Theory in Action
We believe that education is best when it serves a purpose and when the educator and the student are consciously aware of that purpose. The specifics of that purpose may vary from person to person, but the ultimate goal for us is to improve the world in which we live. When we study theory it is not just to learn why things occur; it also is to explore how we can shape the occurrence of events. Here in the Department of Criminal Justice at Fayetteville State University we not only study what is, we encourage our students and ourselves to explore the question: "What ought to be," never assuming that there is only one answer to the question. We embrace diversity at Fayetteville State University, in our faculty, staff, and students, as well as in our ideas and perspectives.
Practical (Praxis)
For adult learning to take place, it is essential to make education relevant to the audience. Our journey into academics is grounded in real-life situations and experiences. Learning does not only include obtaining knowledge about theoretical explanations and organizational analyses, it is about applying knowledge and developing skills which serve practical situations. We believe that theory and the real world are dialectically linked, with each one shaping the other; therefore, it is incomplete to learn only one separate from the other. We seek to make the educational experience a rewarding and productive exercise for learner and teacher alike.
Change Agents
One of those practical outcomes includes the production of change agents who have the knowledge and skills to enhance their own environment. We seek to instill in our graduates the highly marketable skills of innovation, adaptability and insight. We want to produce visionaries, able to imagine a world that fully embraces justice and equality, as well as activists who are inspired to contribute to the accomplishment of this end.
Service
We hope to instill in our students, faculty, and staff a strong commitment to service. Our profession is all about service to the community and the world as we seek to make a better place for all to live. We embrace the spirit of putting our ideas, our research and our theories into action. We believe strongly in scientifically rigorous, socially and politically aware, improvement-oriented research. We also believe in sharing our knowledge and skills with the local, state, national, and international community.
Theory in Action is not an empty phrase for us. It is a commitment to providing a quality education that has substance and practical value to the student, the teacher, and the community at-large.
Location: Fayetteville, NC, USA
Website: Fayetteville State University
