Experiential Education for Community Development

These 20 essays illustrate teaching strategies that can be incorporated into community-based practicums and internships. The book explores the innovative uses of experiential education in community work. Useful techniques for community problem-solving and ways in which groups can learn to work together more effectively are provided. There are new applications of democratic practice. Mutual self-respect and collective self-reliance are encouraged. Practitioners will find they can have power in an increasingly interdependent society and world. Experiential Education for Community Development suggests a degree of pre-planning accompanied by analysis.

The essays are organized by topic. Two beginning essays provide an overview and general theoretical orientation to the material. The next four sections offer a variety of case studies on community work education experience in the United States and other countries drawn primarily from programs of community and organizational development and community education. An afterword presents a synthesis of the editors’ findings and an assessment of the future of experiential education in community work. This volume is the third in a series on the concepts, issues, and strategies of community development education and training. Experiential Education for Community Development is a valuable resource for practitioners and teachers of community work.