Service Learning:
College of Arts and Sciences
Villanova University
Why Service Learning?
“..because the university needs abundant resources for
is subsistence and growth, it has a tendency to situate
itself in the world of power: economic, political, or
ecclesiastical power…But the most important thing is
that this incarnation amid power tends to distance the
university form social reality as lived by the poorest and
most marginalized. Incarnation in a world of power leads
to a disincarnation from the social world of the majority
and, in a Christina sense, from the social world most
demanded by faith and most apt for living out of
Christian inspiration. Ellacuria, Ignacio, John Sobrino. Companions
of Jesus. New York: Orbis: 1990, p154
“”we as an intellectual community must analyze
causes, use imagination and creativity together
to discover remedies; communicate to our
constituencies a consciousness that inspires the
freedom of self-determination: educate
professional with a conscience, who will be the
immediate instruments of such transformation
and continually hone an educational institution
that is excellent and ethically oriented.” Ellacuria,
Ignacio and John Sobrino. Companions of Jesus. New York: Orbis: 1990, p149.
“Service-learning placements also give theology
students an entrée into multiple cultural worlds
so that they can become conscious of their own
cultural biases. It also helps students to avoid
the lurking danger of complete relativism, the
postmodern mistrust of all meta-narrative and
any normativity and the surrender to utiliatarian
individualism. “
“The cry of the poor for justice and for
bread, as challenging as it may be
(especially if is obliges a person to
renounce advantage comfort and power
voluntarily, gains credibility when It is
heard directly from the poor, and form poor
people whose humanity has become
manifest through sustained conversation.”
Paul Fitzgerald SJ, “Doing Theology in the City.” Cross Currents vol.51, No.1
spring 2001, p.4
Service Learning is..
Pedagogical style which engages students in the
community. Students participate in service activity,
research or a combination to meet the needs of a poor
community as they are defined by that community.
Students will integrate that service into their coursework
with direction from the faculty member teaching the
course. This type of learning requires reflection on their
experience in an organized manner through discussion
and journals. Students will serve, reflect and give the
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
Arts and Sciences
We will incorporate service learning
into established curriculum
What it isn’t
It is not a service program.
It is not gratuitous
Types
•Curriculum based (4 types)
•Internships
•Summer programs
•Study abroad
We will create courses
designed with a
community need in mind.
We will promote the common good
by allowing our gifts to serve the poor
and or the earth by direct
service or research that will benefit life.
Service Learning is…
Experiential
Education
(Dewey-
Learning occurs through cycle
of action and reflection)
– Improve depth of a particular
field of knowledge
– Improves self directed life long
learning
Concrete experience
What?
Reflection observation
Description in journal
What?
Active experimentation
What now?
Abstract conceptualization
So what?
Service Learning is Faith and
Mission in Action
Making connections to the Mission of the
University as it seeks to promote justice in the
world.
Caring for the Common Good
Promotes Spiritual Growth
Finding common humanity in diversity through
personal connections
Preferential Option for the Poor
Living Catholic Social Teaching
Developing values
Service Learning Develops Citizenship
● Requires reflection on issues that concern the
community
● Promotes a commitment to improve
conditions in the world
● Seeks to increase Community/Political
engagement
● Desires Reciprocity
● Develops Leadership
And Promotes Ethical and Moral
Development
“Judging the quality of a college education by
asking if students see the connection between
what they learn and how they live, looking for the
deeper significance, for the moral dilemmas of
and the ethical responses. The college
succeeds if it’s graduates are inspired by a
larger vision, using the knowledge that have
acquired to form values and advance the
common good.” (Boyer, page 296)
What are the benefits of Service Learning
Student like service Learning. Students value the
connection of their passion to their learning: when the
personal and the intellectual are connected. Where is the
Service in Service Learning. Eyler and Giles
Increased interaction with faculty (Astin & Sax 1998)
Greater relevance of coursework to career clarification
(Keen, Keen, 1998)
Stronger commitment to social responsibility (Astin&Sax,
Gray,…1999)
Improved ability to think critically about complex
problems (Batchelder and Root 1994)
Increased racial understanding (Vogelgesang and Astin)
Increased satisfaction with learning experience (Gray et
al 1998)
Spiritual Growth
Role of the Office of Service Learning
Provide context for service: Making faculty aware of placement
possibilities.
Build community partnerships
Coordinate transportation, reflection sessions outside the classroom,
keeping track of student hours of service
Teaching Pure Service Learning Course
Provide service learning pedagogy workshops for faculty
Working with Office of Internships for service learning opportunities
Working with Office of International Studies to Include service
learning opportunities for students who wish to study abroad.
Working with disciplines, majors and minors to find programs that fit
the needs of the students and their intended careers.
What the office can do for faculty?
We hope to offer a three day workshop for
faculty
– Pedagogy of service learning
– Course construction
– Meeting community partners and assessing
needs
– Resources and guidelines for reflection
– Guidelines for Assessment
Faculty Advisory Council
There is advisory council which will guide
and direct the program as it seeks to
become and integral part of the College of
Arts and Sciences and Villanova
University.
Student Roles
Making Meaning of the Experience:
Students will be trained to facilitate
reflection.
Students will become part of community
partnership
Students will promote service learning
classes
Elements of Service Learning
Course construction…
Service must be an expressed goal
Describe how the service experience will be
measured
Description of placement
Describes how students will demonstrate the
knowledge learned in the placement
Service must be linked to course content
Description of reflective process
Expectations of public dissemination of work
Heffernan, Kerrissa,Ed.D
Fundamental of Service-Learning Course Construction: Campus Compact, 2001, p9
Assessment
Faculty
Student
Community Agency
College
Sample Course Proposals
Course Title: Peace initiatives and conflict
resolution
Course in Peace and Justice on Peace
initiative and conflict resolution
Service Internship: Students in above course would be
offered an optional service learning experience in Corrymeela, NI or
training from the Good Shepherd mediation program in Philadelphia.
Service to local Community: These students would be
required to give 3-4 work shops upon return for members of the local
community I.e.: workshop for peaceful conflict resolution
.
for inner city youth, prisoners returning to society
(Norristown Hospitality Center) and on campus.
Service Learning Course
Goals: Service Learning as pedagogy, exploring the fundamental
concepts as well as the effects of praxis and reciprocity on the community.
This course will Explore the notion of civic and social responsibility.
Project:
Each student in the class would be paired with an
Olney High School Student to work on a project with the same
theme that would be beneficial to the community. Our students
would teach research and writing skills, take Olney students on a
tour of the library and research together. (Michelle Grimely, Olney
Service Learning)
Reciprocity: Students would present projects at High School and
here at Villanova.
Other Projects Under Consideration
:
English Literature
Shared book program
:
Acclamo: Organization supporting farm workers and
immigrants
Spanish
:
Criminal Justice Adult Literacy—female juvenile in court system.
(this program may be paired with a similar service learning project in
London through EUSA)
Partnership with Science and Theatre Magic Program through
Math/engineering education with gifted program in Olney public schools
Partnerships with study abroad programs in London, Galway and Northern
Ireland. Increase Service Learning study abroad.
Service Learning Internships Catholic Relief Services, PIH
Student teaching on Native American Reservation.
More reflections
“The greatest irony is that I had to
experience their deprivation and suffering
to hear those more subtle sounds of
suffering in our own society and lives The
greatest beauty is that only through the
mutual discovery and relief of suffering,
and by the grace of their transcendent,
liberating, and redemptive love, can we
reach the potential to which humans are
called. J. Trufant BSN 01
I was overcome with questions. Whose fault is
this? What is my role in this situation? Have I
contributed to the problem? What is my
responsibility to change this? Can I change
this? I began to form my own opinions. The
poverty, crime, and treatment of the Mexicans
are inhumane. Nobody should have to live like
that and endure that life. It left me with the
question, when and what privileges are we, am I,
willing and ready to sacrifice so that million of
others can have a decent life. Ryan Vealy, ‘05
I am changed forever. I look at all people differently now. Sometimes for
better, sometimes for worse. I see more clearly than ever the widespread
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
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
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
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
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
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
spirit. Only then can we be sure we work for everyone. Neil Barratt VU, BA
02
Corruption, capitalism and labor
exploitation has created this unequal
distribution of love and resources. I hope
to change this one day. I want to become
the president of Venezuela, and one day I
will give back to my people what they gave
me: sense of belonging in this loving
world. B. Singer VU ‘04
College of Arts and Sciences
Office of Service Learning
Villanova University
February 2006
Noreen Cameron
Mary Aiello
Student reflections form Service
“..this improved my leadership and
communication skills...gave me a whole
new perspective on life, taught me that
money is not all that matters, and I should
live life to the fullest. I am going to open
minded, accepting of people, putting huge
sums of money back to give back to
society and love.
Needs
Community Partners
Transportation
Grants and fellowship money for students
and faculty.
Faculty incentives for teaching service
learning
Web Site
Faculty advisory board