Civic Engagement in Higher Education: Concepts and Practices (Jossey-Bass Higher and Adult Education

by Barbara Jacoby, Thomas Ehrlich (Foreword)

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.

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 26, 2009

Reviews

[Kara Poe Alexander]

This book is a nice introduction to civic engagement. It offers a comprehensive overview with good theoretical background and practical strategies for implementing it into the classroom. I don't agree with its characterization of "service-learning" as less than civic engagement. In rhet-comp at least, service-learning has been theorized and conceived in rigorous intellectual ways that advocate social justice and activism.