Talking Point #5--In The Service of What? The Politics of Service Learning

Talking Point #5--In The Service of What? The Politics of Service Learning

Joseph Kahne and Joel Westheimer

Premise:

• education
• American Schools
• politics
• service Learning
• caring
• experience
• community
• teachers/students
• classrooms
• promote self esteem
• reality

Author’s Argument:
Kahne and Westheimer argue that it is important to acknowledge that service learning has political dimensions that focuses on the community and helping others not as a charity but to gain experience.

Evidence:

1. "The idea that educators should foster a volunteer ethic and encourage youths to give something back to their school or community currently receives widespread support" (7).
2. "We try to consider the life and disposition of those for whom we are caring...in so doing, we create opportunities for changing our understanding of the other and the context within which he or she lives" (5).
3. "Maybe this [community service] is what citizenship is all about, acting in a decent way toward people who live where we live. Citizenship in a democratic community requires more than kindness and decency; it requires engagement in complex social and institutional endeavors" (9).
4. "Moreover, when asked what they gained from the experience, many students said simply that it taught them 'that people can be different' from what you expect" (12).
5. "Moreover, it is important to acknowledge that the choice of service learning activities--like the choice of any curricular activity--has political dimensions" (12).

Questions/Comments/Points to Share:
When I first started reading this article I felt a little bit confused but as I kept on reading I wasn't lost. The article seemed a little repetitive but it definitely got the point across of how different experience is from charity. I liked how the authors included personal experiences from people when they volunteered. This article was a great one to read for this class because we are participating in service learning right now. Another thing that I thought of when I read this was my own personal experiences. When I was in 11th and 12th grade I helped teach CCD at my church just for an experience for my future plans on becoming a teacher. I really agree that all types of service learning and volunteer work is great experience, forms social bonds, and creates an understanding of all kinds of people.