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Call for Papers |
Faith Traditions, Spirituality, and Service-Learning
Fourth Biannual Conference
June 1-3, 2006
Messiah College, Grantham PA
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Purpose
Service-Learning at faith-based colleges and universities gives students opportunity to bring together what the academy often separates: academic knowledge, community service, social and civic responsibility, values, personal growth, faith development, theological reflection and spirituality. While many faith-based colleges have strong service-learning programs, there are many others who want to develop new programs or strengthen programs they already have. Others want to move from strong community volunteer service programs to service-learning.This conference will particularly focus on the impact various faith traditions make on Service-Learning philosophy and practice and on strategies to incorporate these strategies more intentionally into Service-Learning programs. When faith traditions and perspectives are articulated clearly and persuasively, space is opened for dialogue, interaction and mutual learning.
This conference will provide an opportunity for teaching and co-curricular faculty from a broad range of faith-based colleges to share insights and experiences and to explore pedagogical, theological and theoretical foundations of service-learning and to refine their practice of service-learning. It will also focus on contributions various faith traditions bring to service-learning and on sharing good practices and effective models.
We invite papers on a broad range of topics. Possibilities include: contributions of various faith pespectives to understandings of service, social justice, change, peacemaking, and learning; service-learning as a way to explore vocation and develop faith, partnerships with faith-based commnity organizations, innovative ways to do service-learning in disciplines; service-learning pedagogy, future directions for service-learning; service-learning and peace and conflict studies; particular challenges and promissary practices for service-learning at faith-based institutions; and others.
Request for Proposals for Papers, Workshops or other Presentations
Conference participants are invited to submit proposals for papers, workshops or presentations. The conference will build on the gifts and insights of of participants. The specific format and schedule will be developed from proposals we receive.A special track will feature papers on ways particular faith perspectives inform service-learning philosophy and practice.
Each presenter of a paper will have about 30 minutes for presentation and discussion. Workshops may have longer times. Facilities will be available for computer projection and other audio visual presentations. Space will be available for poster presentations.
A pne page proposal should be sent to John W. Eby as soon as possible but no later than April 1, 2006. Persons whose proposals are accepted will be notified as soon as possible. Selected papers from the conference may be published. Some possible topics include:
- Innovative service-learning practices
- Empirical research on effective practices;
- Empirical research on student learning and the impact of service-learning;
- Exploration of various thrological perspectives on service;
- Issues related to building effective community partnerships with faith-based and other organizations;
- Particular issues and dilemmas encountered by faith-based colleges doing service-learning;
- Descriptions of model programs working at social justice, social policy, advocacy and social change;
- Moving from voluntary service to service-learning;
- Ways service-learning can contribute to faith development and vocastion;
Service-Learning Conference
Agapé Center for Service and Learning
Messiah College, Box 3027, One College Avenue
Grantham, Pennsylvania 17027
(717)-766-2511Conference E-Mail: SLConference@messiah.edu
Pat Olcott and Liz Brotzman, Conference Coordinators
John W. Eby, Ph.D. Conference Director, JEby@Messiah.edu