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Bridging Ethics and Engagement: The Promise of Service-Learning in Religion Courses

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Title: Bridging Ethics and Engagement: The Promise of Service-Learning in Religion Courses
Language: English
Authors: Catherine Wright, Candace Lapan (ORCID 0000-0001-9748-3843)
Source: Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning. 2026 32(1).
Availability: Edward Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning, University of Michigan. 1024 Hill Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-3310. Tel: 734-647-7402; Fax: 734-647-7464; Web site: https://journals.publishing.umich.edu/mjcsl/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 18
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Ethics, Learner Engagement, Service Learning, Religious Education, Civics, 21st Century Skills, Values, Ethical Instruction, General Education, Student Attitudes, Diversity, Learning Objectives, Undergraduate Students
Geographic Terms: North Carolina
DOI: 10.3998/mjcsl.8122
ISSN: 1076-0180
Abstract: Service-learning and community engagement (SLCE) are high-impact pedagogies that integrate academic learning with real-world experience to foster civic outcomes and address community needs. Although religion has long engaged questions of meaning, ethics, and communal life, its visibility within civic and community engagement (CCE) has diminished as the field has shifted toward reciprocal engagement models, rendering religion courses underutilized sites for CCE (Ray, 2017). Renewed integration offers mutual benefit: CCE can draw on religion's strengths in relational and reflective pedagogy, while religion courses gain structured frameworks that situate ethical inquiry in lived contexts and leverage documented student success outcomes (Lockeman & Pelco, 2013; Wright & Wall-Bassett, 2023; Yeh, 2010). This study examined SLCE in a General Education ethics course. Results showed significant gains in civic competencies, 21st-century skills, and value discernment. Although comfort with difference declined, 65.2% expressed interest in future SLCE courses, positioning religion programs as promising sites for advancing CCE.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 20260101
Accession Number: EJ1517828
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Bridging Ethics and Engagement: The Promise of Service-Learning in Religion Courses
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Catherine+Wright%22">Catherine Wright</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Candace+Lapan%22">Candace Lapan</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9748-3843">0000-0001-9748-3843</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Michigan+Journal+of+Community+Service+Learning%22"><i>Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning</i></searchLink>. 2026 32(1).
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  Data: Edward Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning, University of Michigan. 1024 Hill Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-3310. Tel: 734-647-7402; Fax: 734-647-7464; Web site: https://journals.publishing.umich.edu/mjcsl/
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  Data: 18
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ethics%22">Ethics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learner+Engagement%22">Learner Engagement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Service+Learning%22">Service Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Religious+Education%22">Religious Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Civics%22">Civics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%2221st+Century+Skills%22">21st Century Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Values%22">Values</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ethical+Instruction%22">Ethical Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22General+Education%22">General Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Diversity%22">Diversity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learning+Objectives%22">Learning Objectives</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Undergraduate+Students%22">Undergraduate Students</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22North+Carolina%22">North Carolina</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.3998/mjcsl.8122
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  Data: 1076-0180
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Service-learning and community engagement (SLCE) are high-impact pedagogies that integrate academic learning with real-world experience to foster civic outcomes and address community needs. Although religion has long engaged questions of meaning, ethics, and communal life, its visibility within civic and community engagement (CCE) has diminished as the field has shifted toward reciprocal engagement models, rendering religion courses underutilized sites for CCE (Ray, 2017). Renewed integration offers mutual benefit: CCE can draw on religion's strengths in relational and reflective pedagogy, while religion courses gain structured frameworks that situate ethical inquiry in lived contexts and leverage documented student success outcomes (Lockeman & Pelco, 2013; Wright & Wall-Bassett, 2023; Yeh, 2010). This study examined SLCE in a General Education ethics course. Results showed significant gains in civic competencies, 21st-century skills, and value discernment. Although comfort with difference declined, 65.2% expressed interest in future SLCE courses, positioning religion programs as promising sites for advancing CCE.
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        PageCount: 18
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Ethics
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      – SubjectFull: Service Learning
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      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
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