Human Development and Capability Approach: Alternative Conceptual Frameworks for Community Engagement and Service-Learning

Abstract

This chapter makes three contributions. First, it address the under-theorisation of community engagement and service-learning and introduces the human development and capability approach as central ideas framing the book. Second, the chapter teases out what community engagement and service-learning would look like when foregrounded in human development processes and values. Third and finally, the chapter uses the human development and capability approach to flag up capabilities valued by staff, students and external communities as a result of community engagement and service-learning participation. Defining capabilities as valued outcomes of community engagement and service-learning in human development processes addresses criticisms of unequal partnerships. This also connotes university–community relationships as human development and common good projects.