Preparing to Serve: The American Democracy Project in the Communication Classroom

• In Event: Service Learning Discussion Circles Turns 10: Celebrate Service-Learning in Communication Classrooms

Abstract

The historic numbers of newly registered young voters that in large part led to President Obama’s historic victory last November show that, if well oriented, students in our communication classes are perfect candidates to answer the presidential call to citizen service. One way to create an appetite for service among our students is to ensure that our classes become involved in the American Democracy Project for Civic Engagement (ADP), as I have done recently in my public speaking sections.

My institution’s newly-appointed president introduced us to the American Democracy project just last year. The initiative, a joint effort between the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and The New York Times, is directed toward undergraduates at public institutions of higher education. According to the ADP mission statement, the project “seeks to create a greater intellectual understanding and commitment to participation in the civic life of the United States.” Just in the last year, Dalton State has staged a Constitution Day focusing on freedom of speech and celebrated a Martin Luther King Day of Service. Later this year, my institution will participate in “Hands On Georgia Week,” where many of our students will serve throughout the state in a variety of service projects, all of which could involve service learning components.

So my proposed presentation would explain how to get your institution involved with the American Democracy Project and show how service learning opportunities are enhanced once you’ve done so. I would talk about my experience doing this in public speaking and suggest ways that other communication classes could become similarly involved. I would also, through our ADP campus coordinator’s office, be able to bring lots of resource materials. Overall, I would emphasize that involvement with ADP promotes a culture of service, one totally in line with the winds of change in Washington and with the “stability” (in my case, traditional type speeches with traditional support materials) and “change” (service learning opportunities within a core course) components of NCA’s 2009 convention theme.

Author

• Nick Carty, Dalton State College