The Views of University Students about Civic Involvement Projects

Abstract

The aim of this study was to reveal the views of university students who conduct civic involvement projects about these projects. The case study research method, which is a qualitative research approach, and criterion sampling, a purposive sampling type, were used in the study. The participants were 20 university students from undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate education programs in 2021. The data for the study were collected through a questionnaire with five open-ended questions prepared by the researcher. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. At the end of the study, it was revealed that the studies of university students who conduct civic involvement projects are for students, children, animals, the elderly, and the environment; the projects provide educational, social, socio-economic, emotional, and individual contributions to individuals; the awareness of social sensitivity in individuals can be realized through education, social media, responsibility, and family; the projects contribute to individuals such as taking responsibility, being sensitive, and thinking broadly; and the definitions of social sensitivity are the same although they are expressed in different ways. As a result of the study, some suggestions are proposed, such as obtaining the opinions of instructors who conduct civic involvement projects and the individuals who apply to participate in these projects.