Using a Community Engagement Project to Reduce Apathy and Pessimism in an Urban Social Problems Course

In this paper the author discusses concerns that influenced her decision to revise the pedagogical methods she originally employed in teaching an urban social problems course. It had become apparent to the author that those methods left students with a sense of apathy concerning problems in their community. She, therefore, restructured the course to include a civic engagement project that reflected several goals: to reduce student's sense of apathy; to increase awareness of the organizational efforts that had resulted in positive changes in the community; and to enhance the student's sense of self efficacy. Findings from the pre- and post-survey and the comments offered by students at the end of the term indicate the advantage of engaging students in the community as a tool to achieve these goals.