Coming Full Circle

Coming Full Circle: A Guide to Service-Learning is a unique, stand-alone text for courses that connect service to the community to the acquisition of academic knowledge–courses that ask students to venture into the outside world, and engage in the problems and projects of the communities surrounding their schools.

The book begins with an explanation of service-learning, its roots, and definitions of useful terms. The three subsequent chapters discuss reflection, culture, and reciprocity, and how these apply to real-world service environments. Later chapters address the guiding issues of service-learning, including:

• Diversity
• Social Welfare
• Environment
• Education
• Social Change
• Responsive Citizenship

The book concludes with an epilogue that encourages students to reflect on what they have learned and experienced.

While other texts focus on theory, Coming Full Circle emphasizes the how-to of the discipline, providing students with a clear roadmap for involvement in service fields. Written in a student-friendly, accessible style, the book combines academic instruction with participation through service. It encourages students to reflect on their service experiences, and to grow as responsive citizens. More than a textbook, Coming Full Circle is also an effective aid to self-awareness and personal development.

Coming Full Circle can be used in sociology and education courses, as well as in classes dealing with human development. It is also an excellent supplementary text for psychology and political science courses.