This course will study the processes and methods for Citizenship Education with an emphasis on research related to Community Engagement and public participation. Students will develop skills in managing change within the community. Citizenship Education, as a discipline and profession, promotes democratic practices that build the capacity of citizens and decision-makers of local institutions to make informed decisions about community challenges, to recognize their diverse resources, and to align their efforts to community, government, and community personal resources into action. 

Course Objectives: 

The overall objectives of this course are to:

• Teach students the importance and role of active citizenship in promoting a productive, harmonious and developed society/ world
• Educate students about the importance of concepts, skills and philosophy of community linkages in developing a sustainable society
• Inculcate the importance of community involvement for ensuring an improved, tolerant and generative society/ world
• Provide an opportunity to the students to develop their relationship with the community 

Learning Outcomes: The primary outcome is inclusive development through active citizenship locally and globally. Moreover, the following are the detailed outcomes of the course based on the three domains of Bloom's Taxonomy i.e Affective, Psychomotor and Cognitive. The students will be able to: 

• Understand the overall organization of the society
• Recognize and exercise their rights, responsibilities and the significance of active citizenship in positive societal development
• Identify and critically evaluate social issues and implement practicable community based solutions
• Understand the concept of human rights and its significance
• Appreciate diverse viewpoints and inter-cultural harmony

Course Outline:

Introduction to Citizenship Education and Community Engagement

• Orientation (Course outline, learning outcomes etc.)
• Introduction to Active Citizenship: Overview of the Ideas, Concepts, Philosophy and Skills '
• Approaches and Methodology for Active Citizenship 

Identity, Culture, and Social Harmony

• Concept and Development of Identity
• Components of Culture and Social Harmony
• Cultural & Religious Diversity (Understanding and affirmation of similarities & differences)
• Social Structure and Social Hierarchy (stake holders, decision makers, implementers and others)

Multi-cultural society and inter-cultural dialogue

• Inter-cultural dialogue (bridging the differences, promoting harmony)
• Significance of diversity and its impact
• Importance and domains of Inter-cultural dialogue 
• Role of civil society in promoting Inter-cultural harmony 

Active Citizen: Locally Active, Globally Connected

• Importance of active citizenship at national and global level
• Understanding community
• Identification of resources (human, natural and others)
• Utilization of resources for development (community participation)
• Strategic planning, for development (community linkages and mobilization)

Human rights, constitutionalism and citizens' responsibilities

• Introduction to Human Rights
• Universalism vs relativism
• Human rights in constitution of Pakistan
• Public duties and responsibilities
• Constitutionalism and democratic process
• Current Human Rights issues in Pakistan

Social issues in Pakistan

• Introduction to the concept of social problem
• Causes and solutions: critical thinking and evaluation
• Social issues in Pakistan (poverty, equal and equitable access of resdurces, unemployment, agricultural problems, terrorism & militancy, governance issues, corruption, ethnic & sectarian issues, illiteracy, dowry, child labour, gender discrimination, substance abuse and others)

Social Action Project

• Introduction and planning of social action project
• Identification of problein (area mapping)
• Ethical considerations related to project
• Assessment of existing resources (material and non-material)
• Community-based project planning and action groups building
• Implementation (role division among action groups)
• Monitoring & evaluation (impact assessment / value enhancement)

Practicum (list and number of practical/activities/projects/field visits etc): one field social action project

Teaching Methods (propose more than one method according to the nature and scope of the course e.g.): 

• Lecturing
• Assignments
• Guest Speaker
• Field Visits
• Report Writing 

Assessment (Formative/Summative)

In order to pass the course and gain a certificate students should therefore:

Mid Term (40%)

• Individually complete a self-assessment exercise after the gaup work, showing the reflective and personal development aspects of the programme and their appreciation of the course learning;
• Participate in the design and planning of a social action project and provide evidence of this in the form of a group presentation, to a panel of peers, tutors and a community representative for feedback before implementing the project in the community.

Final Term (60%)

• Compile a group report on the project process to a standard format at the end of the project commenting on: project outcomes, individual contributions and group learning. 

Text and Reference Books:

Core Readings:

• Anne Karin Larsen, Participation in Community Work: International Perspectives (Vishanthie Sewpaul, Grete Oline Hole, 2013)
• Alan Twelvetrees, Community Work (London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2008) 
• British Council, Active Citizen's Social Action Projects Guide (Scotland: British Council, 2017) 
• Cathryn Berger Kaye, The Complete Guide to Service Learning: Proven, Practical Ways to Engage Students in Civic Responsibility, Academic Curriculum, & Social Action (Minneapolis: Free Spirit Publishing Inc., 2004)