13 July to 20 July

SAGE's voluntary work module: an invitation to grow and reflect?

When we introduced a compulsory 'volunteering' module to SAGE, some critics of the idea asked how it could be a voluntary module if students would be required to do it. Of course, though they had a point, these sparkling wits had simply failed to think things through carefully enough, since the module's title refers to the unpaid nature of the work the students undertake, rather than to the question of whether they have a choice about whether or not to do it.

So far, students have undertaken work for this module in a wide range of different places, from Cambodia to South America; from Romania to Jordan, and from the Ghandi Hall on our Headingley campus, to locations in India and Pakistan. The work we have assessed, including reflective diaries; scrap books; placement evaluations and 'live' presentations, suggests significant success for this innovative module. It also suggests that SAGE is turning out students who are able to reflect ethically, both on their place in the world, and about how they can make a difference. What more could we want in a School that aims to engage practically with things, rather than merely thinking about the world in an abstract way?

Gavin Fairbairn, Professor of Ethics and Language and Paul Dowson, Acting Subject Leader, Applied Global Ethics.