As Conor's post mentions, the UW is offering a certificate in civic engagement. And according to the Morgridge Center for Public Service website, the University has over 50 service learning-related courses. Given UW's leadership in producing life-long volunteers and public servants, my question is a simple one: should service learning be a part of an undergraduate's curriculum?
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I don't necessarily agree with mandating a service learning component (based on what little I do know about the service learning opportunities that exist). Some courses, particulary for science majors, don't easily lend themselves to service learning projects. Thus, it may end up being yet another GenEd requirement that is taken just to take it rather than to glean something from it (read: ethnic studies requirements, literature requirements for science majors, science breadth requirements for humanities students, etc.). Now, I'm not saying that those GenEd classes are not necessary or valuable; however, the way the system works basically negates their value.
That being said, I think volunteerism and civic engagement are essential parts of an undergraduate college experience. But I don't know enough about how a service learning mandate would be implemented to advocate for it...yet.
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