Lucy Lee

I have worked for many years with Dr. Susan Harris at JEP, who has gathered data from JEP students every semester, making use of my 1999 Cynicism Scale. We have tried to examine the connection, if any, between service learning curricula and civic engagement.

Given the rise of social media and the powerful role of online influencers, I am examining more narrowly the question of how social media use affects critical thinking and communication skills, particular writing. It seems clear that relying on social media platforms as information sources and primary outlets for interpersonal interaction carries some risks. This is being widely reported (i.e., in Andrew Marantz's recent book, "Anti-Social"). How do we, as educators seeking to cultivate skills that allow our students to wrestle with tough problems and consider multiple points of view, teach the responsible use of social media? How do social media affect levels of political cynicism in students, whether that is expressed in disengagement or combative rhetoric or actions? I revised my survey instrument last semester and will be doing some pilot data collection in this election year.

Based on an analysis of data collected prior to the 2004 presidential election, college students participating in service learning activities are not significantly more or less cynical about politics and government than are other students. Students express varied motivations for participating in volunteerism or service learning, but share with all students an expressed need for more detailed and unbiased information to help them form opinions about contentious political issues.

Note: Dr. Susan Harris and I will continue to work on this paper, time permitting, with updated information collected each semester over the past three years from students participating in the Joint Educational Project. We have continued to gather data using the instrument originally designed in 2004, and based on my 1999 dissertation research.