3/25 Reading Response: Community-Service Pedagogy

Laura Julier article on service learning made me think of the modern practices of programs, specifically women’s studies and African American studies programs. Within these programs, there is a call for social activist activities. In fact, they are integrated within the essence of the program. One can easily see the need to work in the community on the rights of women and minorities – those who are often oppressed in a patriarchal society.

However, Julier addresses the service learning to the teaching of composition. I had not contemplated the relationship prior to this article. She states, “There are those…who make the case that service to community groups is precisely the place for students to study the complexities of writing and discourse” (137). The quote allows one to see the importance of writing. Writing is a powerful form of communication. Often, poor writing skills keep the uneducated from access to jobs and higher education. I envisioned using my writing abilities to help those who are “without voice” in society. One of the primary goals of such activities is to “make better citizens” in the world (137).

These correlations between democracy, citizenship, and writing have come up repeatedly; however, there are two trains of thought on this matter – those who believe that they are linked and those who do not. I am still weighing in.