AESS 2017 Draft Conference Session Schedule
Service Learning and Diversity in Environmental Pedagogy and Practice
Abstract
This discussion symposia will focus on experiences and best practices related to integrating service learning components into the environmental studies curriculum. In particular, our work has aimed to open opportunities for our students to work with more diverse communities and to diversify the student population in the environmental studies program. Building on our own experiences in collaboration with the City of South Salt Lake and the Dine people in New Mexico, we hope to foster a conversation surrounding issues of pedagogy and practice related to environmental service learning. How do we in academia connect with diverse individuals in the community and organizations to build authentic relationships that serve real community needs? Who do we define as community? How do we know that the experience has been successful both for our students and partner organizations and people? How do we facilitate critical student reflection about their own subjectivity and reflexivity about their own work? As Environmental Studies programs build deeper and richer partnerships with communities and organizations near campus and further afield, these questions of who we work with, how we understand that partnership, and how we foster meaningful and lasting relationships for our students demand careful examination. In addressing these questions, we hope to build a network of people involved in facilitating student engagement beyond the campus as key components of their Environmental Studies curriculum.