Community-Based Academic Outreach for Enhancing Sociological Literacy among Senior High School Students in Eastern Indonesia

Prapti Murwani; Bernadus Williem Titing; Jouverd Fendli Frans; Johanis Talaperuw

Authors

Prapti Murwani Universitas Pattimura, Indonesia
Bernadus Williem Titing Universitas Pattimura, Indonesia
Jouverd Fendli Frans Universitas Pattimura, Indonesia
Johanis Talaperuw Universitas Pattimura, Indonesia

Keywords:

Academic Outreach, Community Engagement, Higher Education Socialization, Participatory Education, Sociological Literacy

Abstract

This study examines the effectiveness of a community-based academic outreach approach in enhancing sociological literacy among senior high school students in Eastern Indonesia, particularly in understanding the relevance of sociology to contemporary social realities. The research was motivated by students’ limited understanding of social science disciplines and the continued dominance of administrative and non-participatory higher education outreach practices. A qualitative descriptive approach with a participatory community engagement paradigm was employed at SMAS Angkasa Pattimura Ambon. Research participants included twelfth-grade students, supervising teachers, and the sociology department’s community service team. Data were collected through participatory observation, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, documentation, and participant reflections, and analyzed using an interactive thematic approach. The findings reveal that participatory academic outreach significantly improved students’ understanding of sociological concepts, social inquiry, curriculum structures, and the academic and professional prospects of sociology. Students also demonstrated greater reflective capacity in interpreting social inequality, cultural change, social conflict, and digital social dynamics within their communities. Compared with conventional lecture-based socialization, the interactive model fostered stronger critical dialogue and active engagement. This study contributes a novel perspective by reconstructing academic outreach as a transformative instrument for strengthening sociological literacy and intellectual empowerment rather than merely institutional promotion within peripheral educational contexts.

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