We believe civic engagement should be an integral part of every student's college
experience. In the classroom is where students acquire the knowledge and skills to
best practice and serve in their communities. The Office of Civic Engagement offers
First Year Learning Communities for incoming freshman seeking to connect with fellow
students through service. In addition to our Minor in Civic and Community Engagement
and interdisciplinary courses, we partner with a variety of instructors and degree
programs to provide co-curricular academic engagement opportunities for students.
If you are interested, you can follow us on and
Minor in Civic and Community Engagement
This interdisciplinary minor offered through the Office of Civic Engagement is designed to build capacity in personal and organizational action, management and guidance in addressing public and societal problems. Through study and application, students build real world skills and knowledge for effective and ethical public service. The minor is designed to complement a variety of majors and is intended for students seeking to address systemic social problems.
Knowledge
- Understand societal and public problems and formulate creative, realistic solutions to these problems
- Identify stakeholders and strategies for engagement in addressing public problems
- Understand theoretical concepts related to community capital, power, voice, and structural inequalities and learn to apply these concepts in practical ways to solve problems
- Understand the importance of inquiry, informed action and effective policy in addressing social problems
- Understand the importance of service, community engagement and informed citizenship to address systemic community issues
- Tie their understanding of community engagement to their career and life plans
Skills
- Demonstrate an ability to engage in respectful, civil dialogue with diverse viewpoints
- Strengthen public leadership and advocacy skills
- Work effectively as members of diverse teams to address community issues
- Demonstrate an understanding of personal values, ethics and responsibility and their impact on personal , professional and civic decisions and actions
- Demonstrate effective research skills to develop feasible solutions to public problems
- Take action on their personal plan for lifelong community engagement and public leadership
Minor in Civic and Community Engagement - 18 hours
Once declaring the minor, students must submit a course plan for approval to the advisor in the Office of Civic Engagement in Eldridge Hall 122.
Required courses (9 hrs)
IDS 1101 - Global Challenges
Fulfills general studies requirements in Area II or IV
Explore knowledge and skills of globally competent citizenship and public service
to address global challenges faced in the 21st century with special emphasis on localized
application.
IDS 2201 - Applications in Civic Engagement
Fulfills general studies requirements in Area II or IV
An overview of strategies for civic enrichment that engage various forms of community
capital to address defined civic issues.
IDS 4495 - Capstone Experience in Public Service and Civic Engagement
An internship based at a community agency, health care facility, school or government
agency focused on application of student’s personal plan for community engagement
and public leadership. (Hour requirements vary depending on term or semester enrolled.)
Selected courses (9 hrs)
After completion of IDS 2201, students must select an additional 9 hours from advisor-approved electives in content areas of focus. At least 6 hours must be 3000 or 4000 level courses.
Students completing the Minor in Public Service and Civic Engagement will build competencies in the following areas:
- Identifying public issues and their causes
- Formulating creative, realistic solutions to various civic issues
- Public leadership and advocacy skills
- Project management and teamwork skills
Complete this form: Request for Official Evaluation/Major Change or visit the records office in Room 135, Adams Administration Building.
In addition, email the Office of Civic Engagement.
For more information contact:
Lauren Cochran | Office of Civic Engagement
122 Eldridge Hall | (334) 808-6349 | laurencochran@troy.edu
Pair the Civic and Community Engagement Minor with ÁùºÏ±¦µä's Peace Corps Prep Certificate.
While not required to be taken together, these course requirements align with one another to provide students with additional hands-on experiences and professional development support through four core competencies:
1. Sector-specific skills
2. Foreign language proficiency
3. Intercultural competence
4. Professional savvy and leadership
Learn more about the Peace Corps Prep Certificate under Academic Programs here.
Learning Communities
First Year Learning Communities (LCs) are small groups of students sharing academic interests who enroll together in common courses their first semester at TROY. Learning Communities are a great way to meet other students, while being connected to faculty and staff on campus. ÁùºÏ±¦µä offers six different learning communities to suit a wide variety of student interests and academic needs.Students who sign up to join a learning community take three general studies courses together centered on a particular topic of academic or career interest. LCs allow opportunities for students to network with others and build relationships with students who are pursuing similar career paths. These common classes include required courses in the general studies curriculum, with specialized content toward students' degree programs.
Through the courses, students engage in applied learning and service through co-curricular activities to enhance the integration of knowledge, skill development, and student success.
To be eligible, a student must be an incoming first-year student planning to be enrolled full-time on the ÁùºÏ±¦µä campus for the current academic year. Additionally, students must fit criteria specific to the learning communities they select.
There are seven LCs, each capped at 24 students, so space is limited.
BUSINESS
allows students to explore majors and careers in the world of business through academic engagement, networking and career preparation
COMMUNICATIONS
designed for students planning to enter career fields in journalism and communication
CREATIVE HABIT
designed exclusively for Dance and Theatre majors focused on the performance and production of both disciplines
HEALTH SCIENCES
prepares students for professional career options in health sciences around engaged learning
PUBLIC SERVICE
designed to build capacity and leadership skills to address community issues effectively
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
designed for students focused on making a difference in the lives of youth and children