Teaching Attitudes of Cultural Understanding Through Service-Learning

Abstract

This chapter presents one example of how multicultural understanding, and thus peace, can be promoted in an institution of higher learning. Through a course taught in the geography department at James Madison University (JMU), students learn about the importance of culture in world affairs and are encouraged to experience another culture to fulfill a semester-project requirement. The course, Introduction to Cultural Geography, fulfills the Global Studies portion of the general education (liberal studies) requirements for JMU students. The primary service-learning activity has been the tutoring of refugees in the local public school system. The tutoring of refugees in the schools began in fall semester 1993, with 19 students from the Cultural Geography class. Word of the tutoring program has spread on campus, and some students now sign up for the Cultural Geography course just to have the opportunity to participate in this type of experiential learning.