Faculty Service-Learning Guidebook: Enacting Equity-Centered Teaching, Partnerships, and Scholarship

This book provides a practical guide to designing, teaching, and coordinating service-learning courses, as well as developing reciprocal community partnerships and community-based research, with a focus on equity and addressing societal disparities. It offers a comprehensive framework for in-person and online service-learning, integrating theoretical foundations with practical how-to guides. The authors propose Equity-Centered Community Engagement Excellence principles to guide democratic, community-driven engagement that recognizes community expertise and addresses power imbalances. The book provides examples, syllabi, lessons, and evaluation rubrics, and is designed for faculty, practitioners, and campus administrators.

Format: Hardback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2022
Publisher: Stylus Publishing

This comprehensive guide offers practical insights and strategies for designing, teaching, and coordinating service-learning courses, as well as fostering reciprocal community partnerships and community-based research, with a focus on addressing the pervasive racial, social, economic, and environmental disparities across society. The book provides a framework for developing both in-person and online service-learning experiences, with a dedicated chapter on virtual delivery that seamlessly integrates the principles and practices outlined throughout.

The authors uniquely blend the practical aspects of conducting service-learning with theoretical foundations to create effective, equitable, and inclusive community engagement. In the context of this era of significant social inequality and division, the authors present a new definition and set of educational principles known as Equity-Centered Community Engagement Excellence. These principles serve as guiding principles for academic and community engagement that is democratic, recognizes the voice and expertise of community partners, addresses power imbalances between communities and academic institutions, and aims to foster transformative educational experiences that promote civic responsibility.

Drawing from the literature of critical service-learning, critical race theory, intercultural communication theory, and social-constructivism, this book aims to deconstruct the notion of academic knowledge's supremacy and reconstruct a new operational paradigm of equity-centeredness. It provides faculty with valuable guidance on redesigning service-learning curriculum, activities, collaborations, and scholarship, emphasizing the importance of valuing community capacity and expertise in driving these efforts.

The book is organized into five chapters, each covering a distinct aspect of service-learning and community engagement. The first chapter introduces the concept of service-learning and explores its historical roots, theoretical foundations, and benefits. It also highlights the importance of equity-centeredness in service-learning and the need to address systemic inequalities.

The second chapter delves into the process of designing service-learning courses, emphasizing the importance of student agency and community-engaged pedagogy. It provides practical strategies for incorporating service-learning into curriculum, developing meaningful partnerships with community organizations, and assessing student learning outcomes.

The third chapter focuses on teaching service-learning courses, highlighting the role of faculty in facilitating student learning and promoting equity-centeredness. It offers techniques for engaging students in community-based research, promoting critical reflection, and addressing power dynamics within service-learning partnerships.

The fourth chapter explores the significance of reciprocal community partnerships and the development of community-based research. It provides strategies for building and sustaining relationships with community partners, conducting meaningful research that addresses community needs, and disseminating research findings to the broader community.

The fifth chapter explores the challenges and opportunities of virtual delivery in service-learning, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches and technologies to ensure equitable access and engagement. It offers practical tips and strategies for delivering online service-learning courses, as well as examples of successful virtual service-learning projects.

Throughout the book, the authors use real-world examples and case studies to illustrate their points and provide practical insights into the challenges and rewards of service-learning and community engagement. They also emphasize the importance of reflexivity, self-awareness, and ongoing learning for both faculty and students as they navigate the complexities of these endeavors.

In conclusion, this comprehensive guide offers a valuable resource for educators, community partners, and anyone interested in promoting equity-centered community engagement. By integrating the principles of student agency, community-engaged pedagogy, reciprocal partnerships, and virtual delivery, it provides a framework for designing, teaching, and coordinating service-learning courses that are effective, equitable, and inclusive. The book's emphasis on equity-centeredness and the recognition of community capacity serves as a powerful call to action for educators and community leaders to work together to address the systemic inequalities that persist in our society.

Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781620364833