Abstract
Service-learning projects enable students to apply course concepts while connecting with and providing valuable services to their larger community. Such projects are particularly valuable in civic education, where students can act as the driving forces behind political engagement education and motivation efforts. “UIndyVotes!” is a student project focused on voter registration and education at the University of Indianapolis in Indiana. It aims to engage the campus and the community in upcoming elections. In its first two iterations (in 2016 and 2018), the project organized voter registration tables, door-to-door canvassing, and voter education programs. This case study assesses the efforts of the project, including its objectives, processes, programming, and partnerships, and recommends best practices for future campus voter registration drives. The improvements observed between iterations illustrate the value of organizing early, securing key partnerships, and delegating tasks via the university network and system available to students. This case study offers guidance and recommendations for how instructors can adopt and adapt these practices to create or enhance similar service-learning experiences on their own campuses.
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Metadata
- Alternative title
Engaging Students in Politics Through Service-Learning
- Journal title
Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship
- Volume
14
- Issue
2
- Date submitted
19 July 2022
- License
- Keywords
- Additional information
Acknowledgements:
Notes Laura Merrifield Wilson is an associate professor of political science at the University of Indianapolis. This research was supported in part by an Election Engagement Grant from the Indiana Campus Compact. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Laura Merrifield Wilson, Department of History and Political Science, University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46227. Contact: lmwilson@uindy.edu