Reflections: A Journal of Community-Engaged Writing and Rhetoric Apr 2011 Open Access

African American Students Learn by Serving the African American Community: A Jackson State University Example of “Challenging Minds and Changing Lives”

Preselfannie E. Whitfield McDaniels ; Kashelia J. Harrion ; Rochelle Smith Glenn ; Gisele Nicole Gentry

Abstract

This article investigates service-learning practices and pedagogy at Jackson State University (JSU), a Historically Black University, founded in 1877 to educate underserved and underrepresented African Americans in Mississippi. As a reflection of the university’s motto, “Challenging Minds and Changing Lives,” this research highlights JSU’s concerted efforts to foster students’ participation in school-community literacy partnerships. Since 2009, the university has facilitated academic instruction in first-year English Composition and Literature courses and in second-year Humanities courses. Not only have these efforts enabled JSU students to partner with Elementary schools and African American women’s help initiatives in the Metro-Jackson area, but JSU students have also completed service-learning projects in Limon, Costa Rica. To further illustrate JSU’s commitment to African American literacy partnerships, the authors present a selection of course materials to demonstrate course designs dedicated to service-learning and African American community literacy partnerships.

Journal
Reflections: A Journal of Community-Engaged Writing and Rhetoric
Published
2011-04-01
DOI
10.59236/rjv10i2pp108-135
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Topics
writing pedagogy curriculum design service learning literacy studies race and writing community literacy
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References (7)

  1. Berman (2006)
    Service Learning: A Guide to Planning, Implementing, and Assessing Student Projects
  2. (2010)
    Center for Service and Community Engaged Learning
  3. (2005)
    Facts Sheet
  4. Deans (2000)
    Writing Partnerships: Service Learning in Composition
  5. Gallini (2003)
    Service-Learning and Engagement, Academic Challenge, and Retention
    The Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning
Show all 7 →
  1. Hurd (2006)
    Is Service-Learning Effective?: A Look at Current Research
  2. (2010)
    Corporation for National and Community Service
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