Service Learning: The Road from the Classroom to Community-Based Macro Intervention

ABSTRACT

An integrated service-learning-based curriculum teaches community-based social work practice by linking classroom-learning objectives to service learning experiences in the community. This integrated approach links three core curriculum courses directly to the community and social policy through service-learning projects. At the same time, it reinforces the social work commitment to social justice by fostering student advocacy, interest, and involvement in macro and social policy issues while developing macro-level practice skills and increasing civic engagement. Course content with a sample student project, implementation issues, and implications for social work education are addressed with this curriculum model.

KEYWORDS:

• Service learning
• community practice
• social work education
• advocacy

This manuscript is based upon a presentation at the Policy Conference, 2004 by Diane L. Scott, Frank A. Sansone, and Janet D. Albury titled “Service Learning: The Road from the Classroom to Community-Based Macro Intervention.” The author thanks her colleagues for their contributions to that presentation.