Reflection is an integral part of Service Learning and attendance for at least one session is HIGHLY encouraged.
Many professors have made attendance mandatory for their classes. You are welcome to attend as many sessions as you would like. Mark your calendars now and be sure to save the date for the topic(s) that spark your interest. These reflections are specifically geared towards service learning experiences.
It should be noted that attendance will be taken at each reflection session in order to inform professors of your participation. We hope to see you there!
Reflection Session Descriptions, PDF Format
NOTE: Topics listed below will be used for the Fall 2013 semester.
Expose: Where are you coming from?
September 19, 5:30pm-7:00pm, AMU 157
Service Learning is a unique academic assignment that asks you to confront your own values and vulnerabilities, to recognize social inequalities, and to identify with the harshness of marginalization. Instead of solely reading about theories and concepts in class, you will be asked to test, feel, and observe these concepts in real life. This experience will take you out of your comfort zone and cause you to learn more about your society and yourself. Before beginning service, it is important to explore your emotions, reservations, initial impressions, prejudices, and goals. During this session, you will discover where your thoughts and values are as you begin the Service Learning experience, which will help you better prepare to learn and grow throughout the semester.
Analyze: What is the framework of our society?
October 3, 3:00pm-4:30pm, AMU 163
The Service Learning experience allows each of us to individually address issues that are prevalent in our community. During this session you will identify issues at your site that correlate to larger scale structural injustices and inequalities. By exploring the structure and norms of our society, you form a better understanding of the cyclical nature of inequality and disempowerment. Discussion will also provide an opportunity to explore ways to break the cycle of poverty and personally become an agent of change in the Milwaukee community.
Act: Does your faith tradition call you to serve?
October 22, 5:00pm-6:30pm, AMU 163
Serving your neighbor is a core value of all major faith traditions. How do you see your faith come alive through service? Do you see the face of God in those you serve? How do your beliefs shape who you are and the relationships you have with others? This discussion will focus on how spirituality is both challenged and enhanced in the quest for social justice, a process by which individuals of all faiths create a just and humane world. By sharing time and resources, reflecting on your role within a broader humanity, and exploring systematic change through education and advocacy, you can take an active role in this quest for justice. Students of diverse faiths, beliefs, and spiritual backgrounds are encouraged to attend and share their perspectives.
Discern: Where will your path take you?
November 8, 12:30pm-2:00pm, AMU 163
Vocation is the call to live life with intention, integrity, and generosity in the context of the world around us; in this way, vocation is our purpose in life. Alternatively, vocation is also used to describe one’s career path. This reflection will allow you to reflect on your values so that you can find a way of life that exemplifies these values – a life that's true to who you are, but about more than just yourself. During this session you will delve into the connections between your intended career path and your greater purpose in the world to understand how you can utilize service as a means to seamlessly connect your greater purpose and professional vocations.
Perceive: Where do you find beauty?
November 17, 2:00pm-3:30pm, Haggerty Museum of Art
Reflecting on the way we respond to the environment and the people around us can give us insights into ourselves. What do you think is beautiful? How do the opinions of others shape the way you see the world? Through individual reflection in the visual space of the Haggerty Museum of Art, you will explore the ideas of beauty and goodness and reflect on where you find them at your Service Learning placement.
Identify: How does the way you define yourself impact your worldview?
November 25, 6:30pm-8:00pm, AMU 163 -OR- December 3, 5:30pm-7:00pm, AMU 163
(Please note that you should only attend one of these two sessions; you will not receive double credit for attending both. Final reflections will be capped at 100 students per session.)
After a semester of Service Learning, we have all encountered people with different attitudes, characteristics, backgrounds, and values than our own. Encountering diversity allows you to examine your own identities and world views. From what perspectives do you view the world around you? What roles, values, and characteristics are most important to who you are? By understanding your own identities and the diversity of those around you, you can work toward finding similarities and common ground with others.
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