Title: Exploring the pedagogical outcomes of service learning in international public relations education

Authors: Astrid Sheil, C.M. Bahk

Addresses: Department of Communication Studies, California State University, San Bernardino, 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA 92407, USA. ' Department of Communication Studies, California State University, San Bernardino, 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA 92407, USA

Abstract: The present study examines an innovation in service learning that amplifies the pedagogical outcomes for international public relations students. Approximately 12 public relations and advertising majors (six seniors and six juniors) participated in the international service learning project involving the development of public relations strategies for the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in Washington, DC, USA. Student reflections were collected over a period of 18 months. The results parallel the findings of the longitudinal study conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) on the impact of community-based service learning. The implications of introducing international service learning to public relations education are also discussed.

Keywords: public relations education; innovation; curriculum development; student reflections; international learning; pedagogical outcomes; pedagogy; Patriotic Union of Kurdistan; Higher Education Research Institute; HERI; universities; community-based service learning; USA; United States.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIL.2010.031947

International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 2010 Vol.7 No.3, pp.274 - 289

Published online: 03 Mar 2010 *

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