Publicity Page . The liberal arts and education through public service share the goal of developing the basis for effective democratic citizenship. At the core of each service learning course is an experiential component centered around service. This allows the student to apply theory and knowledge from the classroom directly with hands-on experience that is of service to others.
Students then reflect in some form on how the two spheres interact.
This reflection may be through class discussion, journals, written assignments, or any other vehicle that the faculty member chooses. The service experience can allow the student to achieve an understanding of human community as well as of our particular society in a way which is more complex and effective than readings and class discussions alone. In addition, the community involvement fostered by the service experience can lead the student to a better understanding of the self. The public service program offers an interdisciplinary minor built upon courses that include a service learning component. More than 20 courses at Hobart and William Smith are part of this American Commitments program.