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The Impact of the College Experience on Students’ Learning for a Diverse Democracy. Sylvia Hurtado, Mark Engberg, and Luis Ponjuan University of Michigan. Association for the Study of Higher Education Portland, Oregon November 14, 2003. Introduction.
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The Impact of the College Experience on Students’ Learning for a Diverse Democracy Sylvia Hurtado, Mark Engberg, and Luis Ponjuan University of Michigan Association for the Study of Higher Education Portland, Oregon November 14, 2003
Introduction • Role of higher education in educating students for a diverse democracy • Workforce preparation in a diverse society • Assessment of learning and democratic outcomes
Theory and Research Hypotheses • Democratic learning occurs through social interaction, especially among diverse peers • Campus practices that structure student opportunity inside and outside the classroom can influence democratic outcomes • Societal influences work through college environment to also produce democratic skills and dispositions
Methods • Data Source • Longitudinal survey of students at 9 public universities • Sample • 4403 students • 68% female students • 71% white students • Analysis • Factor scales • EM algorithm (missing data) • Weighting • T-test • Blocked hierarchical regressions
Influence of Pre-college and College Variables on Democratic Outcomes Background Characteristics Democratic Outcomes Pre-college Socialization Ability to See Multiple Perspectives Institutional Characteristics and Climate Conflict Enhances Democracy College Interaction with Diverse Peers Importance of Social Action Engagement Curricular/Co-Curricular Context Societal Influences
Discussion • Attention to the quality of students’ interaction with diverse peers – promotes dispositions for citizenship in a diverse democracy • Educators must become more intentional about civic education in college • IGR, diversity courses, service learning, diversity programs • Importance of period effects in college impact research
For More Information • Diverse Democracy Project University of Michigan 610 E. University, 514 SEB Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1259 • Phone: 734.647.7439 • E-mail: divdemo@umich.edu • Website: http://www.umich.edu/~divdemo/