Minor in Civic Life

Minor Overview:

What does it take for people to engage productively as informed, skilled, and effective members of democratic communities and the world? Whether we are scientists, doctors, engineers, advocates, public servants, or anything else, we are all members of pluralistic communities. In all of these communities, people of all kinds need capacities to engage productively with one another, develop the skills to negotiate difference, and cooperate to achieve common goals. The area of civic studies examines why such skills are foundational to making liberal democracy work in pluralistic societies, how such capacities can be nurtured, and the historical and contemporary struggles to realize these principles. It is an applied and interdisciplinary field, incorporating critical reflection, ethical thinking, empirical understanding, historical perspectives, and action for social change within and between societies.

The Minor in Civic Life introduces students to civic studies though its core seminars, electives, and experiential learning opportunities. Students participating in the minor will join a vibrant community of student peers, faculty, and fellows at the SNF Agora Institute. Regardless of their primary area of undergraduate study, the Minor in Civic Life empowers students to be engaged global citizens. As a minor, it is specifically intended to engage and equip students interested in pursuing any kind of career (including STEM careers) with skills of critical inquiry and applied research they need.

Courses taken at another institution that are not directly equivalent to a JHU course may not apply towards the minor without permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies. All courses must be taken for letter grades and receive a grade of C-minus or higher. A more detailed description of the requirements and a current set of course descriptions will be forthcoming.

For more information about the Minor in Civic Life at Johns Hopkins, please contact Kara Piccirilli, SNF Agora’s senior academic program coordinator, at [email protected].