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Learning Goals

Civic Identity, Social Responsibility, and Ethical Engagement

  • Students participate in community engagement activities that reinforce or clarify their sense of civic identity and social responsibility (i.e. the experience(s) helps them to answer the questions: Who am I in relation to others in society/this community? What is my role and responsibility?).
  • Students critically examine their beliefs and attitudes in relation to diverse communities and cultures. As a result, they learn to adjust their beliefs and attitudes, fostering mutual respect and collaboration.
  • Students approach community engagement ethically, focusing on reciprocity, mutual benefit, and the strengths of the communities they work with.

Critical Reflection and Perspective-Taking

  • Students reflect critically on their role in social change, recognizing the broader impact of their actions on others, communities, and systems.
  • Students evaluate the short-term and long-term consequences of their actions and unintended outcomes.
  • Students reality-test their perceptions to better understand diverse viewpoints, develop empathy, and challenge their assumptions to gain a more inclusive view of the world.

Collaboration and Teamwork

  • Students work collaboratively within community contexts to achieve shared goals, taking on leadership roles where appropriate.
  • Students tailor their communication strategies to effectively express, listen, and adapt to different points of view.
  • Through hands-on projects, students learn to engage others, build strong partnerships, and achieve shared goals.

Systems Practice and Adaptive Problem-Solving

  • Students learn to map systems by identifying key elements and understanding their connections.
  • Students analyze how these systems change and identify leverage points for social change.
  • Students generate innovative ideas by exploring multiple possible solutions to complex problems.
  • Students apply creative problem-solving by designing resourceful and practical plans to address social issues and develop flexibility to adapt strategies as needed.