Civic Engagement Minor
About the Minor
The Civic Engagement Minor is designed to provide students with a core analytical and theoretical framework for community building, governance, and the use of civic resources. It examines the connections between individual success and societal structures, while exploring traditions of service in our democracy. The minor can be paired with any major as an applied and active way of putting disciplinary tools to use. It is intended for highly motivated students of any ideological perspective who are committed to research on public policy issues at the local, state or national level.
All students complete a core curriculum and elective courses tailored to a specific internship. Students engage in an intensive internship at the local, state or national level.
To enroll in the minor, students must (1) have an overall grade-point average of 2.7 or better, (2) submit an application, and (3) submit a one-page written statement of interest. Applications are available here and must be filed with the Center for Community Learning, A265 Murphy Hall.
Required Lower Division Course (4 or 5 units):
One course, with a grade of C or better. Students who enroll in a lower division course without a service learning component are required to select a service learning course as their upper division elective. Transfer students should consult with a coordinator in the Center for Community Learning.
Required Upper Division Core and Upper Division Elective Courses (9 or 10 units):
Students selecting the local internship option may complete the elective either prior to or corequisite with the first term of the internship. The state and national internship programs require students to complete the upper division elective prior to the start of the internship. The upper division core course (Civic Engagement M115C) is offered every fall quarter.
Required Upper Division Internship and Seminar Courses (12 units): Students must complete a total of 12 academic units as part of the internship and seminar experience, for all three internship options.
Students must select from either local, state, or national internship locations as follows:
- Local Los Angeles (12 units)
Local Los Angeles internships span three consecutive terms at the same internship location and may begin in any quarter. Placements are selected in consultation with the Center for Community Learning Minor Coordinator. Students enroll in a graded 4-unit Civic Engagement 195 internship course for each of the three quarters.
- State (12 units)
State internships span one term and are completed through participation in the University of California Center Sacramento Program (UCCS) during any quarter. Students enroll in Civic Engagement 194SA (4-unit research seminar), and 195SA (8-unit internship course). Applications are available at www.college.ucla.edu/up/ccl/ or in A265 Murphy Hall, (310) 825-7867.
- National (12 units)
National internships span one term (excluding summer) and are completed through acceptance and participation in the Center for American Politics and Public Policy (CAPPP) Program in Washington, DC. In the fall or spring quarter program, students enroll in History/Political Science/Sociology M191DC and M195DC. In the winter quarter program, students enroll in History/Political Science/Sociology M194DC and M195DC plus one 4-unit elective courses. Applications are available at www.cappp.ucla.edu.
The integration of internship and coursework culminates in a capstone research project with a faculty sponsor. CE 194 is a two-unit capstone research seminar offered every winter quarter. Students must take one quarter of CE 194 prior to the capstone experience. Students will develop a proposal for the capstone project in consultation with a faculty sponsor. UCCS and CAPPP students can enroll in CE 194 after completing the internship and research seminar. Students participating in local internships can enroll in CE 194 during the second or third quarter of the internship. The capstone course requires an integrative final paper. Each student will complete the capstone project under the guidance of a faculty sponsor and enroll in either a CE 198 (Honors Research) or a CE 199 (Directed Research or Senior Project) in the final quarter of the minor.
No more than one upper division course may be applied toward both this minor and a major, or a minor in another department or program. All minor courses must be taken for a letter grade, with an overall grade-point average of 3.0 or better. Successful completion of the minor is indicated on the transcript and diploma.
Contact
Students must first meet with the Academic Advisor, then complete the application package with the Civic Engagement Coordinator.
| Kyle McJunkin Academic Advisor Phone: (310) 825-3223 Email: kmcjunkin@college.ucla.edu |
Doug Barrera Civic Engagement Coordinator Phone: (310) 825-7867 Email: dbarrera@college.ucla.edu |
Civic Engagement Minor Application
