In 2021, the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) clarified the American Institutions requirements for general education programs offered by Arizona public universities in policy 2-210.
At the University of Arizona, faculty, staff, and students have been working together to develop a premier Civic Learning / Civic Knowledge general education experience. Read more about the history, proposals, and timeline of implementation below!
A History of Civic Engagement
As early as 2018, the University of Arizona was in the process of independently developing a new general education program. Early proposals for the new program emphasized the important roles that the Diversity & Equity and World Cultures & Societies Attributes would play in the development of civic awareness and engagement.
When ABOR elaborated the requirements for American Institutions in 2021, the University of Arizona worked closely with Regents to develop various proposals (as suggested in the Crosswalk from early 2023) and a timeline for design and implementation.
Since policy 2-210 was adopted, the University of Arizona has taken several steps toward incorporating civic learning within the general education curriculum in a deliberate and inclusive manner. From 2021 to 2022, the Civic Learning Task Force, chaired by Dr. Suzi Dovi, produced civic learning / civic knowledge (CLCK) student learning outcomes. In February 2024, two faculty forums on Civic Learning were convened to gather input. Afterward, the CLCK Advisory Group, headed by Dr. Treya Allen, has been in the process of imagining different configurations of CLCK in general education.
Civic Learning Assessment
The process of collecting, assessing, and reporting on civic learning within the general education curriculum follows a distinct path from the design and implementation of new curricular elements.
In 2024, as part of a tri-university effort to assess general education curricula, the University of Arizona began collecting artifacts for the first round of civic learning assessment. Every four years, the three public universities will reassess civic learning.
If you have an civic learning assignment that you would like to share with the assessment team, please fill out this survey!