Real Service = Real Learning: Making Political Science Relevant through Service-Learning

In: PS: political science & politics, Band 36, Heft 4, S. 773-776

Abstract

Presents several activities from a political science course, Human Rights/Human Wrongs, to demonstrate the value of a service-learning course that blends academic rigor with service & blends community-based experience into the political science classroom. Service learning challenges students to leave their comfort zones to accomplish hands-on work with people within the community. Students were required to apply theoretical knowledge to political asylum cases in the York County Prison, INS detention facility. Cases from Haiti, Nigeria, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Togo, & Liberia were studied with the assistance of the Coalition for Immigrants Rights at the Community Level. A successful program can help students to revisit their prejudices & stereotypes. To successfully carry out such a program, a strong working relationship between the faculty member & the community partner must be developed. 8 References. L. A. Hoffman