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Civics course by SOU Ashland's Prakash Chenjeri

SOU civics course included on select national list

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(Ashland, Ore.) — A Southern Oregon University Course – “Civicus: Advancing Civic Education” – has been recognized as a national resource and included on a select list of such classes by the Hoover Institution’s Alliance for Civics in the Academy at Stanford University.

The Civicus course at SOU – created and taught by Philosophy professor Prakash Chenjeri – explores how citizenship evolved and how it is practiced as a commitment to the common good. Students study democracy’s philosophical roots and development, along with contemporary challenges.

Current students in the class are enthusiastic about its takeaways.

“Civicus, like no other class, has made me realize the lack of engagement I’ve put into my community and has motivated me to try to change that within myself and my peers,” student Drew Wright said.
“This class has given students like me the opportunity to learn how to understand our democracy, be a part of political discussions, and argue with reason,” said Kloie Watkins-Simpkins. “The impact that I feel I can have on our society and nation has grown immensely since taking this class, I will forever push to have it be a part of our education system.”

The term “civicus” derives from the Latin word “civis,” whose present-day meaning is “citizen.” The Latin term signified both membership in a political community and the duties, privileges and shared outcomes associated with that community.

“Reclaiming this root for our own time reminds us that citizenship is not a passive condition but an active practice of engagement, deliberation and care for the common good,” says a syllabus of the SOU course on the Alliance for Civics in the Academy (ACA) website.

“In the 21st century, the idea of Cīvicus takes on renewed urgency,” it says. “Democracies today face strains from polarization, erosion of trust and disruptive technologies that challenge our ability to discern truth and act collectively. Against this backdrop, Cīvicus calls us back to the essence of citizenship: to be stewards of democratic life through informed participation, critical reasoning and meaningful dialogue.”

SOU’s Civicus is one of 39 courses at universities and other institutions nationwide ­– and the only one in Oregon – that are listed on the Alliance for Civics in the Academy website. The SOU course is supported in part by gifts to the Cīvicus Project Fund of the SOU Foundation. Donations help pay for guest lecturers, instructional materials and opportunities for students to study, observe and engage in civic processes and civil discourse.

The ACA is a part of the Hoover Institution, a public policy think tank located at Stanford University and Washington, D.C., and led by former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice. The Hoover Institution furthers ideas that promote economic opportunity while safeguarding peace.

“Civicus made me realize that civic education is essential now—not just at the university level, but across all stages of education,” SOU student Vanessa Salazar said. “By critically examining my beliefs and learning to engage respectfully with diverse viewpoints, this course strengthened my skills as a thoughtful, informed, and responsible citizen in ways I didn’t know I was capable of.”

-SOU-