“Critical reflection is a crucial leadership skill. It is an art to be immersed in an experience—fully attentive to the intensity and complexity of the moment—and at the same time see the larger context of the work and one’s options for effective action. Critical reflection is the ability to develop a reflective stance in the midst of action.”
- Alma Blount, HLP Director

Well-structured opportunities for critical reflection are built into the year-long SOL program.

During the summer, students write the “Letters Home” — specific stories about people and incidents from daily life. At the end of the summer, with permission, one letter from each student is chosen to be included in a booklet called “Telling the Story,” which is distributed to returning SOLsters on the first day of class in the fall. SOL participants also write two critical reflection reports on their summer community-based research projects. These reports give students the opportunity to reflect on their summer research questions and methodologies while in the midst of the research process.

In the fall, critical reflection takes the form of weekly point-of-view essays, a policy memo and a leadership analysis paper—all required assignments in the fall capstone seminar.

This reflective practice that combines experience with academic study is instrumental in helping students to learn about complex social systems, policy change and leadership.

Letters Home Index

Telling the Story:
Letters Home from SOL 2004 Interns

Telling the Story:
Letters Home from SOL 2003 Interns

Windows:
Letters Home from SOL 2002 Interns

Glimpses Into the Way Things Are:
Letters Home from SOL 2001 Interns

Telling the Story:
Letters Home from SOL 2000 Interns

Critical Reflection Reports And Research Templates

2006

Kate Guthrie, the Bronx, New York.
Critical Reflection Report 1
Research Template 1
Critical Reflection Report 2
Research Template 2
Click here to view Kate's community-based research project.