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The Relationship between Service-learning and Civic Engagement in the 2-Year College
Title
The Relationship between Service-learning and Civic Engagement in the 2-Year College.
Creator
Koopmann, Shari, Hewitt, Randall, Allen, Kay, Kaplan, Jeffrey, Morrison, Elizabeth, Miller, Margaret, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
This study examined the relationship between service-learning and civic engagement in the 2-year college and also investigated specific differences between service experiences to determine whether those differences moderated the relationship between service participation and civic engagement outcomes. The study yielded 110 matching pre- and post-Student Civic Engagement surveys from service-learners in five different course subject areas at a large southeastern community college. The findings...
Show moreThis study examined the relationship between service-learning and civic engagement in the 2-year college and also investigated specific differences between service experiences to determine whether those differences moderated the relationship between service participation and civic engagement outcomes. The study yielded 110 matching pre- and post-Student Civic Engagement surveys from service-learners in five different course subject areas at a large southeastern community college. The findings of the paired-samples t tests suggest that students experienced significant gains in four of the seven dimensions of civic engagement after participating in service. Students in comparable courses in subject matter but without service-components were also surveyed, yielding 117 matching pre- and post-surveys. A comparison of the mean differences between pre- and post-responses of the non-service-learners and service-learners suggests that the service-learners had a higher tendency than the non-service-learners to participate in the majority of assessed civic engagement activities. The data were sorted by subject area to allow for an analysis of the service-learners and the non-service-learners in comparable courses. Those results, however, were inconclusive, and no clear trends emerged. ANOVAs and independent-samples t tests were used to determine the relationship between gains in civic outcomes and select variables. The findings suggest that the type of service-learning activity, the duration of the service experience, the participant-perceived quality of the service experience, the amount of required student reflection, and the teacher's frequency of use of active and passive instructional strategies significantly moderate the relationship between service participation and a number of measures of civic engagement.
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Date Issued
2013
Identifier
CFE0004706, ucf:49807
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004706
Gender and Social Capital: Implications for Women's Civic Engagement in Ecuador and Peru
Title
Gender and Social Capital: Implications for Women's Civic Engagement in Ecuador and Peru.
Creator
Medina, Pamela, Bryer, Thomas, Kapucu, Naim, Feder, Lynette, Gau, Jacinta, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Civic engagement is a fundamental component of a healthy democracy, contributing to higher government accountability and overall improvement in (")good governance("). Civic engagement is particularly critical to subgroups which are under-represented in formal political structures, such as women, as it affords these groups the opportunity to voice their unique concerns. However, women participate less in many important forms of civic engagement. The United Nations and other international...
Show moreCivic engagement is a fundamental component of a healthy democracy, contributing to higher government accountability and overall improvement in (")good governance("). Civic engagement is particularly critical to subgroups which are under-represented in formal political structures, such as women, as it affords these groups the opportunity to voice their unique concerns. However, women participate less in many important forms of civic engagement. The United Nations and other international organizations have emphasized the importance of increasing women's voice and empowerment in an attempt to improve women's overall well-being, particularly in the developing world. Individual and contextual factors have demonstrated contributions toward influencing levels of civic engagement, but these effects only serve in partially explaining why women are less engaged. This study adds to this discussion by examining gender differences in the development and contribution of social capital (measured by networks and trust) to civic engagement within two young and developing democracies; Ecuador and Peru. The study finds that gender differences exist in how social capital is formed, but these differences don't explain women's decreased likelihood for engagement. Thus, social capital can be used to build civic engagement among both genders.
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Date Issued
2015
Identifier
CFE0005842, ucf:50911
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005842
Civic Engagement of Community College Students: A Qualitative Research Study On Community College Curriculum and Civic Engagement
Title
Civic Engagement of Community College Students: A Qualitative Research Study On Community College Curriculum and Civic Engagement.
Creator
Shephard, Landon, Russell, William, Hewitt, Randall, Waring, Scott, Jewett, Aubrey, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Social scientists claim young United States (U.S.) citizens have become disengaged in civic life which jeopardizes democracy (White et al., 2007; CIRCLE (&) Carnegie, 2003, p.8). As a nation, the U.S. has failed to teach students the skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary for democratic life (White et l., 2007). Social scientists claim young U.S. citizens have become disengaged in civic life since the 1980s (Colby, 2007; CIRCLE (&) Carnegie, 2003, p.4). Compared to past generations, young...
Show moreSocial scientists claim young United States (U.S.) citizens have become disengaged in civic life which jeopardizes democracy (White et al., 2007; CIRCLE (&) Carnegie, 2003, p.8). As a nation, the U.S. has failed to teach students the skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary for democratic life (White et l., 2007). Social scientists claim young U.S. citizens have become disengaged in civic life since the 1980s (Colby, 2007; CIRCLE (&) Carnegie, 2003, p.4). Compared to past generations, young citizens in the United States are less engaged in political life and lack an understanding of what it means to be an active and engaged citizen (Colby, 2007; White et al., 2007; CIRCLE (&) Carnegie, 2003, p.4). The idea of engaged citizenship has become narrowly defined as the simple act of voting, limiting the possibilities of citizens in improving society through community involvement (White et al., 2007). However, social scientists and social science educators have witnessed an increase in volunteerism of young U.S. citizens since about 2000. Along with this increase in volunteerism, other empirical evidence has painted a more positive picture of young Americans' civic engagement (Zukin et al., 2006). While researchers admit that young U.S. citizens are less politically engaged, young citizens demonstrate an interest in civic engagement (e.g., volunteering and participating in social campaigns) (Zukin et al., 2006). Historically, kindergarten through twelfth-grade (K-12) social-studies education has responded, through a civic-focused curriculum, to the needs of the United States. The nation's colleges and universities have also traditionally focused on the education of the country's future civic leaders, paying particular attention to teaching citizenship for the common good while promoting civic duty and responsibility. In comparison, little attention has been focused on the civic education of the community college student. The primary focus of community colleges has been to stimulate local economies and provide training for workforce development. In addition to workforce development, community colleges have provided access to under-prepared students who are interested in completing a four-year degree at a university, where civic leadership has been integrated into the curriculum. This research study followed a qualitative phenomenological approach that investigated the attitudes and perceptions of community college students and their civic and political engagement. The researcher collected data pertaining to civic engagement from three sources: open-ended qualitative questionnaires, student focus-groups, and a drawing activity completed by students. This research study was conducted in a large urban community college located in the southeastern region of the United States. Wilson Community College is a pseudonym used to conceal the identity of the college that was used in this research study.
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Date Issued
2012
Identifier
CFE0004440, ucf:49337
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004440
AN EXPLORATION OF TEACHER CANDIDATE PERCEPTIONS CONCERNING THEIR POLITICAL ROLE IN SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATION
Title
AN EXPLORATION OF TEACHER CANDIDATE PERCEPTIONS CONCERNING THEIR POLITICAL ROLE IN SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATION.
Creator
Zagrocki, Brian, Russell, William, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
This study argued that the purpose of social studies education is intimately connected with civic engagement. The function of civic engagement shifts in accordance with the political roles a teacher plays in the classroom (Westhaimer & Kahne, 2004). The literature review defined the possible parameters of these political roles. The research then explored how secondary social science and elementary teacher candidates, if at all, planned to address the political issue of civic engagement in...
Show moreThis study argued that the purpose of social studies education is intimately connected with civic engagement. The function of civic engagement shifts in accordance with the political roles a teacher plays in the classroom (Westhaimer & Kahne, 2004). The literature review defined the possible parameters of these political roles. The research then explored how secondary social science and elementary teacher candidates, if at all, planned to address the political issue of civic engagement in education and their self-awareness as political actors. This research study aimed to expand the available body of research on this topic by exploring the perceptions of social studies teacher candidates concerning their roles in promoting civic engagement. This study conducted a survey of social science and elementary teacher candidates to qualitatively measure these perceptions. The study found that teacher candidates possessed entrenched conceptions of good citizenry but fail to connect social studies� primary purpose of civic engagement with the promotion of good citizenry. The study also indicated teacher candidates lack sufficient civic engagement conceptual understanding and corresponding pedagogy to adequately perform their political roles as democratic gatekeepers. Consequently, the study�s educational implications were that social studies teachers� and teacher candidates� awareness of civic engagement in the social studies classroom is necessary to facilitate an effective, ethical, and objective education. Additionally, more attention must be given in teacher candidate education to address the political reality of the social science education profession.
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Date Issued
2016
Identifier
CFH2000056, ucf:45510
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000056
Investigating Social Capital and Political Action in the Middle East
Title
Investigating Social Capital and Political Action in the Middle East.
Creator
Abdel-Wahab, Amr, Morales, Waltraud, Fine, Terri, Houghton, David, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
This study addresses the relationship between social capital and political action in the Middle East. The research uncovers indicators of how social capital correlates with democratic action. Using data from the 2005 World Values Survey, the examination centers on indicators of trust and membership in civic organizations and how they relate to political action in the region. The paper concludes with discussion of how trust-building and reciprocity can be interpreted within the political...
Show moreThis study addresses the relationship between social capital and political action in the Middle East. The research uncovers indicators of how social capital correlates with democratic action. Using data from the 2005 World Values Survey, the examination centers on indicators of trust and membership in civic organizations and how they relate to political action in the region. The paper concludes with discussion of how trust-building and reciprocity can be interpreted within the political context of the Middle East, and how the relevance of social capital will be an unavoidable consideration in the transition away from autocracy in the region, especially when considering recent events.
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Date Issued
2011
Identifier
CFE0004083, ucf:49137
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004083
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ADOLESCENT BEHAVIOR AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Title
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ADOLESCENT BEHAVIOR AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
Creator
Ernst, Michael, Murray, Barbara, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Citizenship – commitment to and participation in a political community - is the heart of constitutional democracy and a free society. Knowledge of the rights, responsibilities, and privileges are the electrical impulses that keep a steady beat. Without the participation of educated citizens, a democratic republic can not and does not function. This study analyzed the relationship between adolescent behavior and civic engagement. This task was accomplished by examining the amount of civic...
Show moreCitizenship – commitment to and participation in a political community - is the heart of constitutional democracy and a free society. Knowledge of the rights, responsibilities, and privileges are the electrical impulses that keep a steady beat. Without the participation of educated citizens, a democratic republic can not and does not function. This study analyzed the relationship between adolescent behavior and civic engagement. This task was accomplished by examining the amount of civic knowledge possessed by two groups within a population. The population examined, a high school in Flagler County, was composed of "at risk" students (those who had an Individualized Education Plan) and "regular" students (those that did not). The study uncovered the message that the amount of civic knowledge possessed by American youth was not as important as it was for them to be engaged in extracurricular activities. During the course of time, educators appear to have restricted their own ability to plan for and provide learning experiences that take in to consideration the physical characteristics; physical needs; patterns of growth and maturation; physiological changes; intellectual development; intellectual characteristics; learning preferences and styles; emotional development; personality development; and social development of each and every young adolescent attending school. When interesting, affordable activities are not made available, students become bored and get in to trouble during after school hours. Adolescent behaviors such as moral judgment and risk taking (or lack thereof) affect their decision to become civically involved.
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Date Issued
2005
Identifier
CFE0000764, ucf:46585
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000764