A Framework for Civic Learning Across the Disciplines
There’s a temptation to limit our conceptualization of civic learning to the knowledge gained in an American Government or U.S. History class, but the CLDE Coalition’s “Every Student, Every Degree” report broadens and enriches our concept of civic learning, highlighting that a meaningful civic education is integrated throughout the curriculum and within students’ majors. The framework overview on Page 9 is a useful starting point for instructors considering a course or an assignment redesign for civic learning—it lays out specific knowledge and skills-based civic learning outcomes, many of which have useful overlaps with our disciplinary learning outcomes.
The CLDE Framework is built around one over-arching goal and four key components of college civic learning and democracy engagement. The over-arching goal is each student’s individual development of purposeful civic engagement. From the beginning of college and as they progress, students regularly explore democratic principles as well as their own experiences with democracy. They examine issues they care about and practice productive dialogue with those who disagree. Ultimately, they arrive at their own choices about the role they want to play in a democratic society and about what the future of democracy can be.
To support students’ development of purposeful civic engagement, the CLDE Framework includes four intersecting components:
- Democratic knowledge and levers for change;
- Bridge-building and problem-solving skills;
- Practical experience and projects, including collaborative work in real-world settings; and
- Career-related civic and ethical learning.
Figure 3 suggests the kinds of knowledge, skills, and practical experience students should gain across all four of these interconnected areas of civic and democracy learning.