Learning about Power through Service: Qualitative and Quantitative Assessments of a Service-Learning Approach to American Government

Scholars of public opinion and socialization have documented extensively the declining levels of political knowledge and the increasing levels of political apathy and individualism among young people. The purpose of this paper is to assess an American Government course's ability to affect young people's perceptions of power in the political system and their role as citizens through the use of service-learning. The analysis includes qualitative data collected from students as well as from the community organization involved. Additionally, the results of a quasi-experiment conducted during one semester are presented. The results raise interesting questions not only about service-learning and its impact but also about how we should assess such programs.