Publication Type: Abstract
Abstract: In 2003, representatives from the city of Raleigh, North Carolina, Wake County, NC, and local nonprofits began the arduous process of creating a ten-year plan to end homelessness in the area. NC State University played a significant role in this process through, among other means, requiring students enrolled in the “State and Local Government” class offered to all undergraduates through the political science department to fulfill the class’s service learning requirement by volunteering for community forums and targeted focus group sessions on the homeless topic. Additionally, all lectures in the class incorporated the topic of homelessness as the primary example for all discussions. Through their involvement, students had the opportunity to test theories set forth in class on a real world scenario that directly impacts the community they live in.
This proposed presentation will highlight the successes and flaws the students experienced through this process, as well as the potential pitfalls instructors may experience should they attempt a similar undertaking with local officials. Student comments and portions of their presentations will be included. Finally, I intend to compare the outcome and process to the general goals set forth by NC State University for classes that include service learning as a portion of the class curriculum.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: The demographic structure of North Carolina has changed rapidly in the recent past with Hispanics now making up 6.1 percent of the state’s population. News media have struggled with how to reflect these changes and have even received national attention for how it has been done. This study provides a qualitative framing analysis of Latinos in the Raleigh News & Observer for the first three months of 2003. Latinos are framed as out-of-control, as victims, and as disadvantaged, and as illegal. The study also finds that the paper is most likely reflecting Latinos within the stereotypical phase as defined by Wilson & Gutiérrez (1995).