SERVICE LEARNING & OCCUPATIONAL JUSTICE

What is service learning?

Service-learning is a "course-based, credit-bearing educational experience that allows students to (a) participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs and (b) reflect on the service activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility" (Bringle & Hatcher, 1995, p. 112).

The following points further define service learning:

1. The learner provides the service, the service-recipients provide the learning. Seen similarly - the service reinforces and strengthens the learning; the learning reinforces and strengthens the service.
2. It is a way of “learning by doing.” Aristotle, said, “We become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts.” Similarly, MacNichol (1993) stated, “[We become] compassionate by doing compassionate acts, caring by doing caring acts, and good citizens by acting as good citizens.”
3. It builds the “5 C’s”of: caring, compassion, character, citizenship, and connections (Wills, 1992).
4. It uses reflection as an important component to support the learning process. Reflection can occur in a variety of forms: reflection in action, reflection upon action, and reflection upon reflection.
5. The outcome of service learning is typically two-fold: 1). To empower the learner; 2) To empower the service recipient.

How can I learn more?
Go to the following websites to learn more about service learning:

• National Service-Learning Clearinghouse
• Learn and Serve America
• New Horizons for Learning
• National Service Learning Partnership
• Canadian Alliance for Community Service Learning

What is occupational justice?

Occupational justice is “justice related to opportunities and resources required for occupational participation sufficient to satisfy personal needs and full citizenship” (Christensen & Townsend, 2004, p. 278). An occupationally just society or world would enable persons to decide and do that which is most meaningful and useful to themselves, their families, communities, and nations (Christiansen & Townsend, 2004).

The following points further define occupational justice:

1. Numerous sub-types of occupational injustices have been identified (Christiansen & Townsend, 2004). Among them are the following:
• Occupational deprivation – when people cannot engage in occupations that are necessary and meaningful to them due to factors outside their control;
• Occupational alienation – when people experience a prolonged disconnectedness, emptiness, and/or sense of meaninglessness;
• Occupational imbalance – when some people are over-occupied and others are under-occupied.
2. To promote occupational justice in a population or community one might engage in: awareness raising, activism, advocacy, education, training, and experiential teaching (Duncan & Watson, 2004).
3. Occupational justice initiatives that empower individuals and communities while ensuring sustainability of the initiative are the ones most successful in promoting change.

How can I learn more?
Go to the following websites to learn more about occupational justice:

• Occupational Justice: An Effort to Diminish Occupational Injustice
• Occupational Opportunities for Refugees and Asylum Workers

How do service learning and occupational justice fit together for Guatemala 2013?

Go to the syllabi for the HOCS 323 Occupational Justice I and HOCS 405 Occupational Justice II courses to find out.

References:

Bringle, R., & Hatcher, J. (1995). A service learning curriculum for faculty. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 2, 112-122.

Christiansen, C. H., & Townsend, E. A. (2004). Introduction to occupation: The art and science of living. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Duncan, M., & Watson, R. (2004). Transformation through occupation: Towards a prototype. In R. Watson & L. Swartz (Eds.), Transformation through occupation (pp. 301-318). London, Whurr.

Kronenberg, F., Algado, S. S., & Pollard, N. (2005). Occupational therapy without borders: Learning from the spirit of survivors. Edinburgh, England: Elsevier.