Sociocultural and Civic Engagement

Definition: Sociocultural and civic engagement expands viewpoints and provides awareness of and appreciation for diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Students collaborate and engage in reflective interactions with others and the public community, which mutually examines assumptions and expectations.

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  • In what ways has my work helped others? How has it contributed to my civic life?
  • In what ways have I discussed ideas and issues with others? What is the nature of these discussions? How have I shared my thoughts, opinions and information?
  • How do these discussions impact the ways I think about the topic or use my knowledge?
  • How have I shared critical perspectives or new strategies to others regarding the topic?
  • What knowledge did I gain about working with or for other people? How has working in teams broadened my knowledge?
  • How have my perspectives changed over time and what impacted those changes?
  • What challenges have I encountered working in groups with diverse people? How did I overcome those challenges?
  • What groups am I involved in and how has this involvement impacted my knowledge and understanding of the topic?

  • collaborations, partnerships, teamwork
  • service learning
  • volunteerism
  • social/political action activities, community advocacy, social advocacy
  • leadership roles
  • assessment of other’s work
  • events (non-profit, community)
  • teaching others, conducting trainings, leading workshops

  • demonstrates insight into one’s own identity and biases and the influence they have on understanding and interacting with others
  • expresses an internalized, personal worldview
  • demonstrates acceptance for and willingness to learn from diverse perspectives and backgrounds with different social/community groupings and audiences
  • works effectively with individuals and groups in multiple environments
  • engages in respectful discourse with individuals and in groups with varying viewpoints
  • volunteers or participates in the local and global community.

  • gains new perspectives on one’s identify and biases based on experiences and interactions with others and the community
  • analyzes critical factors impacting cohesion while working with individuals and groups to facilitate effective and respectful interactions
  • predicts and determines the impact of one’s own behaviors and actions and their implications in different social/community groupings and audiences
  • provides leadership to encourage acceptance for and willingness to learn from others with diverse perspectives and backgrounds
  • provides leadership and encourages others to engage in respectful discourse and collaboration with individuals and in groups with varying viewpoints
  • analyzes political/non-political, public/private, and local/global policies, practices and decisions to draw conclusions or take action.