Experiential Learning in Sociology: Service Learning and Other Community-Based Learning Initiatives

• Published in: Teaching sociology Vol. 29; no. 2; pp. 181 - 194
• Main Authors: Mooney, Linda A., Edwards, Bob
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Sociological Association 01.04.2001
• Subjects: Academic learning; College instruction; Communities; Community based; Community Involvement; Curricula; Education; Experiential learning; Higher education; History and organization of sociology; History, theory and methodology; Internships; Learning; Organization of profession, research and teaching. Deontology. Sociology of sociology. Epistemology; Service learning; Sociology; Sociology Education; Teaching; Teaching Methods; Volunteer labor; Volunteerism; United States Of America; Learning; Services; Volunteerism; Pedagogy; After-school activity; Sociology teaching; Community
• ISSN: 0092-055X; 1939-862X
• DOI: 10.2307/1318716

Despite increased popularity and a strong pedagogical tradition, the literature on community-based learning (CBL) initiatives and service learning evidences a certain conceptual imprecision. In the hopes of clarifying definitional ambiguities, we critically review the CBL literature, identifying six distinct types of CBL options and their characteristics. The result is a hierarchy of community-based learning, which while not proposed as a definitive conceptualization, is likely to be useful in terms of curricular development. Using a hypothetical sociology class, the community-based learning options identified (i.e., out-of-class activities, volunteering, service add-ons, internships, service learning, and service learning advocacy) are discussed in terms of their pedagogical differences and associated curricular benefits.