Regarding Dave Surbeck comments about the increased workweek not
substantiated, I know that I've hear a number of studies that say the
contrary. If anyone has any data about this please chime in.
Regardless, the perception of working more is still very much there.
One thing that has escaped this discussion is the characteristics of
traditional "civic associations." I'd like to challenge this notion and
perhaps critique Putnam's use of the "bowling metaphor" to make his
point. Quite frankly, I sense the need tocreate a new genre of civic
association based on entirely new lines that cross class and "racial"
boundaries. Yes, these associations do not come easy and in fact may
raise the stress levels of those involved. At the same time something
special happens when new bonds are forged--- learning takes place. The
social service agency, like the bowling league, was not created to foster
a learning environment. The former was set up to dispence services--
hence "citizen as client" (see Harry Boyte's work) while the later is
posited as "citizen as sportsman." Neither model fosters much in the
area of community bonds (competition maybe).
Service learning, taking a very long term horizon mind you, expands the
learning environment into spheres that have not been viewed as such-- the
soup kitchen, the civil rights board, the tutoring program, the nursing
home, etc. are transformed into learning environments. People who have
been conceived of as "clients" become "teachers" and "learners." I want
to reconceive of civic association to mean a "learning environment." And
so any sphere, institution, chance happening in which one or both or all
persons impacted by the situation can say "we are learning something
here" is a civic association.
When we talk of "social capital" I hear Dwight suggesting that our "hope"
lies in our intellectual capital. To (reluctantly) follow the market
metaphor, what is the market for such intellectual capital? Are those of
us who are priveleged enough to receive an education the ONLY people who
have access to such capital? It seems to me that service learning is all
about creating new markets for the transference of this capital.
Everyone in the mix, from the student to faculty to the community members
must be capable of dealing in this capital. The question becomes, what
civic associations can be created or are existing that help faciltate
this exchange? Pardon me for sounding a bit highbrow here, but I doubt
that a bowling league would be the first place to look (although I'm sure
intellectual capital is capable of being exchanged between frames).
Let me ask then, what associations have you all seen that helps to
faciltate the development of the citizen as learner?
regards, Chris Koliba