Increasing Social Care Through Civic Education in Higher Education

Abstract

This study aims to build students’ social care through an engagement-based Civic Education curriculum at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, whose students have diverse backgrounds. This study was developed based on the qualitative approach through 1) a focus group discussion to analyze the efficacy of the engagement learning model in the Civic Education curriculum, 2) a workshop focused on the development of engagement learning models, 3) expert validation using the engagement learning model instrument, 4) implementation of the engagement learning model, and 5) reflections on the engagement learning model implementation. The results of this study show that the Engagement Learning Model can enhance social care by fostering mutual respect for diversity, promoting social cohesion, cultivating empathy towards others, and encouraging volunteerism. The researcher used the social value theory to analyze students’ social care. This engagement learning model can develop a social collaboration promoting each student's unique characteristics. Students were trained to be critical and socially sensitive through the engagement project consisting of social activities in the community in Civic Education learning. It shows that increasing students' care from Civic Education may positively influence students' knowledge, attitudes, and social relations when working within their groups. It affected their respect and acceptance of diversity, social cohesion that forms cooperation, sympathy for others that includes social solidarity, and a sense of volunteerism that makes students solve social problems with other groups.