Countering extremism through service learning: narratives learned from journalism students

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the case of the Aspiration, Communication and Transformation campaign conducted by journalism students to counter extremism as a form of experiential learning in Lebanese higher educational context. It documents the views and experiences of students in a service learning (SL) project for redressing a timely social issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a descriptive case study methodology involving a portraiture naturalistic approach for data gathering. It conducted semi-structured interviews with three participating students to learn from their experiences in countering extremism. This was complemented by two interviews with the instructor in charge of the project and an external stakeholder.

Findings

Results emphasized the combination of applying the broadcast technical skills of the course to countering extremism in a volatile political context.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are only a mild reflection of countering extremism through SL since it focused on a single case study involving a limited number of participants. However, the study offered common sense conclusions having broader applicability.

Practical implications

This topic is of particular importance to higher educational institutions and communities working on countering extremism through education, particularly in contexts rife with violence and ideological indoctrination.

Social implications

This paper has social implications on promoting awareness about extremism as a challenging social debacle. It presents workable recommendations for fostering a stronger relationship between higher education institutions and communities to defy extremism. It shows the importance of connecting curricula to community needs.

Originality/value

This paper fills a gap in the literature pertaining to the role of higher education institutions in countering extremism through SL in Lebanon and the MENA region.

Citation

Bou Zeid, M.R. (2019), "Countering extremism through service learning: narratives learned from journalism students", Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, Vol. 11 No. 4, pp. 686-697. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-11-2018-0246