Community Development and Service Learning

Service Learning Definition

Service-learning is a form of experiential education in which students engage in activities that address human and community needs together with structured opportunities intentionally designed to promote student learning and development. Reflection and reciprocity are key concepts of service-learning. (Jacoby, 1996, p. 5)

Service Learning Process for Sociology Majors

1. Give a summary of the experience. This must include actual dates of field experiences along with copious observations.

2. Write a summary of readings related to this experience. Cite at least five sources. (literature reivew)

3. Write a reflection regarding the service learning experience. Incorporate concepts from the summary of readings (literature review).

4. From a reciprocity viewpoint, write what you learned from those served. How did they change your "ethnocentric" views of "superior" helping "inferior?"

5. How did this experience impact your view as related to your current or future career?

References

Jacoby, B. (1996). Service-learning in today's higher education. In B. Jacoby (Ed.), Service-learning in higher education (pp. 3-25). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. 

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This page was last edited on Thursday January 26, 2006.