Civic Engagement and Social Change

Illinois State’s core values are at the heart of the civic engagement and social change minor. Students in the minor collaborate with community partners to create a more just and equitable world.

The minor includes an internship class: IDS 398.02a:Community-Engaged Internship. For more information about how to apply for the internship, please refer to the internship application packet. The internship course is a culmination of the minor as the student engages in some aspect of service learning in the community.

The Minor in Civic Engagement and Social Change also offers a special concentration for teacher education majors. You should consider this concentration if you have an interest in urban education and you want to collaborate with urban communities for advocacy and social justice.

The concentration includes courses that have a strong focus on diversity, anti-racism, and community-engaged classrooms. Many of these courses offer hands-on activities and assignments in urban schools and communities. The courses let you dig deeper and explore systemic issues of race, class, and privilege as you observe, interact, and apply your entire curriculum into your teacher identity and practice.

Why Study Civic Engagement and Social Change?

The Civic Engagement and Social Change minor prepares you to enact social change and to develop an awareness of personal social responsibility that includes active engagement in your communities. This interdisciplinary minor is open to students of any ideological viewpoint and can be matched with any major to broaden your learning experience and career perspectives. The minor gives you opportunities to sharpen your analysis of social issues, practice public problem solving skills, reflect on civic engagement experiences with an appreciation for individual and community strengths, and enact a commitment to ethical civic action.

Application Information

Minors can only be declared by current Illinois State students. Current students can use the Apply to Your Program tool on My.IllinoisState.edu.

Application Period

Applications for the Civic Engagement and Social Change minor are always being accepted. Contact Wendi Whitman, minor advisor, for more information.

Academic Advising