What is Learned Through Civic Engagement? Utilizing Lumina's Degree Qualifications Profile to Assess Civic Learning

• In Event: 367 - Section on Teaching and Learning in Sociology Paper Session. Connection, Transfer, and Reflection: How Community Engagement Enhances the Sociological Imagination

Abstract

Spirited discussions and debates about the importance and value of
community-based learning continue to occur at the national level, the disciplinary level, and at individual institutional levels. We now find ourselves at a point in higher education where we must be able to demonstrate that civic learning is occurring during these civic engagement experiences. This paper will; 1.) highlight some of the most current national level discussions about why and how we should assess civic learning, 2.) provide an overview of one model of community based learning in a sociology course at a small private, liberal arts institution, and 3.) offer a set of rubrics developed through work with the Lumina Degree Qualifications Profile (DQP) Civic Learning Objective to assess the civic learning in that course. This author believes that there is promise in utilizing Lumina’s DQP for civic learning when attempting to understand the type and amount of civic learning that is occurring in her course and yours.

Author

• Kelly A. Dagan, Illinois College