OSUN Themes: Civic Engagement; Democratic Practice; Human Rights
Civic Engagement and Social Action
Term: January 30, 2024 – May 23, 2024Level: 200-Level
Day/Time: Tuesday; Thursday 10:00 AM - 11:20 AM EST
Instructor(s): Jonathan Becker, Bard College
Erin Cannan, Bard College
What does it mean to be engaged with your community? What can students participating in civic engagement projects learn from others in universities in places like Haiti, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh and the United States? This course will examine historical, philosophical and practical elements of civic engagement while exploring the underlying question of what it means to be civically engaged in the early 21st century. Together, students will explore issues related to political participation, civil society, associational life, social justice, and personal responsibility, as well as how issues like race and socio-economic status impact civic participation. The class reflects a balance between study and the practice of engagement, which includes interrogating theoretical notions of civic life, while also empowering students to be active participants in the communities in which they are situated. The culminating project asks students to propose a civic engagement project in their home or local community. This course will feature workshops, lectures and seminar discussions. Special class visits will incorporate experiences of civic leaders, local officials, global not-for-profit leaders, and volunteers from communities proximate to participating OSUN campuses.
This course uniquely combines three types of course offerings into one. It is an OSUN Network Collaborative Course, an OSUN Online course (meaning it will be primarily offered online) and an Engaged Liberal Arts and Science (ELAS) course. This means that there are multiple ways we engage with ideas and people. The course is also a core course for OSUN's Certificate in Civic Engagement. There will be additional in-person meetings for students in Bard Annandale.
Credits: 4 US / 8 ECTS