Call for Chapters: Tension and Transformation in International Service-Learning

Posted by on February 22, 2010

Call for Chapters for an edited volume on International Service-Learning from Stylus Publishing: Crossing Boundaries: Tension and Transformation in International Service-Learning

Please consider submitting a 2 – 3 page chapter prospectus by April 1, 2010 for the edited volume on International Service-Learning (ISL). See guidelines and read below.

Objective of the Text:
This text addresses the growing trend and development of international service-learning (ISL) in higher education in the following ways:

1. Presents case studies of transformative potential of ISL.

2. Presents an framework of practice, including an outline of issues/challenges/problems for consideration in program/course/assignment design and execution.

3. Presents program/course models for consideration by faculty and administrators.

4. Suggests directions for future development of ISL.

Draft Outline:

Part I: ISL as Transformative Pedagogy and Process

Chapters will focus on the transformative potential of ISL. Contributors will propose chapters that are case studies of programs, courses, projects, and/or assignments that illustrate the transformative process.  The transformative process can take place for students, for faculty, for programs, and/or for institutions.  It is possible that a chapter here could also highlight a case in which the transformative process failed, and the author could highlight lessons learned for practice.

Part II:  Programs, Courses, and Assignments of Best Practice

Chapters will illustrate the incorporation of best practices into design and execution of programs, courses, and assignments.  Contributors will propose chapters that, first, spell out one or more service-learning best practices, and, second, offer a case study of the integration of the best practices into their work. This section will provide a framework for ISL practice and guide for practitioners.

a. Partnerships

b. Programs

c. Courses

d. Assignments

Part III: Problematizing ISL

Chapters will illustrate the problems/challenges/issues inherent in ISL, distinguishing those consistent with all service-learning as well as those unique to ISL.  Contributors here will propose chapters that, first, spell out particular problems/challenges/issues encountered in ISL and, second, suggest concrete approaches to addressing these problems/challenges/issues.

a. The Business of ISL

b. Problems of Power

c. Impact or Exploitation

d. Reciprocity and Mutual Beneficial Relationships

e. Continuity and Sustainability

f. Connecting Local and Global

Part IV: The Future of International Service-Learning in a Global Community: Maturing the ISL Field

Chapters will suggest directions for further development and discussion of ISL.

Timeline:
April 1, 2010
Author Submissions of Potential Chapter Topics/Abstracts

May 1, 2010
Author Notification and Invitation to write chapters.

Summer 2010
Author’s Writing of Specific Chapters

August 30, 2010
Submission of Drafts of all Chapters Due to Editors.

Fall, 2010
Revisions

Fall, 2011
Publication

Please follow the guidelines below for submitting a 2-3 page chapter prospectus. Please keep in mind the following information concerning your chapter prospectus:

Purpose: To serve as a source book for faculty, staff, and scholar-practitioners who are engaged in or seek to become engaged in international service-learning. The goal is to provide frameworks of practice through models, examples, and programmatic guidance for practitioners in higher education seeking to integrate international service learning into courses within their institution. Proposed chapters should approach the general theme from the disciplinary perspective of the author. Chapters written by interdisciplinary teams and by scholar-practitioners are especially welcome. Each chapter will provide a framework for practice as well as address issues of cultural competence, reciprocity, international community partnership, communicating across global boundaries, etc.  We particularly welcome case studies.

Theme: The multiple dimensions to the practice of international service-learning and problems/challenges/issues related to such practice.

Audience: The target audience for the text is faculty, staff, and practitioner-scholars in higher education who are extending service-learning pedagogy into the international context. The text will be suitable for faculty, staff, and practitioner-scholars across all types of institutions and all disciplines as a useful resource for course development in undergraduate education.

Guidelines:
The 2 – 3 page prospectus should contain the following elements:

1)         Your name
2)         Your discipline and institutional role (title)
3)         Contact information (department, campus, address, email, phone)
4)         Brief Abstract (100-200 words)
5)         References: Please provide a brief bibliography

The following critical prompts may help you focus your abstract and prospectus:

A)    Section:  Which section from the draft outline of the text do you see your manuscript contributing most to? Why?

B)    Tensions/Problems/Challenges/Issues:  How will you address the tensions, those ISL shares with traditional service-learning as well as those unique to ISL?

C)   Best Practice: Which best practices will you speak to, develop, and/or offer anew for ISL faculty? How did you engage in reflection, evaluation, and ensure mutually beneficial relationships?

D)   Approach: Will your case be about success, failure, a mix?  How will your case demonstrate concrete directions for readers doing ISL to learn form?

E)   Assessment: How do you know if you have made a difference for anyone involved in the work, especially the international community with which you are working? What measures did you use to assess process and evaluate at the end?

F)    Future directions: What are questions to ponder, resources to explore, or activities to pursue? What are suggestions for others who are involved in international service-learning?

Chapter Prospectuses due by April 1, 2010.

Please send the prospectus to BOTH:

Patrick M. Green, Ed.D.
Director of Experiential Learning
Clinical Instructor, Experiential Learning
Loyola University Chicago
pgreen@luc.edu

Mathew Johnson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Sociology and Environmental Studies
Director of Academic Community Engagement
Siena College
mjohnson@siena.edu