SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY
MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
SERVICE-LEARNING PROJECT REFLECTION For MGMT 490
Reflection Writing: This assignment is optional. If you write, you will earn bonus points worth up to the
maximum of 10 % of your final exam grade. To earn a high mark, you will need to compose your
reflection truly and thoughtfully. The quality of your reflection is important. Your reflection will be
judged not only on the content but also on the writing style. If your submission shows top quality and is
potentially suitable for publication on the PICK (The Journal of outstanding student works from across
the Southeastern Louisiana University), you will earn an extra 5 % of your final exam grade. As a result,
this is a good opportunity for you to improve your grade for the course. If you are interested, I
encourage you to put a good effort in writing this reflection.
For part A: (1 page to 2 pages in length)
Describe what your project is about and what you have contributed to it. The primary purpose is to
allow you to communicate to the reader what your project is about and what you and your group have
done. In addition to the basic background information of “what”, “why”, “how”, “where”, and “when”
of your project, if there is anything interesting, unique, and relevant, you should include them in part A
of your essay.
For part B: (Minimum 1 page and maximum 6 pages in length)
Here are the possible topics that you can develop ideas and write your reflection essay for part B. You
may pick any of the options below.
I.
The first possible topic:
Service learning is defined as a “course-based, credit-bearing educational experience in which students
(a) participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs and (b) reflect on
the service activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of course content, a broader
appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility” [Robert G. Bringle and Julie
A. Hactcher, “A Service-learning Curriculum for Faculty.” Michigan Journal of Community ServiceLearning. 2 (1995): 112]
Use the definition above as a basis for your reflection essay . Include in your essay the following
aspects:
_ The connection between this definition above and the project that you involved and took part in. For
instance, do you see any connection among these three components: (1) what your group has worked
on, (2) what the needs of a partner are, (3) what you have learned from the course and from the
project? If so, describe the connection. If not, why not?
_ The values in terms of “gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the
discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility” from your personal perspective. You may use
one or more incidents throughout the project to elaborate on the values.
_ Any lessons learned from this service learning project.
II.
The second possible topic:
Write your essay that elaborate on all of the following points:
. Service learning as a meaningful experience : What is most memorable, interesting, or impressive to
you in this whole service learning project? OR what is the most frustrating and difficult part in the
project for you?
. Describe one or more actual incidents or processes that you encountered in your project and elaborate
on how they are related to the content/materials from the course.
. Your insight/feeling/awareness of the community needs and your ability to contribute in the future.
Assess your perception of the community needs before and after getting involved in the project.
. Your interpretation of the responsibility and the importance of giving back to the community. Is there
any change in your attitude and belief? If so, focus on this transformation.
III. The third possible topic:
If you are invited to return to a future class to share your experience to a group of students who are
about to engage in a service learning project, what would you tell them in a 3-5 minute speech about
your service learning project in this class, your application of the knowledge from the course to this
project, your own perspective on the meaning of this experience, and any other positive impacts?
*With this possible topic, you may be asked to record your speech on a video. The instructor can supply
the video equipment to you if needed.
IV. Your own topic:
You may come up with your own topic and write what you believe to be important. However, it must be
related to the project, the spirit of the service learning definition (provided above), and the meaning of
your work. It must also show your reflection with deeper and broader implications rather than mere
description of events.
*With this possible topic, you may be asked to record your speech on a video. The instructor can supply
the video equipment to you if needed.
For part C:
Complete a survey online to be provided by the instructor.