Research Article

The Impact of A Service-Learning Project on Undergraduate Students’ Faith Development and Spiritual Formation: Outcomes of an Organization and Administrative Behavior Course

Volume: 4 Number: 3 August 15, 2018
  • Roxanne Helm-stevens *
  • Dan Kipley
  • Todd Pheifer
EN

The Impact of A Service-Learning Project on Undergraduate Students’ Faith Development and Spiritual Formation: Outcomes of an Organization and Administrative Behavior Course

Abstract

Spiritual growth and development is frequently cited as an outcome of participation in service-learning projects.  However, little research has focused on measuring the students' ability to understand the connection between the service-learning experience and their personal faith and the ability to live out their Christian values in the field.  Notably missing from this particularly limited area of study is the Christian values convergence of being able to understand the worth of all people and a desire to be engaged in serving the community. Encompassing both quantitative and qualitative research methods, this study investigates undergraduate business students’ perceptions of the impact of a semester-long urban service-learning project on their spiritual lives and faith formation.  Specific attention is given to exploring the students' perception of faith as demarcated by the Christian praxis of the students' relationship with God and with others.

Keywords

References

  1. Astin, A. W., Vogelgesang, L. J., Ikeda, E. K., & Yee, J. A. (2000). How Service Learning Affects Students. Los Angeles: Higher Education Research Institute.
  2. Billig, S., & Furco, A. (Eds.) (2002). Service learning through a multi-disciplinary lens Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishing.
  3. Bowman, N., & Small, J. (2010). Do College Students Who Identify with a Privileged Religion Experience Greater Spiritual Development? Exploring Individual and Institutional Dynamics. Research in Higher Education, 51(7), 595-614.
  4. Budhai, S. (2012) A Symbiotic Relationship? Exploring the Relationships Between College Students and Community Partners who Engage in a Shared Service-Learning Project, Published Doctoral Dissertation, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 1- 143.
  5. Campbell, C. G., & Oswald, B. R. (2018). Promoting Critical Thinking Through Service Learning. Teaching of Psychology, 45(2), 193-199.
  6. Clark, P. (1999). Service-learning education in community-academic partnerships: Implications for interdisciplinary, Educational Gerontology, 25(7), 641-660.
  7. Dickerson, M., Helm-Stevens, R., & Fall, R. (2017). Service-Learning in Business Education: An Analysis of Spirituality, Leadership, and Motivation, American Journal of Economics and Business Administration, 9(1), 1-12.
  8. Eyler, J., & Giles Jr., D. E. (1999). Where’s the learning in service-learning? San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Studies on Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Roxanne Helm-stevens * This is me
United States

Dan Kipley This is me
United States

Todd Pheifer This is me
United States

Publication Date

August 15, 2018

Submission Date

May 30, 2018

Acceptance Date

August 15, 2018

Published in Issue

Year 1970 Volume: 4 Number: 3

APA
Helm-stevens, R., Kipley, D., & Pheifer, T. (2018). The Impact of A Service-Learning Project on Undergraduate Students’ Faith Development and Spiritual Formation: Outcomes of an Organization and Administrative Behavior Course. International Journal of Educational Methodology, 4(3), 187-194. https://doi.org/10.12973/ijem.4.3.187