- 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.
Learning Goals
The Lang Center’s approach to engaged scholarship is built around four key learning goals: Civic Identity, Social Responsibility, and Ethical Engagement; Critical Reflection and Perspective-Taking; Collaboration and Teamwork; and Systems Practice and Adaptive Problem-Solving. These goals align with our Center’s priorities and reflect broader trends in higher education.
