Minor in Leadership and Civic Engagement
Northern Studies Department, University of Alaska Fairbanks
The Minor in Leadership and Civic Engagement offers students a concentration of courses that will strengthen their abilities to lead and contribute effectively in both public and private spheres, in the polity, in the work place, and in other arenas. It offers students theoretical and practical insight related to Alaskan and American history, politics, and political culture, as well international and global perspectives. The introductory course focuses on civic participation, which is the essence of leadership in America. The capstone course emphasizes experiential learning designed to prepare students for efficacious leadership and participation in organizations.
Requirements for the Leadership and Civic Engagement Minor are (15 credits):
NORS/PS 205 Leadership, Citizenship and Choice (3+0)
This introductory course to the Minor in Leadership and Civic Engagement is designed for students who are interested in contributing to political and community life in America, and especially in Alaska. The course rests on the premise that civic engagement is the essence of leadership in America. We examine the psychology of leadership–why people take on leadership roles, the rewards of leadership, and requisite qualities and skills for leaders in American and Alaskan contexts. We examine ethical dilemmas of leadership and political and social issues that have long troubled both Alaska and American society. We examine the expectations, challenges and opportunities of citizenship in Alaska. We examine fundamental American democratic ideals and principles and such questions as what it means to be an “American.”
Students choose three electives from the following courses:
Students must choose at least one political science and one history course.
PS 202 Democracy and Global Society (3+0) s alternate spring
PS 263 Alaska Native Politics (3+0) s fall, spring
PS 301 American Presidency (3+0) s alternate fall
PS 315 American Political Thought (3+0) s alternate spring
PS 462 Alaska Government and Politics (3+0) s alternate spring
HIST 131 History of the United States (3+0) s fall
HIST 132 History of the United States (3+0) s spring
HIST 361 Early American History (3+0) s alternate fall
HIST 364 History of the US 1945 – Present (3+0) s alternate spring
RD 300 Rural Development in a Global Perspective fall
RD 325 Community Development Strategies spring
3) NORS 486 – Senior Seminar in Leadership and Civic Engagement.
The Senior Seminar in Leadership and Civic Engagement is the capstone course for the Minor in Leadership and Civic Engagement. We revisit themes initially explored in the introductory seminar to the Minor, but the capstone course emphasizes experiential learning. It places students who have examined principles of leadership and citizenship in the American tradition and who have explored the psychology of leadership in internship positions in government and other agencies where they will apply these principles and gain practical experience in leadership and civic participation. Thus, the course operates essentially as a launching pad for students who aim to be active and efficacious citizens.
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