Active Citizenship minor
Engaged citizenship is increasingly important in a world that is global, complex and connected. Knowledge and understanding of the ways citizens can actively participate in their local and national communities is crucial to societal well-being; equally important is informed awareness of what it means to be globally connected where the impacts of social, political and environmental challenges reverberate internationally. The health and sustainability of future societies depends on citizens who are well-informed, resilient and flexible, with skills that are adaptable to changing circumstances and needs.
The aim of this inter-disciplinary Minor is to develop students' capacities to be caring, connected and socially engaged contributors to their communities through practical engagement with industry partners, and critical reflection on personal, community and government responsibility for positive change.
The Minor provides students with opportunities to explore active citizenship theoretically and practically. It is deeply embedded in the needs of the community, placing students in internships with industry partners, and in teams working collaboratively to tackle wicked problems such as entrenched homelessness. Through these real-world engagements, and classroom-based activities, students develop communication skills, critical and creative thinking, problem-solving and design skills, and digital literacy, while also enhancing their work-readiness as emerging professionals. By enabling students to apply their knowledge and skills in different contexts, this program of study will prepare them to be adaptable and socially-engaged citizens.
Outcomes
Students are able to (1) discuss the nature of complex issues in the community and different approaches to addressing them; (2) debate the responsibilities of individuals, communities and governments for societal and environmental well-being; (3) apply their knowledge and skills to real projects in professional settings and evaluate their capacity to make a difference; (4) critically reflect on the benefits to both the individual and community through community engagement; and (5) effectively communicate their ideas individually and collectively for a range of purposes.
Unit sequence
| Key to availability of units: |
|---|
| S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; SS = summer teaching period; NS = non-standard teaching period |
Students complete 4 units, one of which is a McCusker Centre for Citizenship unit. This can be taken at level 1, 2 or 3, but not at more than one level.
Take the following unit:
| Availability |
Unit code |
Unit name |
Unit requirements |
| S1 |
SVLG1006 |
Making a Difference: Civic Participation and Social Change |
- Prerequisites:
- Nil
- Co-requisites:
- Nil
- Incompatibility:
- Nil
|
Take the following unit:
| Availability |
Unit code |
Unit name |
Unit requirements |
| NS |
SVLG3008 |
Approaches to Wicked Problems |
- Prerequisites:
- Permission/approval is required to enrol.
Students must have completed at least 48 points and have Good Standing Status.
- Co-requisites:
- Nil.
- Incompatibility:
- Nil.
|
Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:
| Availability |
Unit code |
Unit name |
Unit requirements |
| S2 |
BUSN2102 |
Changing the World: Social Innovation, Finance and Enterprise |
- Prerequisites:
- Completion of 24 points
- Co-requisites:
- Nil
- Incompatibility:
- BUSN1102 Changing the World: Social Innovation, Finance and Enterprise
|
| S2 |
PHIL2009 |
Global and Environmental Justice |
- Prerequisites:
- Nil.
- Co-requisites:
- Nil
- Incompatibility:
- Nil
|
Group A—students must complete 6 points from one of Groups A, B or C:
| Availability |
Unit code |
Unit name |
Unit requirements |
| NS, S1, S2, SS |
SVLG1002 |
McCusker Centre for Citizenship Internship |
- Prerequisites:
- Permission/approval is required to enrol.
- Co-requisites:
- Nil.
- Incompatibility:
- SVLG2002
SVLG3003 McCusker Centre for Citizenship Internship (ID 7794)
|
Group B—students must complete 6 points from one of Groups A, B or C:
| Availability |
Unit code |
Unit name |
Unit requirements |
| NS, S1, S2, SS |
SVLG2002 |
McCusker Centre for Citizenship Internship |
- Prerequisites:
- Permission/approval is required to enrol.
- Co-requisites:
- Nil
- Incompatibility:
- SVLG1002
SVLG3003
|
Group C—students must complete 6 points from one of Groups A, B or C:
| Availability |
Unit code |
Unit name |
Unit requirements |
| NS, S1, S2, SS |
SVLG3003 |
McCusker Centre for Citizenship Internship |
- Prerequisites:
- Permission/approval is required to enrol.
- Co-requisites:
- Nil.
- Incompatibility:
- SVLG1002
SVLG2002
|