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