Description
Book SynopsisIn the most recent Democracy Index, the Economic Intelligence Unit downgraded the United States from a full democracy to a flawed democracy. Democracy, Civic Engagement, and Citizenship in Higher Education takes a hard look at the state of American democracy today through the lens of one of the nation's most important actors: colleges and universities. Democracy is more than voting: it includes a wide range of democratic practices and depends on a culture of civic participation. Critical for strengthening democracy is the role that higher education leaders play in educating their constituencies about their responsibilities of citizenship. During a period of time when higher education is under pressure to meet 21st century workforce needs, the authors here exhort to remember the public mission of education to serve the needs of the democracy, a government by the people means that the people must be ready to govern. It is in this spirit that these stories are offered to show how institut
Trade Review“Democracy, Civic Engagement, and Citizenship in Higher Education is a useful essay collection that comes at an opportune time. Our democracy is in urgent need of repair. Colleges and universities have a critical role to play in providing their students with the knowledge, skills, and attributes to be engaged citizens. Too often that responsibility is evident in mission statements, but not in how students are actually educated. This volume provides a wealth of wise counsel to help correct that failing.” -- Thomas Ehrlich, President Emeritus, Indiana University
“Democracy, Civic Engagement, and Citizenship in Higher Education is a must-read for any college president, faculty member or staff person committed to instilling civic engagement in the next generation of American leaders. The book asks and answers the question of how we can leverage the good will and talent of our country’s latest generation of young adults to impact the quality of life in our communities, reminding us that our colleges and universities must be active participants in pursuing the public good, instilling values in our students while demonstrating a commitment to making a difference beyond our campuses.” -- Elsa M. Núñez, President, Eastern Connecticut State University
“This invaluable resource, with its cast of diverse, experienced change-makers and educators, is crucial for paving the road for higher education to renew its commitment to our democracy and to educate our students to be the social capital and leaders of their communities. Democracy, Civic Engagement, and Citizenship in Higher Education is a manual for a path forward in civic education and inspires the reader to forge a pathway for our students, empowering them to take their rightful places in transforming our democracy into the one that we want instead of the democracy that we have. This work is critical, thoughtful, and important as well as timely." -- Verdis Robinson, Director of Community College Engagement, Campus Compact
Table of ContentsChapter 1: Our Own Learning Paths Led Us to Points of Lights and Kettering Chapter 2: Democracy’s Challenge for Academe: From Public Good to Consumer Good and Back Again? Chapter 3: Tackling Technology, Inequality, and Globalization: Considerations for Leaders in a Democratic Society Chapter 4: Perspectives from College Presidents—A View from a Collaborative Association Chapter 5: Renewing Civil Society: Madison’s Living Legacy Chapter 6: The Constituent Place of Service in Catholic Higher Education Chapter 7: The Civically Engaged College Chapter 8: Graduate Education and Civic Engagement: The Story of an Independent Graduate School Chapter 9: Democracy in Action: Lessons of an Urban University Chapter 10: When the Fight for Democracy and Justice is the Founding Purpose of your Institution Chapter 11: Pragmatic Perspectives from Within an Urban Community College Chapter 12: Community Colleges = Democracy’s Colleges Chapter 13: Civic Engagement and Student Learning at Allegheny College Chapter 14: Renewing the Promise of the Land Grant Universities Chapter 15: Nurturing Democracy Through Regional Stewardship: The Case of CSU Monterey Bay Chapter16: Moving from Civility to Respect and Decency: Preparing College Students for the Practice of Inclusive Citizenship in a Diverse Democracy Chapter 17: The Cultivation of Practical Wisdom: A Collaborative Perspective on Civic Learning in Higher Education Chapter 18: Sources of Professional Development for Community Engagement Directors in an Evolving Field Chapter 19: Strengthening Higher Education Public Service Partnerships through Engagement and Dialogue Chapter 20: From Crisis to Opportunity: Rethinking the Civic Role of Universities in the Face of Wicked Problems, Hyper-Partisanship, and Truth Decay Chapter 21: Breaking a Silence: Becoming Citizen Professionals in Higher Education
