Service Learning Guide: Service Learning Reflection Assignments

Service Learning Guide: Service Learning Reflection Assignments

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Source:

Knapp, Tim. 2001."Syllabus: Sociology 420 Social Inequality." Pp. 122-124 in Service-Learning and Undergraduate Sociology: Syllabi and Instructional Materials , edited by B. Marsteller Kowalewski, M. Ender, and J. DeFiore. Washington D.C.: American Sociological Association.

I. First Writing Assignment

There are a number of objectives that I have for students enrolled in service-learning, however, there are two fundamental goals. One is that students develop a deeper understanding of the meaning or citizenship, and, the other is that they learn more about social inequality. This first assignment deals with the meaning and practice of citizenship in today's society and you personally. In two, double-spaced typed pages, address the issues that I outline below. Do not read any articles or reference books, just take some time to reflect, then answer the questions honestly and directly.

1. Describe what the term "community" means to you.

2. Describe what the term "citizenship" means to you.

3. Tell me what the term "service" means to you.

4. Do you feel that membership (citizenship) in a community necessarily includes an obligation to serve others through volunteer work? If so, why is service a necessary aspect of citizenship, and how much service is appropriately expected of community members? If not, why isn't service a necessary component of membership (citizenship) in a community?

5. Why did you enroll in this class?

6. What do you personally hope to get out of volunteering with a nonprofit agency?

7. Why did you select the agency to volunteer at that you did?

8. What do you hope to learn by working there?

9. Do you see any connections between your personal motives and goals (answers to Q5-7 above) and the general aspects of citizenship and community that you addressed at the beginning of this paper?

Thanks for taking the time to think about these questions. I bet that by the end of the exercise, you will have clarified your own conception of "citizenship" and learned a bit about yourself in the process.

II. The Final Writing Assignment

Write a two page paper in which you thoughtfully, thoroughly address the following questions. The first question is very general, and the next three are more focused. This is an exercise to stimulate your reflection, so take a good deal of time to think about the questions before you begin to write. You should also write a draft of the paper, reflect upon what you have written in total, then revise the paper to represent your deepest thoughts. The deadline for turning in your paper is _______________________.

In general, what are the most important things that you have learned through your experiences at the community organization? How did your experiences as a volunteer affect the way you think about the issues and/or clients that the organization deals with? What have you learned about social inequality through your volunteer work? What have you personally learned about yourself from your service this semester?

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