Capstone Action Project: Pathway to a Future of Social Responsibility

• In Event: Capturing the Senior Experience: Responsive Capstone Courses Promote Stability through the Recognition for Change

Abstract

This capstone service-learning experience challenges seniors in our field of study to do more than contemplate their responsibilities as future communication professionals. After students research, write and discuss: “Now that we know what we think we know, what are our responsibilities?” they take action. The students are asked to identify local, state or national concerns found in print or online broadcast media. Once the various “issues” are presented, students collect under an issue of interest and form groups. The classroom transforms! The projects are given “a go ahead” for implementation when each project group has developed a clearly stated objective, obtainable goals, a break-down of point allocations for project tasks among members, and a detailed timeline. The Action Project concludes when students present their service-learning experiences to the entire class, submit a portfolio with compiled evidence of the tasks planned and accomplished, along with a narrative detailing personal attitudes, feelings and thoughts on the experience. Learning to construct pathways for change empowers students to own their social responsibilities.

Author

• Karyl Sabbath, Otterbein College