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Readings to explain SL / motivate students

Soul of a Citizen

“Soul of a Citizen” (5 page excerpt)

Loeb, P. R. (1999). Soul of a Citizen: Living with conviction in a cynical time. New York: St. Martin’s Griffin.
This short excerpt from Soul of a Citizen highlights four aspects of citizenship and social change: 1) Cooperation helped the local fishery become more sustainable, 2) Change occurs slowly as presented in Rosa Park’s training before her refusal to move to the back of the bus, 3) Anyone can be an agent of social change, not only saints, 4) And finally, we only let our excuses of inaction solidify if we don’t accept our imperfections and open our minds to continue to learn.
Disciplines: Environmental Studies, Biology, Sociology, Communications, Social Work, University Foundations

  1. Why does the author present the inequalities of wealth as an element to why you should be an active citizen?
  2. What do you think the Ethiopian proverb “He who conceals his disease cannot be cured” means in this article?
  3. (Science) What elements/strategies were successful in Pete Knutson’s quest to make the Puget Sound a more sustainable fishery?
  4. How does change happen and what did you learn about Rosa Park’s experience?
  5. Why is thinking about social change agents as “saints” not helpful?
  6. What, if anything, stands in the way of action?

To Hell with Good Intentions by Ivan Ilich

“To Hell with Good Intentions” – Ivan Ilich – 6 pages (cautions students against the “I’m going to fix those people” mentality)
Disciplines:  Politics, University Foundations, Social Work, Sociology, Communications, Non-Profit Management

  1. Why does Illich find the American volunteers’ “work” in Mexico offensive?
  2. What do you think of Illich’s claim that “There is no way for you to really meet with the underprivileged since there is no common ground whatsoever for you to meet on”? Do you agree that there is no common ground?
  3. Do you agree with Illich’s claim that we should take responsibility for what is happening in American communities before we take responsibility for the greater world?
  4. Why does Illich repeatedly refer to the volunteers’ work as a “vacation”?
  5. How do we serve people if we cannot communicate in the same language as them?
  6. Do volunteers serve primarily to receive?
  7. How can volunteers be trained to serve? What should this training entail?
    (questions from http://civicreflection.org/resources/library/browse/to-hell-with-good-intentions)

Starfish Hurling and Community Service

Starfish Hurling and Community Service – Keith Morton – 2 pages (a critique of “every little bit helps”; requires discussion afterward)
Disciplines: Sociology, Communications, Social Work

  • Click for a movie with a similar theme: http://www.thestarfishthrowers.com/
  • Reflect on this quote by Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
    • Write a short paragraph response on your thoughts and feelings about the quote.

Aristotle, Selections from Politics

Aristotle Selections from Politics
Disciplines: Political Science, Sociology, Public Administration, Leadership, University Foundations

Overview: Aristotle asserts that every human association or community serves some good while the political community, the complete form of association, serves the highest good of all. He discusses the levels of organizations and their merits towards the good of all.

Questions to consider:

  1. What constitutes community?
  2. What is the good life?
  3. How might Service-Learning connect to Aristotle’s good life?