Research, Advocacy, and Political Engagement : Multidisciplinary Perspectives Through Service Learning

by Tannenbaum, Sally

• ISBN13: 9781579222437
• ISBN10: 1579222439
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-07-30
• Publisher: Stylus Pub Llc

Summary

As institutions of higher education embrace civic engagement, service learning has emerged as a most effective way to engage students in field experiences where they will confront profound questions of the relevance of academic learning to addressing community needs. Each volume in this series is organized around a specific community issue, and provides multiple perspectives on both the theoretical foundations for understanding the issues, and purposeful approaches to addressing them. The contributors to these books'who represent disciplines in the sciences, humanities and social sciences'offer vivid examples of how they have integrated civic engagement in their courses, explain their objectives, and demonstrate how they assess outcomes. To stimulate adaptation of the approaches described in these books, each volume includes an Activity / Methodology table that summarizes key elements of each example, such as class size, type of community partner, the activity and the methodology or pedagogy employed, and potential applications of the example in other disciplines. This volume presents inventive approaches to using service learning to introduce students to political engagement. The work of faculty representing a wide variety of disciplines, this compilation of innovative and varied courses offers models to adapt and ideas to stimulate the creativity of instructors. The contributors view political engagement from distinct vantage points. Political scientists look at political engagement from a more traditional perspective. Mathematicians develop courses that explore the statistical implications. Economists focus on cost benefit analysis. Business professors provide an entrepreneurial angle. Feminists consider the language implications of political engagement. The chapters in this book describe how teachers in Politics, Education, Urban and Regional Planning, Business, Communications, Sociology, Mathematics, Economics, and Women's Studies have created effective activities that advance disciplinary knowledge, develop collaboration with communities, and engage students in the political process.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Foreword

About This Series

Introduction

Activity/Methodology Table

Contributors

Traditional Approaches To Political Engagement

Beyond Service: Community-Based Research and Political Engagement

Communication in Political Campaigns: Bridging Theory and Practice

Social Research and the Sacramento State Annual Survey of the Region

Making the Census Count: Learning, Service, and Political Engagement

Providing A Business Perspective To Political Engagement

The Economics of Community Action: Applying Cost-Benefit Analysis to Local Public Policy

Selected Case Examples of Service Learning in Business: Social Entrepreneurship

Political Engagement Through Social Activism

Communicating Community: Engaging Silicon Valley Through Student Activism

The Politics of Service Learning in Introduction to Women's Studies: Addressing Social Injustices Through Activism

Using Service Learning to Change Social Structure: The Gulf Coast Civic Works Project

Teaching Others Through Political Engagement

Media Mentors: Nurturing Democratic Ideals Among High School Journalists

An Unconventional Approach to Civic Skill Development and Service Learning

Developing Teachers' Ability to Share Leadership

Service Learning Which Engages Students in the Implementation of Children's Right to Participate in Community Decision Making

Index

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