This certificate is designed to help students from any disciplinary major develop competencies and skills regarding United States civics from diverse perspectives. The certificate provides students with many course options to complete introductory and advanced coursework tailored to their individual interests. Student demand for such a certificate will likely come from students who major in the social sciences, but also from students who have an interest in completing coursework in American civics, public policy, and equity from other disciplines. This certificate promotes civic engagement and participation in the political process.
Students will engage in the following focus areas:
HISTORICAL AND LEGAL CONTEXT
Courses completed in this area facilitate the development of knowledge and skills related to the American founding, the United States Constitution, American political development, political actors and institutions, constitutional law and the legal system, and the rights and duties of citizenship, among others. Learning objectives for these courses vary depending on the department offering the course selections and the specific courses selected, but students should generally develop broad knowledge of historical and contemporary aspects of American political institutions and civic engagement. While many of these courses employ historical and/or legal approaches to the study of civics, additional or alternative approaches may also be utilized, such as analytical lenses that are theoretical or applied in nature. Courses typically emphasize critical thinking and written communication skills and may also involve independent or collaborative original research projects or experiential learning beyond the classroom.
PUBLIC POLICY
Courses completed in this area facilitate the development of knowledge and skills pertaining to the formulation, analysis, and critique of public policy. Courses included in this category examine public policy from diverse perspectives using numerous methodological approaches. Individual courses may engage in the study of the primary actors, entrepreneurs, and institutions that formulate public policy, examine policy from a public administration perspective, and/or provide a focused analysis of policy within the context of a specific issue area, among others. Learning objectives for these courses vary depending on the department offering the course selections, but students should generally expect to engage in an immersive study of public policy as outlined in each course description.
EQUITY
Courses completed in this area facilitate the development of knowledge and skills regarding equity in politics and society. Topics of study may include social movements, social justice, political reforms related to protected classes, criminal justice reform, societal inequalities, public goods, and responsible citizenship, among others. Courses may have a historical, contemporary, and/or futuristic focus and may approach the study of equity from theoretical, analytical, practical, critical, or aspirational perspectives, among others. Learning objectives for these courses vary depending on the department offering the course selections, but students should generally develop competencies in their particular area of study with each course addressing political or social equity in some meaningful capacity.