AMERICAN STUDIES 398: Service Learning in America

AMST 398 explores the history and theory of volunteerism and service learning in America. Requirements for the course include an academic seminar and significant placement in a service learning project. Students produce POWERPOINTS from their specific internship, service placement, or service-learning research. They will be supplemented by visual and audio documentation as relevant. Additionally students are required to keep a digital diary of their internship experience and respond to specific prompts in electronic discussion forums on a bi-weekly basis throughout the term. Two required out-of -class event assignments (or alternate reading substitutes) are required due to seminar cancellation for Fall Break and the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Opportunities include Dianne Ravitch (No Child Left Behind), Martin Eakes (Race and Wealth in America), James Moeser (The State of the University Address) and Studs Terkel (Will the Circle Be Unbroken).