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Civic Learning Outcomes

Every service-learning experience focuses on at least one civic learning outcome that aligns with the course. Civic learning relates to the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes necessary to make a difference in one’s community. Some categories of civic learning include issue analysis, cultural self-awareness, community involvement, communication, empathy, and ethical decision-making. See specific examples in the following sections.

Which one might align with your course and SL project? 

Knowledge

As a result of this SL class, students should be able to describe/explain/analyze the following:

  • COMMUNITY ISSUES: Investigate a local community-identified need and available assets.  Analyze a community issue(s) including potential root causes.
  • DISCIPLINE: Analyze how the discipline or profession can contribute to short-term well being and/or greater long-term social well being. Describe how the profession may inadvertently perpetuate the issue.
  • ETHICS: Develop an understanding of ethical behavior in the context of the profession or discipline with regard to issues of societal well-being.
  • MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES:  Explain multiple perspectives on this issue (e.g. how different perspectives explain the root causes of the issue and possible solutions).
  • POLICY: Analyze how specific policies may influence this issue (think institutional, local, national, or international).
  • COMMUNITY CONTEXTS:  Describe the strengths and challenges of different types of organizations (e.g. nonprofit, public, for profit, etc) which are currently addressing this issue. Identify community-based public and private programs that provide assistance and advocacy.

Skills

As a result of this SL class, students should be able to:

  • Recognize, articulate, and apply an understanding of different perspectives to problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Communicate and listen effectively to people with different perspectives and engage in respectful dialog.
  • Demonstrate intercultural communication skills, reciprocity, and responsiveness.
  • Apply creative thinking and problem-solving to community issues.
  • Translate ideas, concerns, and findings into appropriate and responsible individual or collaborative actions to improve conditions.

Abilities to Reflect – Self and Social Awareness

As a result of this SL class, students should be able to:

  • Analyze one’s own assumptions, values, and stereotypes.
  • Explain one’s social identities and how that may impact their assumptions and interactions.
  • Identify the strengths of people who are different from themselves.
  • Question how their decisions and consumer choices impact this issue.

Values and Attitudes

As a result of this SL class, we want students to:

  • Value multiple perspectives.

  • Reflect on how the context and meaning of our lives have relationships to something bigger.

  • Be willing to question prevailing assumptions.

  • Develop empathy.

  • Model humility.

  • Desire to be involved in public problem-solving activities.