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Civic Engagement Minor

College of Individualized Studies
Undergraduate minor

If you are interested in changing your community for the better, you may want to consider a minor in civic engagement. Through the minor you will be able to develop a combination of knowledge, skills, values, and experiential learning that will allow you to promote socially responsible daily behavior; community, and economic development; community service; and grass-roots activity and advocacy that will benefit you and those around you.

The minor requires 20 credits of course work.

Student outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

  • know and understand:
    • multiple perspectives on the role of citizens and civic engagement in a democratic society
    • at least one specific issue area or context in which civic engagement takes place and/or increase development of at least one set of civic engagement skills
  • know:
    • the variety of forms of civic engagement and have the ability to assess the efficacy of different approaches and strategies
    • critical social, cultural, political and historical dynamics that underlie the practice of civic engagement from a US and/or global perspective
  • be able to integrate theory and experience Reflect on the role of civic engagement in one's life

Related minors

Current students: Declare this program

Once you’re admitted as an undergraduate student and have met any further admission requirements your chosen program may have, you may declare a major or declare an optional minor.

Future students: Apply now

Apply to Metropolitan State: Start the journey toward your Civic Engagement Minor now. Learn about the steps to enroll or, if you have questions about what Metropolitan State can offer you, request information, visit campus or chat with an admissions counselor.

Get started on your Civic Engagement Minor

Program eligibility requirements

To be admitted to the Civic Engagement minor, students must meet with the minor advisor and complete a minor declaration form. The advisor orients students to the minor and provides consultation throughout the program. For more information and advising, please contact the College of Individualized Studies  individualized.studies@metrostate.edu

To be admitted to the Civic Engagement minor, students must meet with the minor advisor and complete a minor declaration form. The advisor orients students to the minor and provides consultation throughout the program.

Course requirements

If you are interested in changing your community for the better, you may want to consider a minor in civic engagement. Through the minor you will be able to develop a combination of knowledge, skills, values, and experiential learning that will allow you to promote socially responsible daily behavior; community, and economic development; community service; and grass-roots activity and advocacy that will benefit you and those around you. Learning Outcomes • know and understand:multiple perspectives on the role of citizens and civic engagement in a democratic society o Identify at least one specific issue area or context in which civic engagement takes place and/or increase development of at least one set of civic engagement skills • know the variety of forms of civic engagement, and have the ability to assess the efficacy of different approaches and strategies o Compare critical social, cultural, political, and historical dynamics that underlie the practice of civic engagement from a US and/or global perspective • Integrate theory, practice, and experience, in civic engagement projects • Reflect on the role of civic engagement in one's life

Requirements (20 credits)

Foundation (4 credits)
Civic Skills and/or issues (8 credits)

Two courses from the following: COMM 320 Individual Rights and Public Discourse (4 credits) CJS 350 Citizenship: Community Involvement (4 credits) ETHS 304 Environmental Justice and Public Policy (4 credits) ETHS 303 Politics of Resistance and Protest Movements (4 credits) HIST 309 Women and Public Activism (4 Credits) HIST 315 The Civil Rights Movement in the 1960’s (4 credits) HUM 380 – Environmental Humanities (4 credits) IDST 317 Women in Minnesota: Education, Politics and Social Change HSER 325 Working with/in Community (4 credits) HSG 384 Civic Engagement in Later Life (4 credits) IDST 321 Human Rights and the Educated Person (4 credits) POL 301 Citizenship in Global Context (4 credits) POL 304 Social Movements in Global Context (4 credits) POL 312 Advocacy for Policy Change (4 credits) POL 333 Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (4 credits) POL 342 Lobbying: A Citizen’s Guide to the Legislative Process (4 credits) RELS 07 Civil Religion: Theory, Practice, Analysis (4 credits) SOC 309: Homelessness: Critical Issues for Policy and Practice SOC 311 Community Organizing and Social Action (4 credits) SOC 319 Politics, Markets and Society (4 credits) SSCI 350 Civic Engagement, the Social Sciences, and Public Life (4 credits)

Elective courses (8 credits)(selected with approval of Civic Engagement minor advisor).

This may include other courses under the list above, with Advisor approval, courses that students choose based on their specific interests in Civic Engagement, and/or Student Designed Independent Study (SDIS), Faculty Designed Independent Study (SDIS), Internships, or Prior Learning Credits (PLA) related to topics in Civic Engagement.