Adult Education Course at ACC's South Austin Campus

I will be teaching a course on citizenship at ACC's South Austin Campus during the summer of 2024. The impetus for the course was my concern about the growing polarization and tribalism of contemporary politics. The course is located on the Continuing Education schedule here. The course description is here. The information on the course section is here (tuition and fees). The syllabus is below:


 

Being a Citizen

GOVX 3000

Synonym 96442

Summer 2024

 

Instructor: Stefan D. Haag     

Phone: 512-925-2878

Office: South Austin Campus, Rm 1202

Office Hours: Wednesday 9:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Web Site: http://www.austincc.edu/shaag/Index.pdf

Email: shaag@austincc.edu

 

COURSE OBJECTIVE:

Are you frustrated with contemporary politics and have stopped paying attention? This course explores what it means to be a citizen and gives you a framework to help you understand and influence political decisions. By taking this course, you'll gain a unique advantage over others by understanding the nuances of politics and how to navigate them effectively.

The current level of polarization in American politics is not normal, but this course will give you the tools you need to bridge the gap between opposing viewpoints. You'll learn how to have civil discussions and reach an understanding of each other's perspectives, which is crucial for creating a better, more unified future.

If you're looking for a way to become more confident and engaged in politics, this course is an absolute must. It will transform you into a knowledgeable and influential citizen, who is capable of making a positive impact on the world around you.

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

The materials required for this course will be provided free to the students. They will consist of a few journal articles, magazine articles, Websites, articles by organizations promoting civic engagement, blogs, and videos. All materials will be accessed through the class Blackboard site. The cost of printing the materials is the student’s responsibility.

Students only need to bring a desire to learn, a willingness to participate, and the courage to express their views.


CLASS MEETINGS AND TOPICS:

Date

Topic

Specific Topics

July 10, 2024

What a Citizen Is & How
To Become One

What is a Citizen?

Political Polarization

State of Citizenship in the United States

The Civic Engagement Process

 

Date

Topic

Specific Topics

July 17, 2024

Head: Becoming Savvy Through Various Types of Media

Role of the Media

Types of Media

    Newspapers

    Magazines

    Journals

Fact-checking

 

July 24, 2024

Head: Internet, Social Media, and Voting Decisions

Websites

    Evaluation

Social Media

    Evaluation

Voting Decisions

    To Vote or Not to Vote

    For Whom or For What

 

July 31, 2024

Heart: Friendship in the City

“Patriotism”

Affiliation

Achieving Concord

 

August 7, 2024

Hands and Feet: Freedom Through Action

Community Service

Public Action

 

Due by July 10, 2024

Course Evaluation

Course Evaluation: Complete On-line Faculty Evaluation

Course Improvement: Suggestions for Course Improvements

ACADEMIC FREEDOM:

As described in Austin Community College Policy D-2, academic freedom protects professors and students in their search for truth and its free expression. However, professors and students also share a responsibility to respect the opinions of others and to ensure that course materials and discussions are relevant to the course objectives.

STUDENT ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES (SAS):

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical, cognitive, or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Student Accessibility Services on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to act three weeks before the start of the class.

 

CONCEALED HANDGUN POLICY:

The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code while maintaining ACC’s commitment to providing a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors. License holders are responsible for concealing their handguns at all times. Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 222 from a campus phone or 512-223-7999.

OTHER COLLEGE POLICIES:

Relevant college policies are posted on the Blackboard site for this class.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

  • describe what it means to be a citizen of the United States and Texas.
  • describe the level of political engagement in Texas and the United States
  • describe how civic engagement can be increased in Texas and the United States.
  • use and evaluate various forms of media to learn about political issues that interest the public.
  • use their knowledge to influence politics at all levels of government.
  • deliberate civilly and responsibly in groups of people holding different political views without becoming combative or hostile.
  • understand how concord results from love, empathy, honesty, and active listening to others' positions
    on controversial issues.
  • recognize how freedom results from engagement in the political process through collective action.

ABOUT ME:


 

I taught politics and government at Kaskaskia College in Illinois before joining ACC in 1979. My interest in politics grew out of a year in Burma after high school, serving in the Air Force after college, and taking graduate courses at SIU-Carbondale. My passions are competing in SCCA Solo events, reading about politics, writing my blog, listening to country music, and enjoying Austin’s many sights and sounds. 



 

 


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