Partnership
_Learning through
__Art,
___Culture & the
____ Environment
A Starting PLACE
for Discussion:
What is Arts-Based Service-Learning (A-BSL)?
While there is ample research and critical literature on Service Learning
pedagogy and methdology, there is very little literature that is focused specifically
on “arts-based” service learning (A-BSL) and even less on A-BSL
for fine arts higher education. This is an opportunity for the CFA to glean
from the existing generic service learning (SL) research and begin to shape
and embed an arts-based (A-B) foundation that could responds to our College
and community needs as we push the A-BSL field on a national level. For a
base-line conversation about Service Learning, the PLACE Program has researched
and compiled references and resources from other universities and organizations
that speak to SL pedagogy, methodology and practice.
The broadest definition for Service-Learning is a pedagogy that uses a variety
of instructional methods and integrates community service with academic instruction
as it focuses on critical, reflective thinking. From this most basic definition
there are many critical approaches that reflect different discipline orientations,
partnership collaborations, framed outcomes and, of course, the intangible
and impossible to predict experiences that occurr as we engage communities
beyond the classroom.
To review more basic definitions on SL pedagogy and methodology link to our
“SL Focus” page. Click here.
