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Purposeful Civic Learning:The Missing Link in Service-Learning
Josh Young and Ossie HanauerMiami Dade College
Center for Community InvolvementGulf South Summit – April 2005
Workshop Objectives
To define “civic learning” To explore the connection between civic
learning and service-learning To identify civic learning objectives,
classroom strategies/student assignments, & assessment ideas
To create a plan to add “purposeful civic learning” to service-learning projects
What is Service-Learning?
Service-LearningService-learning is a course-based, credit-bearing educational experience that allows students to (a) participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs, and (b) reflect on the service activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility.
Bringle & Hatcher, 1995
Howard, Jeffrey. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning. OCSL Press, The University of Michigan
Purposeful Civic LearningThe addition of relevant and meaningful service with the
community must not only serve the community and enhance academic
learning in the course, but also directly and intentionally prepare
students for active civic participation in a diverse democratic society.
Purposeful Civic Learning•Why is “purposeful civic learning”
important?
•Is enough attention being paid to civic learning’s role in service-learning?
•What are the consequences of not paying sufficient attention to purposeful
civic learning?
“No one is born a good citizen; no nation is born a democracy. Rather,
both are processes that continue to evolve over a lifetime. Young people
must be included from birth. A society that cuts itself off from its youth
severs its lifeline.”
---Kofi Anun, United Nations Secretary-General
What is Civic Responsibility?
Civic ResponsibilityActive participation in the public
life of a community in an informed, committed, and
constructive manner, with a focus on the common good.
A Practical Guide for Integrating Civic Responsibility into the Curriculum,
Community College Press, Gottlieb, Karla and Robinson, Gail, Editors
Civic Learning
Civic Responsibility
Civic Engagement
Civic Learning
Civic Responsibility
Civic Engagement
Articulated – But Not Addressed
“The theme of civic responsibility/civic participation/citizenship is the most
frequently articulated student outcome…. In contrast, college students, faculty, staff,
and administrators barely mentioned notions of citizenship in describing the
outcomes of service-learning.”
---Marilyn W. Smith, Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, Fall 1994
Articulated – But Not Addressed
“If an enhanced sense of civic responsibility is indeed a priority, we
cannot assume that students automatically connect their service
participation to concepts of civic participation and citizenship.”
---Marilyn W. Smith, Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, Fall 1994
Education’s Role in Democracy
“We [higher education] educate a large proportion of the citizens who bother to vote, not to mention most of the politicians, journalists, and news commentators. We also educate all the school administrators and teachers, who in turn educate everyone at the pre-college level. And we do much to shape the pre-college curriculum through what we require of our college applicants. In short, not only have we helped create the problems that plague American democracy, but we are also in a position to begin doing something about them. If higher education doesn’t start giving citizenship and democracy much greater priority, who will?”
---Alexander Astin, professor and director of the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA (The Chronicle of Higher Education, 10/6/95)
Higher Education’s Role in Promoting Citizenship
Reflection Questions:• Do you think that our educational institutions are preparing
students for a life of engaged, democratic citizenship?• How does service learning play a role in giving citizenship
and democracy greater priority?• What specifically can higher education do to give citizenship
and democracy greater priority?• Will involvement in service learning necessarily foster civic
responsibility in students?• How can we create a culture of civic engagement that results
in a more humane and just society?
From a Student’s Journal….
“Serving at the homeless shelter was a wonderful experience. I hope someday my daughter will have this opportunity.”
“When I was young I used to volunteer in a soup kitchen and they
thought I was wonderful. When I asked why there were soup
kitchens, they thought I was a radical.”
---Senator Paul Wellstone
Civic Learning Academic Learning Democratic Citizenship Learning Diversity Learning Political Learning Leadership Learning Inter- and Intra-Personal Learning Social Responsibility Learning
Purposeful Civic Learning Objectives
Civic Knowledge Civic Skills Civic Values
Purposeful Civic Learning Worksheet
•Learning Objectives
•Classroom Strategies
•Student Assignments
•Assessing Learning
Selected Activities from “A Practical Guide for Integrating Civic
Responsibility into the Curriculum”
Discuss articles, quotations, or videos that present different images of civic engagement
Have students write their “citizenship resume” summarizing their experiences with civic engagement
Ask students 1) what kind of society they want, and 2) what role civic responsibility plays
Selected Activities from “A Practical Guide for Integrating Civic
Responsibility into the Curriculum”
Good citizens possess specific skills, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Have students list as many items as possible under each category
Pose questions like…what does it mean to be a good citizen, what is the connection between civic responsibility and a democratic society, etc..
Have students research the difference between rights and responsibilities and then discuss in class
Selected Activities from “A Practical Guide for Integrating Civic
Responsibility into the Curriculum”
Invite guest speakers/panels of engaged citizens – have students identify who to invite and prepare questions in advance related to civic engagement
Etc….more than 50 additional activities found in the Guide…
“If you think you’re too small to have an impact, try going to
sleep in a room with a mosquito.”
---Anita Roddick, Businesswoman
Civic Learning/Engagement Implementation Plan
What will you do in your courses/at your institution to ensure that purposeful civic
learning occurs and is an integral part of service-learning?
Texts/Resources A Practical Guide for Integrating Civic Responsibility
in the Curriculum, Robinson and Gottlieb, Eds. (www.aacc.nche.edu/servicelearning “Publications”)
The Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, (Vol x, Course Design Workbook) (www.umich.edu/~mserve/faculty/mjcsl.html)
www.mdc.edu/cci - Miami Dade College www.compact.org - Campus Compact National Service-Learning Clearinghouse -
www.servicelearning.org
We challenge you to assure that the next year’s entering students will graduate as individuals of character more sensitive to the needs of community, more competent to contribute to society, and more civil in
habits of thought, speech, and action.
---Wingspread Group Report on Higher Education, 1993