Delana Gregg and I teach a course each fall called Civic Imagination and Social Entrepreneurship (cross-listed as POLI 209, AMST 280, SOCY 298, and EDUC 209), in which students explore and develop strategies for initiating and bringing about social change. Here are some results from the survey we ask students to take prior to the first day of class and again at the end of the semester (from fall 2009):
"I am familiar with models of citizenship in which people take the initiative and collaborate rather than relying on professionals (politicians and civil servants) to solve civic problems."
54.2 = % of students agreed with the above statement prior to taking the course (16.7% strongly agreed).
95.0 = % of students agreed with the above statement after completing the course (60.0% strongly agreed).
"I can identify which of my values and priorities may have been influenced by others and which are truly my own."
58.3 = % of students agreed with the above statement prior to taking the course (37.5% strongly agreed).
95.0 = % of students agreed with the above statement after completing the course (65.0% strongly agreed).
"I understand how to make strategic use of rhetoric and symbols to build support for a social change effort."
45.8 = % of students agreed with the above statement prior to taking the course (12.5% strongly agreed).
90.0 = % of students agreed with the above statement after completing the course (55.0% strongly agreed).
"I have considered potential new ways in which UMBC students could help shape conditions and make civic contributions on our campus."
62.5 = % of students agreed with the above statement prior to taking the course (20.8% strongly agreed).
90.0 = % of students agreed with the above statement after completing the course (60.0% strongly agreed).
"I feel confident that I can translate my hopes and dreams for social change into concrete plans and proposals"
70.9 = % of students agreed with the above statement prior to taking the course (29.2% strongly agreed).
90.0 = % of students agreed with the above statement after completing the course (60.0% strongly agreed).
