Civic Engagement (Minor)

The Civic Engagement minor builds upon aspects of service learning and community based research, is anchored by an academic foundation, is reinforced through an internship, and exists within a culture that is critical in examination and reciprocally reinforcing as a learning community at local, national, and international levels. The Civic Engagement minor includes the following components and totals 19 hours (without internship credit) and up to 31 hours (with internship credit):

Civic Engagement Minor Requirements:

19-31 Hours

1) Lead Course

3 Hours

SOWK 350 Special Topics in Social Work (1-3)

2) Domestic Poverty

Select one course: 3 Hours

Co-Curricular

Five (5) hours of continuing education focused on domestic poverty. Membership in organizations focused on domestic or international issues of social and economic oppression.

3) International Exposure

Select one course: 3 Hours

Co-Curricular

Five (5) hours of continuing education focused on social and economic oppression at local, national, or international venues. Membership in organizations focusing on domestic and international issues of social and economic oppression is required.

4) Service Learning

7 Hours

SOWK 230 Group Dynamics and Interviewing Skills (3)
and
SOWK 305 Social Work Research Methods (4)
OR
SOC 399 Introduction to Sociological Research (4)
and
A service learning module added to a class in the student's major (assistance provided by the Bonner Scholars Director as requested by the faculty member).

5) Full Time Service Internship

(May be completed as non-credit hours or may receive up to 12 credit hours)

This internship is to be completed in one semester. Written learning goals and objectives will be developed and implemented with the faculty member and the student. This community service experience will be an extension of the student's research project.

6) Senior Capstone

3 Hours

SOWK 404 Advanced Community-Based Research (1-3)
This class will serve as the student's capstone course. It may be taken concurrently with the full-time service internship. Students will review their academic and experiential learning and generate a project to reflect that integrated knowledge.