Talking Points # 5 Kahne and Westheimer

Kahne and Westheimer argue that it is important for students to use service learning as a method for understanding the critical and systematic analysis of social problems, rather than use service learning as a method for often self-gratifying community service. They feel as though this will give them a more thorough understanding of the problems and will put them in a better situation to resolve them, on a long-term basis.

• "much of the current discussion regarding service learning emphasizes charity, not change"
  

• "Mr Johnson's curriculum included only minimal attention to any systematic analysis of the ills his students were helping to alleviate"

An important difference between the two methods of service learnign included in the article is the difference between civic-duty and systematic analysis. Mr. Johnson is criticized here for not ensuring that his students understood the systematic problem that was causing the people to be in a place where they required civic duty from others. These systematic problems are huge in our country, and being 'systematic' ensures that they will continue until the 'systems' are changed or eliminated. People in need require help, but how they became to be in a place requiring need is often never explored or given consideration, when in reality, in the grand scheme of things, it is more important than their immediate need for charity.

• "The class discussed the growing economic disparity between rich and poor, the impact of homelessness on children, and the difficult balance between individual rights and collective responsibility"

In contrast, Ms. Adams class looked further into the problem. It is important for students to realize why things are the way they are. It is worth considering that many of the students have spawned from rich, middle to upper class, white, republican parents who are probably not only aware of the economic disparity that exists, but proud of the fact that they "work hard for their money and shouldnt have to give to to welfare families that probably blow it on drugs anyway". There is a major schism in our country on the issue of re-distribution of wealth. Many people dont understand that many people on the bottom of the socio-economic scale are there as a result of the economic and social systems that are in place and that have systematically neglected them their whole life.

This article was very informative and quite progressive. I enjoyed it alot. I thought it was very well written. It was clear and precise, and provided evidence and solid convincing arguments for all of its points. I think it was the most important article we, as pre-service teachers, have read so far. It is definitely my favorite.