2003-2004 Sabbatical:
Community Development and Service Learning
Statement of Purpose
The purpose of this sabbatical is fourfold. First, to gain a broader understanding as to how Christian higher education can impact the field of community development. Second, develop a holistic approach to preparing students to serve in this area. Third, create a direct connection between the concept of service learning and the field of community development. Fourth, a strategy and plan to enhance community development and add in the service learning component will be developed.
Plan of Project Proposed
Research
The areas of community development, higher education (Christian and secular), and service learning will be researched. This will involve reviewing the literature of these areas. Literature will include professional journals, professional books, and credible Internet sources. The purpose of this stage of the project is to understand the breath and depth of resources related to this project.
Read
The research stage provides a framework from which the investigator will determine what areas are worthy of in depth reading and reflection. Research often provides breath by skimming, reading will provide depth.
Explore
Researching and reading will provide sources to explore. Exploration might include models from other organizations. Real world application and networking contacts might be drawn from these activities.
Strategize
Blending the investigator’s extensive experience and understanding of MVNU along with researching, reading, and exploring—a strategy will be developed. The purpose of this strategy is to guide MVNU toward enhancing the community development track within sociology and to incorporate at the major level and possibly at the institutional level, service learning.
Develop
In addition to a strategy, certain components may need to be developed to affectively enhance community development as a track in the sociology major and/or service learning. Some components may be beyond the scope of this type of sabbatical and might require additional time and/or resources.
Implement
The intention of the sabbatical is to create an enhancement that can be implemented at MVNU. With appropriate approval, implementation will begin during the 2004-2005 academic year.
Benefits of the Proposed Project
Teaching
Courses such as SOC1023G Social Problems and SOC4044 Sociological Theory will be enhanced by this project in the areas of content and broader understanding of the real world applications. One goal is that many courses within sociology will be positively impacted by this sabbatical project.
Scholarship
Scholarship will be enhanced by the process of researching, reading, and exploring. In terms of tangible evidences of scholarship, an up-to-date account will be posted at www.bolender.com for the purpose of review by the Faculty Development Committee members, other faculty members, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs. A strategy (including various components) resulting from this project will be tangible evidence of scholarship.
Advising
As an advisor, students will benefit by a broader understanding of resources, organizations, real world applications, and network connections for possible career opportunities in community development. The connection of service learning and career opportunities will be directly connected in the advising process.
University Service
The motto of MVNU is “To seek to learn is to seek to serve.” The service learning component of this project has the potential to provide a means to directly enhance the learning experience of MVNU’s students.
Plan of Intention for Spiritual Restoration
As part of the process of researching, reading, and exploring, the Christian concepts of community development and service learning will be reflectively considered. Reflections will be meditative, scriptural, and historical.
Work Area
Community Development and Service Learning Document
Service-Learning in
Higher Education : Concepts and Practices
by
Barbara Jacoby (Author),
Associates (Author)
Where's the Learning
in Service-Learning?
by
Janet Eyler (Author),
Dwight E. Giles Jr. (Author),
Dwight E. Giles
Service-Learning : A
Movement's Pioneers Reflect on Its Origins, Practice, and Future
by
Timothy K. Stanton (Author),
Dwight E. Giles Jr. (Author),
Nadinne I. Cruz (Author)
Community Service and
Higher Learning: Explorations of the Caring Self
by
Robert A. Rhoads
Community-Based
Research and Higher Education : Principles and Practices
by
Kerry J. Strand (Author),
Nicholas Cutforth (Author),
Randy Stoecker (Author),
Sam Marullo (Author),
Patrick Donohue (Author)
Educating Citizens :
Preparing America's Undergraduates for Lives of Moral and Civic Responsibility
by
Anne Colby (Author),
Thomas Ehrlich (Author),
Elizabeth Beaumont (Author),
Jason Stephens (Author)
A Guide to Careers in
Community Development
by
Paul C. Brophy (Author),
Alice Shabecoff (Author)
The Community Economic
Development Movement: Law, Business, and the New Social Policy
by
William H. Simon
The Community Economic
Development Handbook: Strategies and Tools to Revitalize Your Neighborhood
by
Mihailo Temali
2003-2004 Sabbatical Proposal as Accepted by MVNU's Faculty Development Committee
bolender.com Home Page E-mail Me: ronald_bolender@yahoo.com
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