Academic Civic Engagement Student Outcomes

Bringing Theory to Practice Grant Project Faculty Learning Community

Academic civic engagement (ACE) is an approach to teaching and learning that encourages students to learn in community contexts.  Students consider community-based experiences in relation to classroom learning and apply academic knowledge and skills to strengthen communities as an integrated component of an academic course.  Academic civic engagement includes pedagogical approaches commonly referred to as community-based research, service-learning, community-based learning and public scholarship and is often expressed through partnerships with a community-based organization. During the 2010-11 academic year it is expected that over 450 students from over 25 courses will participate in academic civic engagement courses.

When it is well-conceived, academic civic engagement promotes the development of any of a number of skills and academic proficiencies, including written and oral communication, critical thinking, intercultural competency, informational literacy and problem-solving.  Through concrete experience and integrated reflection, students are challenged to consider their strengths, weaknesses, values, interests and goals—their vocations.  Academic civic engagement integrates opportunities to examine and address critical local and global issues with academic learning and reflection, thus serving as an especially powerful pedagogy to foster knowledgeable and responsible citizenship.  In addition, academic civic engagement facilitates the development of skills, habits of mind and relationships that prepare students for future internship, research, civic leadership and work roles.

It is expected that every ACE Course will foster several, but not necessarily all, of the following student outcomes:

Through participation in an academic civic engagement course, students will demonstrate increased…

1. Civic knowledge
Ability to describe the social, political and historical contexts of civic/community organizations.

2. Civic learning
Ability to apply academic knowledge and proficiencies (such as written and oral communication, teamwork, critical and creative thinking, information literacy, intercultural competency, quantitative skills, etc.) in service of a civic/community aim.

3. Civic self-understanding
Ability to evaluate one’s academic knowledge and proficiencies (such as written and oral communication, teamwork, critical and creative thinking, information literacy, intercultural competency, etc.).

4. Civic reflection
Ability to describe and evaluate one’s civic/community aims and accomplishments.

5. Civic efficacy
Confidence in one’s ability to contribute effectively to civic and community endeavors.

6. Civic action
Commitment to pursue civic, community and work roles that foster the common good.

7. Vocational integration
Ability to articulate how to use one’s knowledge and skills to contribute in personal, civic or work roles.

Drafted November 5th, 2010 by Mary Carlsen, Bruce Dalgaard, Eric Fure-Slocum, Dana Gross,
Dan Hofrenning, Naurine Lennox, Paul Roback, Kathy Tegtmeyer Pak and Nate Jacobi (CEL)

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