The Impact of Community Engaged Learning and Narrative Persuasion on Student Attitudes Towards the Death Penalty

Authors

  • Thomas Wagner Xavier University
  • Jared Vornhagen Xavier University
  • Maria Vassanelli
  • Grant Zentmeyer

Abstract

Attitude change on the death penalty is highly relevant issue to both legal and public policy actors. The current study adopted a novel approach to student attitude change with exposure to first-person narratives through community engaged learning. Senior capstone students (n = 28) completed projects on the death penalty. Students submitted four journal reflection entries in three-week intervals, which captured attitude change and learning experiences over time. Coders examined 119,522 words and conducted thematic analysis. Participants who connected with a narrative experienced a significant reduction in death penalty support and increased advocacy intentions, attitude strength, and subject knowledge.

Author Biographies

Thomas Wagner, Xavier University

Thomas Wagner is Professor and Chair in the Communicaiton Department at Xavier University

Jared Vornhagen, Xavier University

Jared Scott Vornhagen is an undergraduate Psychology and Criminal Justice major at Xavier University

Maria Vassanelli

Maria Vassanelli (BA, Communication Studies, 2022 Xavier University)

Grant Zentmeyer

Grant Zentmeyer (BA, Communication Studies, 2021, Xavier University)

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Published

2025-06-24

Issue

Vol. 20 No. Summer (2025): The Journal of Service-Learning in Higher Education

Section

Articles

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