Advancing Knowledge and Academic Skills with Fieldwork as the Catalyst.

It is hypothesized that the learning afforded by two kinds of educational experiences, standard coursework and volunteer fieldwork, can be enhanced considerably through their integration into a psychology fieldwork course which includes certain additional features designed to facilitate the synergistic process. These features include individualized reading, analytical writing, and multidimensional evaluation. The year-long course is open to approximately 15 superior senior psychology majors, and includes weekly classes, six hours of fieldwork, and progress reports which summarize experiences and critique individualized readings. Within this conceptual perspective, the fieldwork is seen as a catalyst in augmenting the intellectual challenges and academic benefits associated with other course activities, advancing further the student's knowledge and academic skills of inquiry, analysis, and communication. (Author/LS)