News media and popular culture surround us with stories of violence, poverty, and urban decay. Political leaders exchange ideas about education, the economy, health care, and welfare reform. But what are all of these issues really about? What is life like for someone who is homeless or on welfare? Where have these problems come from? Most importantly, what can we do about them, as individual citizens and as a society?
Civic Leadership Institute students, through an introductory course in Civic Engagement & Contemporary Social Issues, explore the complex challenges that affect our communities today, and are introduced to tools and strategies for community development and positive social change. Civic Leadership Institute participants:
• explore the root causes of and potential solutions to specific social problems
• understand the individual and institutional stakeholders that make up a community
• discover how to identify and mobilize community assets
• gain exposure to a wide range of community development and leadership theories
• analyze case studies on effective social change throughout history
• examine what it means to be a citizen and a leader in today’s complex world
• build concrete interpersonal and leadership skills, including communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving
• identify ways to become more active in their own schools and communities after the program concludes. Course
CTY Civic Leadership Institute students are placed into course sections of approximately 15 talented high school students from around the country. Together with an outstanding instructor, these students engage in both academic work and supervised field experiences. In the classroom, students are active participants. They read and write about current events and theories of community development from both conceptual and practical perspectives. Our instructors engage students in complex discussions and debates about what they are reading and what they are experiencing in the field; they also facilitate interactive activities designed to explore leadership, teamwork, and group problem-solving. Through independent and small group projects, students have the opportunity to study social issues that impact their own communities. The curriculum is taught well above grade level, covering a great deal of material and challenging students to learn actively and put knowledge to use in independent and creative ways. Rather than assign grades, our instructors write detailed evaluations describing each student’s progress and achievements in the course and outlining areas for further growth. Field Experience
Several times each week, students travel to dynamic urban neighborhoods to engage in service-learning projects with respected local community organizations, and to visit with key community leaders and important institutions. To ensure the safety of our participants, our staff and our community partners collaborate to provide appropriate orientation, preparation, and supervision for all field experiences. (For more information on safety precautions, see “Information for Parents.”) The service projects are varied, but always allow meaningful opportunities for students to contribute to local organizations while interacting with clients, residents, and staff. For example, Institute participants may prepare and serve meals at a soup kitchen, read to children at a day care center, repair dilapidated low-income senior housing, or lead violence prevention workshops for youth. Through their interactions, students gain perspective into the complex factors operating in urban neighborhoods, the issues that influence people’s lives, and the individuals and organizations that are making a difference. Students are also exposed to the tremendous assets of a metropolitan area through meetings with community stakeholders. Students typically meet with political and business leaders, visit key institutions such as civic organizations, schools, and newspapers, and tour significant cultural and historical sites. Special Topic Seminars
In addition to the core curriculum, students have the opportunity to engage in focused explorations of social issues of their choosing, through the Special Topic Seminar series. Once a week, instructors and TAs conduct a wide range of seminars on issues such as world poverty, public health, youth violence, criminal justice, and school reform. Students select topics that interest them most and participate in facilitated activities, speakers, discussions, and field experiences around each issue. Evening Colloquia
Another exciting element of the academic program are the Evening Colloquia. Each weekday evening, classes reconvene, sometimes as an entire campus, for two hours of academic enrichment activities. The Institute brings in outstanding guest speakers from a variety of fields, including political theorists, business leaders, local activists, and other people who are making an impact on their communities. Guest speakers give presentations, facilitate discussions, and engage students in activities designed to educate, challenge, and inspire. Additionally, instructors and TAs use evening class sessions for students to reflect on their service experiences, get extra help on assignments, or work on group projects. A Note About Credit
Students may be eligible for high school credit and between 25 and 100 hours of service-learning credit (depending on school guidelines) for participation in the CTY Civic Leadership Institute. Students interested in pursuing credit are encouraged to talk to school officials before the program begins. A sample syllabus is available on-line, or contact us to request a copy to present to school officials. Additionally, let them know that you will be able to document your completion of this course with a detailed evaluation from your instructor, certification of service hours, and a letter grade if your school requires it. For more information on advocating for credit, visit www.cty.jhu.edu/summer/docs/parentguide.pdf. Sample Syllabus
View a sample syllabus. Actual lessons, readings, and activities for 2008 may differ. This syllabus can be downloaded using Adobe Acrobat. | 
