Civic Engagement in Higher Education

Numerous studies have chronicled students lack of trust in large social institutions, declining interest in politics, and decreasing civic skills. This book is a comprehensive guide to developing high-quality civic engagement experiences for college students. The book defines civic engagement and explains why it is central to a college education. It describes the state of the art of education for civic engagement and provides guidelines for designing programs that encourage desired learning outcomes. In addition, the book guides leaders in organizing their institutions to create a campus-wide culture of civic engagement.

Foreword v

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xiii

The Authors xv

Introduction 1

1 Civic Engagement in Today’s Higher Education: An Overview 5
Barbara Jacoby

2 What We Know about Civic Engagement among College Students 31
Mark Hugo Lopez and Abby Kiesa

3 Educating Students for Personal and Social Responsibility: The Civic Learning Spiral 49
Caryn McTighe Musil

4 Civic Engagement in the First College Year 69
Mary Stuart Hunter and Blaire L. Moody

5 Engaging General Education 85
Kim Spiezio

6 The Influence of Integrative and Interdisciplinary Learning on Civic Engagement 99
Nance Lucas

7 Capstone Experiences 117
Kevin Kecskes and Seanna Kerrigan

8 Enhancing Intercultural Competence through Civic Engagement 140
Michelle R. Dunlap and Nicole Webster

9 Leadership Education and the Revitalization of Public Life 154
Nicholas V. Longo and Marguerite S. Shaffer

10 Moving from Service-Learning to Civic Engagement 174
Marshall Welch

11 Community-Based Undergraduate Research: Collaborative Inquiry for the Public 196
Good Elizabeth L. Paul

12 Preparing Students for Global Civic Engagement 213
Barbara Jacoby and Nevin C. Brown

13 Securing the Future of Civic Engagement in Higher Education 227
Barbara Jacoby and Elizabeth Hollander

Name Index 249

Subject Index 255

The Author

Barbara Jacoby is senior scholar for the Adele H. Stamp Student Union Center for Campus Life at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she also serves as chair of the Coalition for Civic Engagement and Leadership. She is the author or editor of five books, including Service-Learning in Higher Education, Involving Commuter Students in Learning, and Building Partnerships for Service-Learning, all from Jossey-Bass. Jacoby is a sought-after speaker and consultant on civic engagement and service-learning.

Civic Engagement in Higher Education

Civic Engagement in Higher Education reveals what it takes to educate college students to be civically engaged citizens, scholars, and leaders. Recent studies have shown that college students' participation in community service is increasing while their involvement in civic and political issues and processes has significantly declined. As a result, higher education experts and critics, government and business leaders, civil society, and the public are calling on colleges and universities to focus sharply on preparing students for democratic empowerment and global citizenship.

If civic engagement is to gain real traction in higher education, it must be clearly defined, and civic learning outcomes must be established. Opportunities to learn about and practice civic engagement must be embedded throughout the curriculum and the cocurriculum. This book shows how all this can be done, and is being done, at higher education institutions around the country.

Civic Engagement in Higher Education contains contributions from noted educators, researchers, and leaders who present a wide array of ideas, case examples, methods, and proven strategies for educating today's students to become tomorrow's responsible citizens. These experts cover topics including:

• Civic engagement in the first college year
• Engaging general education
• Interdisciplinary learning for civic engagement
• Capstone experiences and undergraduate research
• Enhancing intercultural competence and leadership through civic engagement
• Global civic engagement

This book is the essential guide for taking civic engagement in higher education to the next level and securing its future.

Civic Engagement in Higher Education

Civic Engagement in Higher Education reveals what it takes to educate college students to be civically engaged citizens, scholars, and leaders. Recent studies have shown that college students' participation in community service is increasing while their involvement in civic and political issues and processes has significantly declined. As a result, higher education experts and critics, government and business leaders, civil society, and the public are calling on colleges and universities to focus sharply on preparing students for democratic empowerment and global citizenship.

If civic engagement is to gain real traction in higher education, it must be clearly defined, and civic learning outcomes must be established. Opportunities to learn about and practice civic engagement must be embedded throughout the curriculum and the cocurriculum. This book shows how all this can be done, and is being done, at higher education institutions around the country.

Civic Engagement in Higher Education contains contributions from noted educators, researchers, and leaders who present a wide array of ideas, case examples, methods, and proven strategies for educating today's students to become tomorrow's responsible citizens. These experts cover topics including:

• Civic engagement in the first college year
• Engaging general education
• Interdisciplinary learning for civic engagement
• Capstone experiences and undergraduate research
• Enhancing intercultural competence and leadership through civic engagement
• Global civic engagement

This book is the essential guide for taking civic engagement in higher education to the next level and securing its future.