1. Final Reflections on Service Learning
POL S / ENVIR 385
POLS/LSJ/SIS Writing Center

2. Service Learning Assignment
4-5 page paper linking your service learning experience to the content and themes of the course
Should not be merely a description of your experience but should also be a critical reflection and analysis of that experience in light of what you have learned in this course.

3. Agenda What constitutes critical analysis?
Tips for approaching the assignment
Paper organization

4. What Constitutes Critical Analysis?
Critical Analysis is NOT
Description
Research
Critical Analysis will:
Assess the contribution you made (or did not make) through your service learning.
Evaluate your service learning experience through the lens of specific course material.

5. What Constitutes Critical Analysis?
Given the themes of this class, what are possible areas of analysis?

6. Critical Analysis – Tips for Getting Started
Take 15 minutes to do a short write after every shift
Look at the materials produced by the organization for public consumption
Work to draw connections between your readings/lectures and your activities at work

7. Critical Analysis – Writing Exercise
Where do this organization and its work fit into the broader political community? (focusing question)
Where does this organization and their work fit with the content of the course? (focusing question)
How does the group characterize its work? Would you characterize it in the same way? If no, where/what is the discrepancy? (analysis)
In light of what you have learned in the class, do you believe the organization’s work is effective/efficient? Why or why not? (analysis)
In light of your coursework and service learning work, what connections can you now find between the local and the global? (analysis)

8. Paper Organization Introduction Thesis Statement
Introduce the organization and the broad issues for your paper
Thesis Statement
Offer an argument about the work you have done in relation to the course material
Description of work done (what you gained questions - brief!)
Analysis (bulk of paper!)
Assessment of the work (what you gave questions)
Evaluate work through theoretical lens using the questions on previous slides as starting point (how it relates questions)
Conclusion

9. Writing Support http://depts.washington.edu/pswrite
Visit the POLS/LSJ/JSIS Writing Center website to:
Make an appointment to meet with one of our tutors
Find handouts to help you with organization, evidence, thesis statements and more on our website