Public Sphere Work

The First-Year Experience Program collaborates with others in the development of civic engagement education.  We work to contribute to students’ development and address the needs of our campus and community by taking John Dewey’s vision of public education to heart.

I appeal to teachers . . . to remember that they above all others are the consecrated servants of the democratic ideas in which alone this country is truly a distinctive nation—ideas of friendly and helpful intercourse between all and the equipment of every individual to serve the community by his own best powers in his own best way.

-John Dewey

The CSU, Chico Town Hall Meeting

Embedded in the required Political Science course on American Government, the Town Hall provides students with public arenas for discussing policy issues, improves students' confidence as scholars and boosts retention. More...

The Chico Great Debate

Embedded in required first-year Communication Studies classes, the Chico Great Debate gives students a focal point for their research on a contentious public issue, teaches them methods of civil public discourse, and creates strong voter identities.  More...

The Civic Dialogue Museum

Embedded in the campus's Freshman Seminar (Univ 101), this event is a temporary museum focused on students' civic inquiry projects connected to the Book in Common.  Facilitated dialogue tables encourage students to reflect on the Museum's contents, their own civic experiences, and the need for Civic commitments in adult life.  

The Economic Challenges Series

Embedded in an entry-level Economics class, the Series is a two-night event featuring student presentations on current budget problems, followed by table discussions among small groups about possible solutions. Students emerge with a critical capacity for judging often simplistic public rhetoric about complex problems.  More...

Rough Cut Film Festival

Embedded in a section of the required entry-level Academic Writing course, students create and screen short documentaries based on their research.  More...