Service Learning in Political Science: An Introduction

Part of a special section on service learning in political science. The writer contends that the articles in this special section highlight recent research on the effect of service learning on students' political knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors and draw new links between service learning and important viewpoints in political science scholarship and teaching. He introduces the topics: how service learning affects civic outcomes traditionally advanced by political scientists; the impact of community service and service learning on political attitudes; an assessment of Public Achievement, a program that encourages young people to identify and solve public problems in their communities; what should be learned through service learning; the political socialization field's view of service learning; how to improve the research on and practice of service learning in political science; and linking students engaged in service to chances for political advocacy.