Solving Social Problems: Service Learning in a Core Curriculum Course

Service-learning is a High Impact Practice (AAC&U, 2012; Gonyea, et al., 2008), and a beneficial learning strategy for college students from various backgrounds. In addition, service-learning is a way to engage students in their communities. This paper details the value of a service-learning ass...

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Main Author: Margaret H. Williamson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Kennesaw State University 2017-01-01
Series:Journal of Public and Professional Sociology
Online Access:https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/jpps/vol9/iss1/1/
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author Margaret H. Williamson
author_facet Margaret H. Williamson
author_sort Margaret H. Williamson
collection DOAJ
description Service-learning is a High Impact Practice (AAC&U, 2012; Gonyea, et al., 2008), and a beneficial learning strategy for college students from various backgrounds. In addition, service-learning is a way to engage students in their communities. This paper details the value of a service-learning assignment in an Introduction to Social Problems course. Included in the discussion is the application of L. Dee Fink’s Taxonomy of Significant Learning (Fink, 2003). There are many benefits of incorporating service-learning into an introductory level course. Some benefits include improved student engagement, enhanced socialization, citizenship and self-esteem. These are important for students beginning their collegiate career. Also, this type of engagement may contribute to overall student retention. Some challenges include the time commitment of the students and faculty member; communication between the agency, student and faculty member; and safety. This paper provides detailed information on these and other benefits and challenges.
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spelling doaj-art-e252bdbd15f24e1d8d48501dfb1c055b2025-08-20T03:28:38ZengKennesaw State UniversityJournal of Public and Professional Sociology2154-89352017-01-0191Solving Social Problems: Service Learning in a Core Curriculum CourseMargaret H. Williamson0University of North GeorgiaService-learning is a High Impact Practice (AAC&U, 2012; Gonyea, et al., 2008), and a beneficial learning strategy for college students from various backgrounds. In addition, service-learning is a way to engage students in their communities. This paper details the value of a service-learning assignment in an Introduction to Social Problems course. Included in the discussion is the application of L. Dee Fink’s Taxonomy of Significant Learning (Fink, 2003). There are many benefits of incorporating service-learning into an introductory level course. Some benefits include improved student engagement, enhanced socialization, citizenship and self-esteem. These are important for students beginning their collegiate career. Also, this type of engagement may contribute to overall student retention. Some challenges include the time commitment of the students and faculty member; communication between the agency, student and faculty member; and safety. This paper provides detailed information on these and other benefits and challenges.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/jpps/vol9/iss1/1/
spellingShingle Margaret H. Williamson
Solving Social Problems: Service Learning in a Core Curriculum Course
Journal of Public and Professional Sociology
title Solving Social Problems: Service Learning in a Core Curriculum Course
title_full Solving Social Problems: Service Learning in a Core Curriculum Course
title_fullStr Solving Social Problems: Service Learning in a Core Curriculum Course
title_full_unstemmed Solving Social Problems: Service Learning in a Core Curriculum Course
title_short Solving Social Problems: Service Learning in a Core Curriculum Course
title_sort solving social problems service learning in a core curriculum course
url https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/jpps/vol9/iss1/1/
work_keys_str_mv AT margarethwilliamson solvingsocialproblemsservicelearninginacorecurriculumcourse