Broadly, civic leadership minor students will be able to: 

• Understand the role of active democratic participation and civic leadership in the civic health of communities.
• Understand the role of technology and science in civic life.
• Discuss the historical, legal, and sociopolitical frameworks of civic life.
• Discuss and address civic problems with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Explore the creative, cultural, and critical ways of engaging in the civic life of a community.
• Take action based on knowledge and skills developed through coursework in the minor and in the internship or creative portfolio, research, or project that supports democratic and civic life.
• Train students for careers in both private, nonprofit and public-sector, teaching them both hands-on technical skills ranging from debate and logic, problem solving, strategic management and leadership, design thinking, national security and ethical decision-making.

Addressing growing cynicism and distrust in government today calls for active citizen civic leaders. Framed and guided by James Madison’s legacy, civic leadership involves learning key skills to foster collaboration across differences, embracing complexity in decision making and in dialogue with others, and valuing pragmatic solutions that advance the common good. In many ways, this is the antithesis of what we see from contemporary national political leaders, making this class important for students wanting to engage deeply and meaningfully improve the civic health and participation of their communities.

Working with the civic leadership minor coordinator and a faculty advisor, students will complete a 3-6 credit civically engaged leadership internship and report. The internship is designed to provide an academic context for performing and analyzing off-campus work in government, public service, and non-profit settings. Utilizing knowledge, theories, dialogue, and collaboration methods and skills gained in CIV 300, students will assess and reflect on their internship experience in real time by writing weekly structured reflections.

Working with the civic leadership minor coordinator and a faculty advisor, students will complete a 3-6 credit civically engaged research or creative project. This course is designed to provide an academic context for conducting academic research or developing a creative project in civic leadership. Utilizing knowledge, theories, dialogue, and collaboration methods and skills gained in CIV 300, students will design and complete a supervised research project or creative project.

Students are required to complete an internship and report or complete or create a research project, product, or creative work demonstrating the integration of civic engagement concepts into the student’s major program. Civic Leadership minor students can take either their major department’s 400-level 3-credit research course or equivalent internship credit course in their final year before graduation. If students are unable to take a research or internship course in their major, they may be able to take the CIV minor’s 400 course.  

The internship and research project, product, or creative work options should substantially demonstrate students’ learned knowledge and developed skill set of civic engagement theories and practices within their major. Internships will be managed by the Madison Center and we will help students identify appropriate local and non-Harrisonburg and Rockingham County internships and civic service opportunities, including in Washington D.C. and Richmond. Students completing an internship will also complete a report describing their work, how the student utilized civic engagement concepts through the internship, and the impact of civic engagement. Non-internship students have the option to complete a rigorous research project, product/portfolio, or creative work that demonstrates their civic engagement learning. 

Learning Outcomes of Internship:

• Students will explore the role of active democratic participation within local government and its effect on the civic health and “common good” of communities
• Students will apply knowledge and skills developed through coursework in the minor to support democratic and civic life
• Students will practice discussing civic problems with people of diverse backgroundsStudents will observe and identify the historical, legal, and sociopolitical frameworks of civic life
• Students will practice professional communication and managing supervisory relationships
• Students will explore the creative, cultural and critical ways of engaging in the civic life of a community 
• Students will complete reflections summarizing observations, experiences, and recommendations for the site supervisor 
• Students will define their own public service values and build practical, collaborative leadership skills
• Students will operate in a professional context for the public good that is designed to encourage innovation, leverage technology, and adapt to the needs of a changing nation in an evolving global context
• Students will explore the role of government as a responsible steward of financial resources, diligent in avoiding waste, and proactive in helping citizens understand the long-term sustainability of its operations.