Does Service Learning Provide a Civic Service?

• In Event: TLC at APSA: Civic Engagement: Learning by Doing

Abstract

Service learning is often promoted as a means to encourage and support college students’ civic engagement and attitudes toward community and political participation. This paper presents the findings from a study designed to evaluate the short term effects of service learning on students' attitudes towards civic engagement. The study was conducted at a mid-sized liberal arts college in Massachusetts in Fall 2018, a mid-term election year. Five sections of an introductory level Politics of the United States course were given surveys at both the beginning and end of the semester to determine their levels of participation and attitudes toward civic engagement. Two of the sections had a required service learning component, two had an optional component, and one had no service learning during the semester. The paper uses this distribution of approaches to evaluate the relationship between service learning and civic engagement. In so doing, the paper aims both to contribute to debates over the value of service learning and to offer insight into the best approach to its implementation.

Authors

• Kevin J. McGravey, Merrimack College

• Anne FB Flaherty, Merrimack College

• Harry Wessel, Merrimack College

• Mary A. McHugh, Merrimack College

• John L. Lovett, Merrimack College