The American Democracy Project at Illinois State University
 

Political Engagement Project

Illinois State University was selected as one of eight institutions to participate in a national American Democracy Project initiative, the Political Engagement Project (PEP). The Political Engagement Project, directed by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, addresses the serious problem of political disengagement in young people and advocates a dramatic increase in college and university efforts to strengthen student interest in politics.

PEP at Illinois State University

For this project, political engagement is broadly defined as community engagement with a systemic dimension of public policy, as well as electoral politics at local, state, and national levels.

The primary mission of the Political Engagement Project is to enhance Illinois State University students' awareness and understanding of political engagement and impact their level of political involvement and leadership.

Faculty and staff will work together to provide opportunities for students in the classroom, on campus, and in the community to develop skills related to political processes and leadership. Students will graduate from the University with greater understanding of their roles and responsibilities within the social and political environment.

 

Three-Year Goals

The focus of PEP at Illinois state is curricular. Established goals for the Political Engagement Project will be accomplished primarily through PEP courses which have student learning outcomes in place to guide faculty and student participation in formal learning activities.

  1. Create a curricular plan with student learning outcomes that will demonstrate increased student awareness of, and engagement in, political systems and processes (Years 1, 2 and 3).
  2. Strengthen partnerships leading to more coordination between curricular and co-curricular activities to enhance political activism by students, faculty and staff (Years 2 and 3).
  3. Foster political activism in undergraduate students that leads to an increase in political leadership and participation on and off campus (Years 1, 2 and 3).
  4. Develop students' understanding of political and social engagement as a life-long responsibility of all citizens (Years 1, 2 and 3).