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The Course—ENGL/AMST 399: Writing, Sustainability and Social Change

Building Campus and Community Connections Through Writing and Sustainability Dr. Christina Jarvis SUNY Fredonia. The Course—ENGL/AMST 399: Writing, Sustainability and Social Change. 17 Students (10 different majors, mostly seniors & juniors) Special topics service-learning class

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The Course—ENGL/AMST 399: Writing, Sustainability and Social Change

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  1. Building Campus and Community Connections Through Writing and SustainabilityDr. Christina JarvisSUNY Fredonia

  2. The Course—ENGL/AMST 399: Writing, Sustainability and Social Change • 17 Students (10 different majors, mostly seniors & juniors) • Special topics service-learning class • 4 community partners • 3 local issues—energy, food and water • Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo grant funding for projects • Community environmental film festival • CFL give-away • Beach clean-up • Compost bins and rain barrels for community gardens

  3. Components Encouraging Activism and Engagement • Personal and civic engagement journal • Numerous speakers, panels, and field trips • Earth Week events in community • Public writing/press release assignment • Mini-grant assignment and related events • Engagement focused readings and discussions

  4. Local Energy Issues: Nuclear Waste and Coal Ash • West Valley Coalition presentation and web text assignment • Blogs and portal page for Grow New York • Panel on coal ash with CROP PLUS and NRG

  5. Energy Films & Engagement • Screenings of Burning the Future and Crude Impact • Student press release publications • Student/CROP PLUS participation in PowerShift NY • Poetry and portfolio responses

  6. Community CFL Give-away • Earth Week “Green Expo” event • Student press release publication • Results • 1350 CFLs • $87, 048 energy bill savings • 897, 264 lbs (407 tons) of reduced CO2 emissions • AASHE recognition

  7. Community CFL Give-away

  8. Food & Sustainable Agriculture • Screening of Fresh • Mini-grant project • Grant presentation • Visits from community garden volunteer and Gleaning Project staff • Research on rain barrels, compost bins, local community gardens and needs

  9. Field Trip to Gong Garden

  10. Addressing Water Issues • Screening of A Sea Change • Earth Week Lake Erie beach clean-up • Student press release • Partnerships with multiple groups/classes • 50+ people, 321 lbs of garbage • Observer “Best of the Week”

  11. Lake Erie Beach Clean-up

  12. Engagement Results • Increase in environmental activism: average 1.4 pts (2.9 pts for 10/16) • Increase in community engagement: average 2.2 pts (2.8 pts for 13/16)

  13. TE “This course provided me access to information as well as opportunities to engage and serve others, both of which facilitated the sort of learning and discussion I have not usually experienced in the classroom. …I think one of the most important effects in social change is taking back the community aspect of connection through common needs and wants and communication.” Student Reflections on Engagement

  14. More Student Reflections • KT: “After working with the community partners like the Gleaning Project, Rural Ministry, West Valley Coalition, Earth Works, and the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, it got me thinking about how much there is to do is Chautauqua County. One thing I have learned through this semester, is that there are issues right in our backyard, and we do not need to always jump on the ‘most intense’ environmental fad to help make a difference. There are also a lot of great people who are dedicated, passionate, and enthusiastic about bettering their local environment.”

  15. More Student Reflections • CC “Writing, Sustainability, and Social Change” taught me the many forms in which I can educate the public through my writing. I have learned how to write blogs, op/eds, press releases, and grants. I have even felt encouraged to infuse the political into my creative writing. I have watched an idea turn into a plan, which led to a direct change in this class. I have seen firsthand how powerful the written word can be.” • TP “What I mainly took from this course is the knowledge that anyone can make a difference, no matter who they are or what path of life they come from. Activism and social change comes in all shapes and sizes and all corners of the world.”

  16. Some Conclusions • Build on existing student activism and interests • Link politics, civic engagement and activism to personally meaningful topics • Capitalize on students’ social networks and networking skills • Encourage reflection on and sharing & documentation of events • Model activism and engagement yourself

  17. Lessons Learned • Limit the number of community partners and service-learning assignments • Allow more time to build student-community partner relationships and explain service-learning • Favor student buy-in and student-led projects over pre-planned events • Foster strong group dynamics for team projects • Consider multiple options/avenues to engage broader range of student writing talents

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