GC American Democracy Project
Active Citizenship in the Curriculum

Student Civic Learning Outcomes

Frequently Asked Questions

Active Citizenship means building stronger, healthier, and safer communities. Active citizens who invest their personal time and energy in working for change come from every sector and field of study. They are citizen bankers, citizen scientists, and citizen educators to name just a few. Active citizens come from all backgrounds and experiences, but share a commitment to actively promoting the rights of all people, seeking just solutions to problems, and working with others to improve community life and culture. Please keep this definition in mind as well as the following learning outcomes in affiliating courses with the Active Citizenship Course Listing.

1. Knowledge/ Comprehension
Recalls information, concepts, and theories that are essential to public deliberation, community engagement,  human rights, justice, and equality; internalizes this knowledge to create meaning.

2. Analysis
Practices critical thinking as a guide to beliefs and actions that lead to insuring community well-being, human rights and just societies.

3. Synthesis
Thinks creatively to generate effective strategies towards community well-being,  human rights, justice, and equality.

4. Planning/ Implementation   
Applies civic knowledge to build just and equitable societies and work for community improvement.

5. Communication   
Effectively communicates ideas and concepts in order to engage with others to achieve effective active citizenship

6. Leadership   
Inspires, facilitates, or collaborates with others to build community life and just societies.

7. Cultural competency   
Functions effectively in a pluralistic society.

8. Evaluation   
Assesses the value of civic engagement, service learning, and leadership education initiatives.

9. Grounding   
Considers ones own values, motivations, and passions when working to create change in society.

10. Responding   
Builds and maintains interpersonal relationships in order to achieve the goals of effective citizenry

11. Committing.  
Utilizes ones own personal value system towards insuring community well-being, human rights and the building of a just world.