At+the+cross-roads+of+dissonance

**At the cross-roads of dissonance: Border pedagogy and meaning-making** **of service-learning in India** Dilafruz Williams, Professor, Portland State University williamsdi@pdx.edu] Thomas Van Cleave, Program Director, International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership tjv@pdx.edu]



**Keywords:** Border crossing, meaning-making, dissonance, international service-learning, India

**Track:** Student development and learning

**Format:** Research paper


 * Date & time: **Friday 9:30-10:40

**Location:** Wilson

**Summary:** This paper uses the frameworks of border crossing and border pedagogy (Anzaldúa, 1987; Giroux, 1992; Taylor, 2002) to identify ways in which students construct understandings after a service-learning experience in India. Data are drawn from 24 Portland State University students in two cohorts (2010 and 2011): Daily written reflections and oral discussions in India; evaluative feedback given to host institution on final day; and students’ written papers after re-entering their home context. Using thematic content analysis, the study reveals a complex meaning-making process for students, one that integrates cognitive and emotional dissonance along with intercultural understanding and questioning of taken-for-granted assumptions.

Experiences of serving abroad create dissonance for students at the host site and on re-entry into their American context/life. It is at the cross-roads of dissonance that significant learning occurs. For this, space must be given to students to make meaning of what appears to be a life-transforming experience. Given the growth in international service-learning programs, it is critical that instructors recognize no matter how much they might “prepare” students for a foreign context, it is through structured and open reflection, sharing of feelings, and critical engagement, that students process their learning and experience and develop depth of cross-cultural understandings.

**References:** Aguilar, A., & Gingerich. (2002). Experiential pedagogy for study abroad: Educating for global citizenship. //Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 8,// 41-82.

Anzaldúa, G. (1987). //Borderlands/La Frontera: The new Mestiza.// San Francisco, CA: Aunt Lute books.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Annette, J. (2001). Service learning in an international context. //Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 8//, 83-93.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Collier, P., & Williams, D. (2005). Reflection in action: The learning-doing relationship. In C. Cress, P. Collier, & V. Reitenauer (Eds.), //Learning Through Serving: A Student Handbook for Service-Learning Across the Disciplines// (pp. 83-97). Sterling, VA: Stylus.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Crabtree, R. (2008). Theoretical foundations for international service-learning. //Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 15//(1), 18-36.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Eyler, J., & Giles, D. E. (1999). //Where’s the learning in service-learning?// San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Giroux, H. (1992). //Border crossings: Cultural workers and the politics of education//. New York, NY: Routledge.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Hayes, E., & Cuban, S. (1997). Border pedagogy: A critical framework for service-learning. //Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 4,// 45-57.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Jay, G. (2008). Service learning, multiculturalism, and the pedagogies of difference//. Pedagogy, 8//(2), 255-281.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Montrose, L. (2002). International study and experiential learning: The academic context. //Frontier: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad,// 1-15.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Parker, B., & Dautoff, D. (2007). Service-learning and study abroad: Synergistic learning opportunities. //Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 13//(2), 40-53.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Taylor, J. (2002). Metaphors we serve by: Investigating the conceptual metaphors framing national and community service and service-learning. //Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning,// 45-57.

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