Civic Engagement

St. Mary’s University has a set of core classes that its students are required to take. One of those courses is SMC2302: Civic Engagement and Social Action. The question is: should it be required? I say yes. Some might think this course is a waste of time, and that it does nothing to help them in their field of study. The truth is, this class shows students the skills and values that are needed in all sort of professions. It teaches students about civic engagement, community, service, and leadership, all of which are important in preparing them for the real world.

Civic engagement means becoming involved in the community to bring about some positive change. It is very close in meaning to public participation, which both Russell L. Dalton and

This not only introduces them to the community around them, but gives them an opportunity to become engaged by offering their time to help provide a service. It is through this service that students learn more about what issues exist. It allows them to see things in a different way by experiencing firsthand the things that other people go through daily. Most of us students are fortunate enough to attend college, and not have to deal with struggles like poverty and hunger. Being involved helps us to not only grow as students, but as persons. Seeing what sort of conditions people live in, especially those who live so close to the school, will give students a greater sense of social responsibility. This service project will help teach the students from San Antonio what they can do to give back to their community. As for the students from a different city or state, they will learn that “Our communities don’t have to be rooted in a specific time and place,” (Loeb, 349). We do not have to limit ourselves to helping areas that only we are familiar with. Help is needed in all places, and there is nothing wrong with lending a hand to those who need

More importantly, it teaches students how to be servant leaders. In Matt Perman’s article, “The 7 Characteristics of Servant Leadership,” he tells us that servant leaders pay attention to the needs of others, and put others before themselves. They are concerned for all people, especially the marginalized, and they seek the growth of those around them. These characteristics will not only be useful to students in their professional careers, but in their own personal lives. It is important that students develop leadership skills so that they could build better relationships, and work well with other people. In Patricia Mejia’s lecture, she told us that we need to know how to connect with others. Interacting with people is a part of life, and it is what helps our individual growth. Another speaker named Margaret Leeds also emphasized the importance of relationships. She explained to us that working together with others is how we get to a solution. In civic engagement, we are faced with different social problems. The only way to address these problems and solve them is by working with other