Atlanta-based Learning

Atlanta-Based Learning promotes academic and civic engagement within the greater Atlanta community. As an urban research institution in Atlanta, Georgia State offers an opportunity for students to understand the context in which they are developing as learners. While engaged in “Campus Atlanta,” students obtain the comparative advantage of attending an institution directly linked to its urban community. Engaging in Atlanta-Based Learning activities provides students with an opportunity to generate connections between the academic curriculum and the urban Atlanta environment.

The Atlanta-Based learning program is open to all students and can be integrated into various academic courses. Program staff works closely with faculty and academic departments to include ABL activities into undergraduate curriculum. Students can participate individually or as part of a class in Atlanta-Based Learning along a continuum of engagement that includes four dimensions:

The following are some examples of engagement activities:

Learns About - Atlanta settings

• Walking tour of Georgia State campus
• Walking tour of Atlanta to compare and contrast past and present buildings and landmarks

Learns From - Atlanta systems

• Public health class tour Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and learn about health issues in Atlanta
• Urban Studies class meets  with Central Atlanta Progress leaders regarding downtown urban development issues.

Learns With - Atlanta communities

• Pre-law class interviews a community member who attended elementary school during Brown vs Board of Education
• Education class reads to children to improve literacy skills

Learns By - Atlanta service-learning 

• Business class works closely with non-profit agency to design business plan.
• Emerging Leaders class plants trees in the downtown Atlanta area.

The Atlanta-Based Learning staff is available to assist you in developing and implementing engagement opportunities. For more information, please contact:

Atlanta-Based Learning
Elizabeth Firestone, Academic Professional
Office of Undergraduate Studies
224 Sparks Hall
Tel: 404-413-2058
E-mail: efirestone@gsu.edu