Service Learning:Service Learning:

College of Arts and SciencesCollege of Arts and SciencesVillanova UniversityVillanova University

““..because the university needs abundant resources for ..because the university needs abundant resources for is subsistence and growth, it has a tendency to situate is subsistence and growth, it has a tendency to situate itself in the world of power: economic, political, or itself in the world of power: economic, political, or ecclesiastical power…But the most important thing is ecclesiastical power…But the most important thing is that this incarnation amid power tends to distance the that this incarnation amid power tends to distance the university form social reality as lived by the poorest and university form social reality as lived by the poorest and most marginalized. Incarnation in a world of power leads most marginalized. Incarnation in a world of power leads to a disincarnation from the social world of the majority to a disincarnation from the social world of the majority and, in a Christina sense, from the social world most and, in a Christina sense, from the social world most demanded by faith and most apt for living out of demanded by faith and most apt for living out of Christian inspiration. Christian inspiration. Ellacuria, Ignacio, John Sobrino. Ellacuria, Ignacio, John Sobrino. Companions Companions of Jesus. of Jesus. New York: Orbis: 1990, p154 New York: Orbis: 1990, p154

Why ServiceWhy Service Learning?Learning?

“”“”we as an intellectual community must analyze we as an intellectual community must analyze causes, use imagination and creativity together causes, use imagination and creativity together to discover remedies; communicate to our to discover remedies; communicate to our constituencies a consciousness that inspires the constituencies a consciousness that inspires the freedom of self-determination: educate freedom of self-determination: educate professional with a conscience, who will be the professional with a conscience, who will be the immediate instruments of such transformationimmediate instruments of such transformationand continually hone an educational institution and continually hone an educational institution that is excellent and ethically oriented.” that is excellent and ethically oriented.” Ellacuria, Ellacuria, Ignacio and John Sobrino. Ignacio and John Sobrino. Companions of Jesus. Companions of Jesus. New York: Orbis: 1990, p149. New York: Orbis: 1990, p149.

““Service-learning placements also give theology Service-learning placements also give theology students an entrée into multiple cultural worlds students an entrée into multiple cultural worlds so that they can become conscious of their own so that they can become conscious of their own cultural biases. It also helps students to avoid cultural biases. It also helps students to avoid the lurking danger of complete relativism, the the lurking danger of complete relativism, the postmodern mistrust of all meta-narrative and postmodern mistrust of all meta-narrative and any normativity and the surrender to utiliatarian any normativity and the surrender to utiliatarian individualism. “individualism. “

Paul Fitzgerald SJ, “Paul Fitzgerald SJ, “Doing Theology in the CityDoing Theology in the City.” Cross Currents vol.51, No.1 .” Cross Currents vol.51, No.1 spring 2001, p.4spring 2001, p.4

““The cry of the poor for justice and for The cry of the poor for justice and for bread, as challenging as it may be bread, as challenging as it may be (especially if is obliges a person to (especially if is obliges a person to renounce advantage comfort and power renounce advantage comfort and power voluntarily, gains credibility when It is voluntarily, gains credibility when It is heard directly from the poor, and form heard directly from the poor, and form poor people whose humanity has become poor people whose humanity has become manifest through sustained conversation.”manifest through sustained conversation.”

Service Learning is..Service Learning is..

Pedagogical style which engages students in the Pedagogical style which engages students in the community. Students participate in service activity, community. Students participate in service activity, research or a combination to meet the needs of a poor research or a combination to meet the needs of a poor community as they are defined by that community. community as they are defined by that community. Students will integrate that service into their coursework Students will integrate that service into their coursework with direction from the faculty member teaching the with direction from the faculty member teaching the course. This type of learning requires reflection on their course. This type of learning requires reflection on their experience in an organized manner through discussion experience in an organized manner through discussion and journals. Students will serve, reflect and give the and journals. Students will serve, reflect and give the community the benefits of their study. community the benefits of their study.

What is Service Learning•Rooted in the curriculum•Based on community needs•Partnership with community•A positive pedagogical style of

•teaching/learning•Requires faculty involvement•Research and Action

What it isn’tIt is not a service program.

It is not gratuitous

Types•Curriculum based (4 types)

•Internships•Summer programs

•Study abroad

Arts and SciencesWe will incorporate service learningWe will incorporate service learning

into established curriculuminto established curriculum

We will create courses We will create courses designed with a designed with a

community need in mind.community need in mind.

We will promote the common good We will promote the common good by allowing our gifts to serve the poorby allowing our gifts to serve the poor

and or the earth by direct and or the earth by direct service or research that will benefit life.service or research that will benefit life.

Service Learning is…Service Learning is…

Experiential Experiential

EducationEducation (Dewey-(Dewey-

Learning occurs through cycle Learning occurs through cycle of action and reflection) of action and reflection) – Improve depth of a particular Improve depth of a particular

field of knowledgefield of knowledge

– Improves self directed life long Improves self directed life long learninglearning

Abstract conceptualizationSo what?

Active experimentationWhat now?

Concrete experienceWhat?

Reflection observationDescription in journal

What?

Service Learning is Faith and Service Learning is Faith and Mission in ActionMission in Action

Making connections to the Mission of the Making connections to the Mission of the University as it seeks to promote justice in the University as it seeks to promote justice in the world.world.Caring for the Common GoodPromotes Spiritual GrowthFinding common humanity in diversity through personal connections Preferential Option for the PoorLiving Catholic Social TeachingDeveloping values

Service Learning Develops CitizenshipService Learning Develops Citizenship

● ● Requires reflection on issues that concern the Requires reflection on issues that concern the communitycommunity

● ● Promotes a commitment to improve Promotes a commitment to improve conditions in the worldconditions in the world

● ● Seeks to increase Community/Political Seeks to increase Community/Political engagementengagement

● ● Desires Reciprocity Desires Reciprocity

● ● Develops Leadership Develops Leadership

And Promotes Ethical and Moral And Promotes Ethical and Moral DevelopmentDevelopment

““Judging the quality of a college education by Judging the quality of a college education by asking if students see the connection between asking if students see the connection between

what they learn and how they live, looking for the what they learn and how they live, looking for the deeper significance, for the moral dilemmas of deeper significance, for the moral dilemmas of

and the ethical responses. The college and the ethical responses. The college succeeds if it’s graduates are inspired by a succeeds if it’s graduates are inspired by a larger vision, using the knowledge that have larger vision, using the knowledge that have

acquired to form values and advance the acquired to form values and advance the common good.” (Boyer, page 296)common good.” (Boyer, page 296)

Student like service Learning. Students value the Student like service Learning. Students value the connection of their passion to their learning: when the connection of their passion to their learning: when the personal and the intellectual are connected. personal and the intellectual are connected. Where is the Where is the Service in Service Learning. Service in Service Learning. Eyler and GilesEyler and Giles

Increased interaction with faculty (Astin & Sax 1998)Increased interaction with faculty (Astin & Sax 1998)Greater relevance of coursework to career clarification Greater relevance of coursework to career clarification (Keen, Keen, 1998)(Keen, Keen, 1998)Stronger commitment to social responsibility (Astin&Sax, Stronger commitment to social responsibility (Astin&Sax, Gray,…1999)Gray,…1999)Improved ability to think critically about complex Improved ability to think critically about complex problems (Batchelder and Root 1994)problems (Batchelder and Root 1994)Increased racial understanding (Vogelgesang and Astin)Increased racial understanding (Vogelgesang and Astin)Increased satisfaction with learning experience (Gray et Increased satisfaction with learning experience (Gray et al 1998)al 1998)Spiritual Growth Spiritual Growth

What are the benefits of Service Learning

Role of the Office of Service LearningRole of the Office of Service Learning

Provide context for service: Making faculty aware of placement Provide context for service: Making faculty aware of placement possibilities.possibilities.Build community partnershipsBuild community partnershipsCoordinate transportation, reflection sessions outside the Coordinate transportation, reflection sessions outside the classroom, keeping track of student hours of serviceclassroom, keeping track of student hours of serviceTeaching Pure Service Learning CourseTeaching Pure Service Learning CourseProvide service learning pedagogy workshops for facultyProvide service learning pedagogy workshops for facultyWorking with Office of Internships for service learning opportunitiesWorking with Office of Internships for service learning opportunitiesWorking with Office of International Studies to Include service Working with Office of International Studies to Include service learning opportunities for students who wish to study abroad.learning opportunities for students who wish to study abroad.Working with disciplines, majors and minors to find programs that fit Working with disciplines, majors and minors to find programs that fit the needs of the students and their intended careers.the needs of the students and their intended careers.

What the office can do for faculty?What the office can do for faculty?

We hope to offer a three day workshop for We hope to offer a three day workshop for faculty faculty – Pedagogy of service learningPedagogy of service learning– Course constructionCourse construction– Meeting community partners and assessing Meeting community partners and assessing

needsneeds– Resources and guidelines for reflectionResources and guidelines for reflection– Guidelines for AssessmentGuidelines for Assessment

Faculty Advisory CouncilFaculty Advisory Council

There is advisory council which will guide There is advisory council which will guide and direct the program as it seeks to and direct the program as it seeks to become and integral part of the College of become and integral part of the College of Arts and Sciences and Villanova Arts and Sciences and Villanova University.University.

Student RolesStudent Roles

Making Meaning of the Experience: Making Meaning of the Experience: Students will be trained to facilitate Students will be trained to facilitate reflection.reflection.

Students will become part of community Students will become part of community partnershippartnership

Students will promote service learning Students will promote service learning classesclasses

Elements of Service Learning Elements of Service Learning Course construction…Course construction…

Service must be an expressed goalService must be an expressed goalDescribe how the service experience will be Describe how the service experience will be measuredmeasuredDescription of placementDescription of placementDescribes how students will demonstrate the Describes how students will demonstrate the knowledge learned in the placementknowledge learned in the placementService must be linked to course contentService must be linked to course contentDescription of reflective processDescription of reflective processExpectations of public dissemination of workExpectations of public dissemination of work

Heffernan, Kerrissa,Ed.D Heffernan, Kerrissa,Ed.D Fundamental of Service-Learning Course Construction: Campus Compact, 2001, p9Fundamental of Service-Learning Course Construction: Campus Compact, 2001, p9

AssessmentAssessment

FacultyFaculty

StudentStudent

Community AgencyCommunity Agency

CollegeCollege

Sample Course ProposalsSample Course Proposals

Course TitleCourse Title: : Peace initiatives and conflict Peace initiatives and conflict resolutionresolution

Course in Peace and Justice on Peace Course in Peace and Justice on Peace initiative and conflict resolutioninitiative and conflict resolutionService Internship: Service Internship: Students in above course would be Students in above course would be

offered an optional service learning experience in Corrymeela, NIoffered an optional service learning experience in Corrymeela, NI or training from the Good Shepherd mediation program in Philadelphia.or training from the Good Shepherd mediation program in Philadelphia.

Service to local Service to local Community: These students would be Community: These students would be required to give 3-4 work shops upon return for members of the required to give 3-4 work shops upon return for members of the

local communitylocal community. . I.e.: workshop for peaceful conflict I.e.: workshop for peaceful conflict resolution for inner city youth, prisoners returning to resolution for inner city youth, prisoners returning to society (Norristown Hospitality Center) and on campus.society (Norristown Hospitality Center) and on campus.

Service Learning CourseService Learning Course

Goals: Goals: Service Learning as pedagogy, exploring the fundamental Service Learning as pedagogy, exploring the fundamental

concepts as well as the effects of praxis and reciprocity on the community. concepts as well as the effects of praxis and reciprocity on the community. This course will Explore the notion of civic and social responsibility.This course will Explore the notion of civic and social responsibility.

Project: Project: Each student in the class would be paired with an Each student in the class would be paired with an Olney High School Student to work on a project with the same Olney High School Student to work on a project with the same theme that would be beneficial to the community. Our students theme that would be beneficial to the community. Our students would teach research and writing skills, take Olney students on a would teach research and writing skills, take Olney students on a tour of the library and research together. (Michelle Grimely, Olney tour of the library and research together. (Michelle Grimely, Olney Service Learning)Service Learning)

Reciprocity: Reciprocity: Students would present projects at High School and Students would present projects at High School and

here at Villanova.here at Villanova.

Other Projects Under ConsiderationOther Projects Under Consideration

English LiteratureEnglish Literature: : Shared book programShared book program

SpanishSpanish: : Acclamo: Organization supporting farm workers and Acclamo: Organization supporting farm workers and immigrantsimmigrants

Criminal JusticeCriminal Justice: : Adult Literacy—female juvenile in court system. Adult Literacy—female juvenile in court system. (this program may be paired with a similar service learning project in (this program may be paired with a similar service learning project in London through EUSA)London through EUSA)

Partnership with Science and Theatre Magic Program through Partnership with Science and Theatre Magic Program through Math/engineering education with gifted program in Olney public schoolsMath/engineering education with gifted program in Olney public schoolsPartnerships with study abroad programs in London, Galway and Northern Partnerships with study abroad programs in London, Galway and Northern Ireland. Increase Service Learning study abroad.Ireland. Increase Service Learning study abroad.Service Learning Internships Catholic Relief Services, PIHService Learning Internships Catholic Relief Services, PIHStudent teaching on Native American Reservation.Student teaching on Native American Reservation.

More reflectionsMore reflections

““The greatest irony is that I had to The greatest irony is that I had to experience their deprivation and suffering experience their deprivation and suffering to hear those more subtle sounds of to hear those more subtle sounds of suffering in our own society and lives The suffering in our own society and lives The greatest beauty is that only through the greatest beauty is that only through the mutual discovery and relief of suffering, mutual discovery and relief of suffering, and by the grace of their transcendent, and by the grace of their transcendent, liberating, and redemptive love, can we liberating, and redemptive love, can we reach the potential to which humans are reach the potential to which humans are called. called. J. Trufant BSN 01J. Trufant BSN 01

I was overcome with questions. Whose fault is I was overcome with questions. Whose fault is this? What is my role in this situation? Have I this? What is my role in this situation? Have I contributed to the problem? What is my contributed to the problem? What is my responsibility to change this? Can I change responsibility to change this? Can I change this? I began to form my own opinions. The this? I began to form my own opinions. The poverty, crime, and treatment of the Mexicans poverty, crime, and treatment of the Mexicans are inhumane. Nobody should have to live like are inhumane. Nobody should have to live like that and endure that life. It left me with the that and endure that life. It left me with the question, when and what privileges are we, am I, question, when and what privileges are we, am I, willing and ready to sacrifice so that million of willing and ready to sacrifice so that million of others can have a decent life. others can have a decent life. Ryan Vealy, ‘05Ryan Vealy, ‘05

I I am changed forever. I look at all people differently now. Sometimes for am changed forever. I look at all people differently now. Sometimes for

better, sometimes for worse. I see more clearly than ever the widespread better, sometimes for worse. I see more clearly than ever the widespread apathy and powerlessness that people feel when I comes to social change. apathy and powerlessness that people feel when I comes to social change. It infuriates me, filling my heat with a pain so deep I cannot bear it. It is this It infuriates me, filling my heat with a pain so deep I cannot bear it. It is this pain, which is with me always, which moves me to act. I did not allow pain, which is with me always, which moves me to act. I did not allow myself to be empowered; to experience what real change can happen when myself to be empowered; to experience what real change can happen when people interact with love and good will in their hearts. …I did not want to people interact with love and good will in their hearts. …I did not want to know how difficult life is for people in South African townships, I didn’t want know how difficult life is for people in South African townships, I didn’t want to know how many of our Villanova University garments are made by to know how many of our Villanova University garments are made by women and children in horrible conditions, and I certainly did not want to women and children in horrible conditions, and I certainly did not want to know how widespread racial discriminating is, from Cape town to know how widespread racial discriminating is, from Cape town to Philadelphia. The point is, however, that I am a bettered person for it, I am a Philadelphia. The point is, however, that I am a bettered person for it, I am a changed person. I know that I can fight to change these problems. Actions changed person. I know that I can fight to change these problems. Actions must come, but it must arise in a knowing mind, a loving heat and a caring must come, but it must arise in a knowing mind, a loving heat and a caring spirit. Only then can we be sure we work for everyone. Neil Barratt VU, BA spirit. Only then can we be sure we work for everyone. Neil Barratt VU, BA 0202

Corruption, capitalism and labor Corruption, capitalism and labor exploitation has created this unequal exploitation has created this unequal distribution of love and resources. I hope distribution of love and resources. I hope to change this one day. I want to become to change this one day. I want to become the president of Venezuela, and one day I the president of Venezuela, and one day I will give back to my people what they gave will give back to my people what they gave me: sense of belonging in this loving me: sense of belonging in this loving world. B. Singer VU ‘04world. B. Singer VU ‘04

College of Arts and SciencesCollege of Arts and SciencesOffice of Service LearningOffice of Service Learning

Villanova UniversityVillanova University

February 2006February 2006

Noreen CameronNoreen Cameron

Mary Aiello Mary Aiello

Student reflections form ServiceStudent reflections form Service

““..this improved my leadership and ..this improved my leadership and communication skills...gave me a whole communication skills...gave me a whole new perspective on life, taught me that new perspective on life, taught me that money is not all that matters, and I should money is not all that matters, and I should live life to the fullest. I am going to open live life to the fullest. I am going to open minded, accepting of people, putting huge minded, accepting of people, putting huge sums of money back to give back to sums of money back to give back to society and love.society and love.

NeedsNeeds

Community PartnersCommunity Partners

TransportationTransportation

Grants and fellowship money for students Grants and fellowship money for students and faculty. and faculty.

Faculty incentives for teaching service Faculty incentives for teaching service learninglearning

Web SiteWeb Site

Faculty advisory boardFaculty advisory board