Community Practices at the National University of La Pampa. Regulations and experiences

Abstract

The National University of La Pampa in Argentina was one of the pioneers in the regulation of  Community Practices -hereinafter PC-, defined as  learning spaces that transcend the classroom,  with the aim of enriching the professional and  humanistic training of students. The general  regulations establish that the modality of  application of this program allows incorporating  modules within the subjects, seminars,  workshops, spaces for practices already existing in  the curricula, volunteer projects, extension,  research, institutional, among others. This  program grants benefits to the citizens of the  insertion areas of the university and strengthens  ties with social organizations and public  institutions. The PCs were promoted by the  student body in 2011. Its course is mandatory as  of 2017 and a minimum of 40 hours must be  accredited to obtain the degree title. This article  intends, on the one hand, through a documentary  analysis, to know how the Extension regulation  and the new paradigms of the function, could  influence the implementation of PCs. On the other  hand, to carry out a survey of the way in  which each of the faculties defined the  implementation of these spaces in their interior.  At what times during the races can they be held  and how they are organized, as well as the degree  of participation of the community. The final  reflection, leads to deepen in generating more  institutional spaces that allow to promote the  activities between the different Faculties.