Does Emphasizing Social Engagement Increase Self-Perceived Effectiveness in Addressing Poverty?

This research evaluates whether student self-perceptions of effectiveness in addressing poverty changed as a result of taking a course that emphasized social activism and provided opportunities for community engagement. Students from five sections (n=97) of a one-credit hour transition course at a four-year public institution were assigned to read sections of Soul of a Citizen by Paul Rogat Loeb, which emphasizes social engagement by using personal stories of social activism. Students were also informed via peer presentation about the profile of indigent community members served by a local non-profit organization and informed about the possibility to volunteer at the non-profit. Class time was spent on discussing the text. A survey was created and administered at the beginning and closer to the end of the course to examine perceptions of poverty. Students were asked, “How effective can you personally be at addressing poverty?” The choices ranged from 1 (very ineffective) to 5 (very effective). Participants who attend the poster session will learn the student perceptions of effectiveness in addressing poverty at time 1 (pre-) and time 2 (post-) survey. Participants will also learn if changes in perceptions were significant. Lastly, the researchers will share recommendations for further study based on results