Civic Engagement - Hardcover

by Barbara Jacoby and Associates (Author), Thomas Ehrlich (Foreword by)

Numerous studies have chronicled students lack of trust in large social institutions, declining interest in politics, and decreasing civic skills. This book is a comprehensive guide to developing high-quality civic engagement experiences for college students. The book defines civic engagement and explains why it is central to a college education. It describes the state of the art of education for civic engagement and provides guidelines for designing programs that encourage desired learning outcomes. In addition, the book guides leaders in organizing their institutions to create a campus-wide culture of civic engagement.

Front Jacket

Civic Engagement in Higher Education

Civic Engagement in Higher Education reveals what it takes to educate college students to be civically engaged citizens, scholars, and leaders. Recent studies have shown that college students' participation in community service is increasing while their involvement in civic and political issues and processes has significantly declined. As a result, higher education experts and critics, government and business leaders, civil society, and the public are calling on colleges and universities to focus sharply on preparing students for democratic empowerment and global citizenship.

If civic engagement is to gain real traction in higher education, it must be clearly defined, and civic learning outcomes must be established. Opportunities to learn about and practice civic engagement must be embedded throughout the curriculum and the cocurriculum. This book shows how all this can be done, and is being done, at higher education institutions around the country.

Civic Engagement in Higher Education contains contributions from noted educators, researchers, and leaders who present a wide array of ideas, case examples, methods, and proven strategies for educating today's students to become tomorrow's responsible citizens. These experts cover topics including:

• Civic engagement in the first college year
• Engaging general education
• Interdisciplinary learning for civic engagement
• Capstone experiences and undergraduate research
• Enhancing intercultural competence and leadership through civic engagement
• Global civic engagement

This book is the essential guide for taking civic engagement in higher education to the next level and securing its future.

Back Jacket

Praise for Civic Engagement in Higher Education

"This volume is must-reading for presidents, faculty, and staff working to strengthen civic engagement in all types of colleges and universities. With a welcome and distinctive focus on student civic learning outcomes, it presents practical strategies based on the experience of leading programs around the country." --Lawrence S. Bacow, president, Tufts University

"Barbara Jacoby has brought together an outstanding group of authors who have written an extraordinarily important book. It provides powerful case examples, approaches, and strategies that will significantly contribute to the practice of civic engagement across higher education."
--Ira Harkavy, associate vice president and director, Barbara and Edward Netter Center for Community Partnerships, University of Pennsylvania

"Timing is everything and the time is right for this book. It addresses the history, current need, and future of civic engagement in higher education. It is a must-read for administrators, faculty, and staff interested in supporting and furthering civic engagement on their campuses and nationwide."
--Devorah Lieberman, provost and vice president for academic affairs, Wagner College

"This comprehensive book provides both inspiration and useful models for anyone interested in how higher education can foster a new generation of engaged citizens."
--Maureen F. Curley, president, Campus Compact

"Bringing much clarity to the elusive concept of civic engagement, Barbara Jacoby and her associates offer important new vistas to the epistemologies and programmatic features that undergird one of today's most important higher education movements."
--Andrew Furco, associate vice president for public engagement, University of Minnesota

Author Biography

The Author

Barbara Jacoby is senior scholar for the Adele H. Stamp Student Union Center for Campus Life at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she also serves as chair of the Coalition for Civic Engagement and Leadership. She is the author or editor of five books, including Service-Learning in Higher Education, Involving Commuter Students in Learning, and Building Partnerships for Service-Learning, all from Jossey-Bass. Jacoby is a sought-after speaker and consultant on civic engagement and service-learning.