Franklin & Marshall Faculty and Students Talk About Community-Based Learning
"As America becomes an increasingly segregated society, both economically and socially, service-learning courses break down barriers and force students to confront some of America's most serious social, political, and economic problems. Through service-learning courses, students don't merely read about our problems, they find themselves smack in the middle of them -- and that involvement makes them more critical readers, better students and thoughtful citizens."
-- Stanley Michalak,
The Hon. And Mrs. John C. Kunkel Professor of Government
"This is more than volunteer work, more than just helping people in the community. The students' time spent in service to the community helps them internalize the concepts they are discussing in the classroom. service learning really works!"
-- Sean Flaherty,
Professor of Economics, Director of Service Learning
"I strongly believe that you can blend academics in the ivory tower with practical knowledge that also helps the community."
-- Susan Dicklitch,
Assistant Professor of Government
"Through my community service experience at the Boys and Girls Club and the arguments posed by Plato and [John Stuart] Mill, my view of citizenship has been solidified and honed to encompass a strong sense of obligation to one's community, to society as a whole, and to other citizens."
-- Kari Scott '05
"Thinking back on my experience teaching "Community and Culture in Metropolitan America", I would have to say that I most value how it broadened our students' perception of community. Over the course of the semester, Lancaster became the "common ground" and established our "common cause." It challenged all of us--students, faculty, and the city itself--to imagine for ourselves new identities, new questions, and new possibilities. What is education, if not that?"
--Linda Aleci,
Associate Professor and Chair, Art & Art History Department
"Central Market is a place to buy groceries but also a place to socialize by talking with friends and stand holders. The Community and Culture course gave me a chance to become part of Central Market's community and my service experience shed light on material from class by allowing me to experience social capital in progress."
-- Eric Bardawil '05
"Working with the kids at Reynolds (Middle School) has put faces on the issues that we read about. I have more of a desire to get involved and understand the issues now that I know the kids whose successes or failures are at stake."
-- Liz Onasch '05
"In doing service on the farm, I am learning more about something I have always had a passion for. I hope to utilize the knowledge I acquire from my service in other aspects of my life."
-- Megan Brace '04
