Strong Community Service Learning: Philosophical Perspectives

by Eric C. Sheffield

This book has received the AESA (American Educational Studies Association) Critics Choice Award 2012 .
Community Service Learning (CSL) is, potentially, the most powerful and far-reaching educational reform movement in recent memory. Yet, that potential has yet to be realized. One major reason for CSL’s limited success is found in its runaway conceptual in becoming everything to everyone, CSL has lost its philosophical bearings and, not surprisingly, its practical value. This study attempts to restore CSL’s philosophical bearings, arguing that there are particular understandings of its components that imply particular kinds of educational practices. In this philosophical clarification lies the hope that CSL can meet its immense potential as a transformative school and community practice. This book is a must-have for teachers, school administrators, educational scholars, and students who have an interest in making schools a vital community resource.

195 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2011

About the author

Eric Sheffield is a professor in the Department of Reading Foundations and Technology, Missouri State University (Springfield, MO). He achieved his Ph.D. (Philosophy of Education) at the University of Florida in 2003.

Reviews

[Sarah Keeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I admire Eric Sheffield, and his teaching has greatly impacted me as a student and high school teacher. However, I did not enjoy this book. I think there's a good message somewhere in there about what strong community service learning should and should not look like. However, he lost me amidst the discussion.