Institute for Ethical and Civic Engagement


IECE Programs

» Course Development and Other Academic Programs
» Model Projects
» Education and Training
» Puksta Scholars Program
» Peace Corps Program
» Public Achievement Program
» Public Interest Internship Experience Program (PIIE)
» Buffalo Can Challenge (BUCC)
» The Annual Serving Communities Award Program
» Teach for America
» Service Abroad Program
» Student Worker Alliance Program

Course Development and Other Academic Projects:

The IECE promotes the development of new academic offerings that incorporate ethical inquiry and civic engagement wherever and whenever appropriate. Examples include development of new courses, modification of current courses to include a significant focus on civic engagement and/or ethical inquiry, leadership of group CU-community projects which also meet academic requirements, or workshops for faculty and student development.

Requests for Proposals (RFP) are issued to all faculty including tenured, tenure track, instructors and GPTIs. For the latest RFP click here and for the evaluation process click here.

2011 Courses and Recipients

Leeds School of Business, Donna Sockell, IT’S NOT JAM (Just About Me)
An initiative to design and lay the foundation for implementing a service and outreach graduation requirement at the Leeds School of Business, called It’s NOT JAM (Just About Me) -- distinguishing the University of Colorado at Boulder as the only public undergraduate business school of our size to have a service requirement for graduation.

INVST Community Studies, Elaina Verveer, INVS2919: Renewing Democracy in Communities & Schools
A year-long practicum course, INVS2919 advances the mission of both INVST and IECE, as it invites students to apply their learning to the public realm and develop a set of skills that will allow them to act and lead effectively in the world.  In addition to engaging in class discussions, course readings, and self-guided research on educational trends, youth empowerment, and education reform, participating undergraduates have the unique opportunity to apply civic engagement concepts and childhood and youth empowerment theory as Public Achievement coaches.
» Verveer - Syllabus

Department of Art and Art History, Richard Saxton, ARTS 4017: Community and Site-based Art Practice, The BASELINE GROUP: Yuma Workshops Phase 2,
Action on the Plains: A Collaborative Art Expo

Support of ARTS 4017: Community and Site-based Art Practice to complete the second large-scale project by the course participants in the Spring/Summer 2011. This project is titled Action on the Plains: A Collaborative Art Expo and will take place in Yuma, Colorado at the end of May 2011.
» Saxton - Syllabus and Final Report

Department of Communication, Matt Koschmann, COMM 3320: Persuasion in Society

A course modification of COMM 3320 course, Persuasion in Society, to make the course more focused on civic engagement and ethical inquiry, and incorporate new documentary films, re-design lecture notes, class activities, assignments and exams.

Program for Writing and Rhetoric, Matthew Cleveland, WRTG 3030, Writing on Science and Society
Enhance WRTG 3030, a Service-Learning course on sustainable agriculture. . This course is sub-titled “Service Learning for Agricultural Sustainability.” The fundamental purpose of this course is to foster in students critical reflexivity, social and political agency, and professional communication skills in an experiential learning context. Students will conduct fundraising, volunteering, and other relevant experiential activities. Then, synthesizing independent scholarly research and course texts, they will write about, film, and photograph their experiential-learning activities in formal and informal and digital and traditional contexts
» Cleveland - Syllabus

» 2005 Courses and Recipients
» 2006 Courses and Recipients
» 2007 Courses and Recipients
» 2008 Courses and Recipients
» 2010 Courses and Recipients

Model Projects:

The IECE will invite CU-Boulder schools, colleges and departments to collaborate in developing models to integrate ethical and civic engagement. The School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC) was the first model project and developed an exciting multi-pronged approach involving courses, research and symposia.

Please Click here for the SJMC Final Report.

Please click here for the first course syllabus, "Media, Self and Society", taught in Fall 2005.

Please click here for the second course syllabus, "Media and
Political Engagement," which will be taught in fall, 2006.

Please click here for the third course syllabus "Media, Self and Society."

Please click here for a new and revised syllabus for the course "Media, Self and Society."

Please click here for the fourth course syllabus, ‘Storytelling and Civic Engagement.”

The second model project in the School of Education has encompassed three phases. The first phase was the teaching of a School of Education year-long course (2007-2008), "Action Research for Youth and Community Development" which focused on Community Based Research. Click here for the syllabus and reference information for required readings. Click here for the Action Research for Youth and Community Development final report.

The second phase, 2009-2010, is an initiative to integrate civic engagement in the School of Education's Educational Psychology Program. Two courses are being taught during Maymester, 2009. Click here for the syllabus for the course Education 4112: Educational Psychology and Adolescent Development. Click here for the syllabus for the second course Education 4411: Educational Psychology. These courses are now taught on a semester basis. To view the Final Report click here.

The third phase, 2010-11, involved the implementation of the initiative “Developing teachers through service-learning in after school and community based learning environments project.” To view final report, click here.

The third model project is an initiative at the College of Architecture and Planning to enhance the scholarship of engagement among Environmental Design students involved in projects of the College's Children, Youth and Environments Center and to infuse the scholarship of engagement throughout the college's entire curriculum so all students are impacted from freshmen through seniors. To view the final report click here.

The fourth model project entails the development and implementation of the Public Service Pledge Program at the University of Colorado Law School. This initiative focuses on students and faculty and involves the participation of both in law-related public service work. Students are also required to take a one hour course component that addresses the role of public service in legal work as well as the kinds of opportunities the program offers. To view the Final Report click here.

The fifth model project, Writing Initiative for Service and Engagement (WISE Project), in the Program for Writing and Rhetoric (PWR), seeks to foster civic engagement as a fundamental mission of PWR, integrate service-learning throughout their curriculum and implement training projects for instructors to expand the scholarship of engagement in both lower and upper division courses. For more information, click here.To view the final report click here.

The sixth model project, Sewall Hall RAP’s “Dialogues on Immigrant Integration at CU,” will build upon the success of their “Dialogues on Immigrant Integration” and expand the program to 5-7 other RAPs to include dialogue days, increase in-class dialogues, develop and implement a model curriculum that can be applied to course content across disciplines and develop related civic engagement opportunities for students who have participated in dialogue activities. The second phase of the Sewall Hall RAP includes expansion of the “Dialogues on Immigrant Integration at CU Project” to additional RAPs, increased civic engagement opportunities for students, development of an Instructors Information Guide to help faculty integrate the content in their courses, implementation of a new course, “The Immigrant in American Society”, research and submittal of a journal article.To view the Final Report click here

Education and Training:

To fulfill its role as a catalyst for creative thinking and planning, the IECE hosts a variety of educational and training workshops, seminars and symposia for faculty, staff, students and community members. These sessions often involve local, national and international leaders in civic engagement and ethical inquiry.

For a schedule of events, go to our calendar of events. For more information contact the IECE, 303-492-1962.

Puksta Scholars Program:

The Puksta Scholars is an exemplary academic scholarship program for undergraduate students who have a deep commitment to civic engagement, who want to bring about positive change within our communities and society, who demonstrate strong academic goals and want to further their knowledge and skills.

Puksta Scholars are engaged in a rich, stimulating and important program of civic engagement. Each scholar is provided a substantial scholarship and must develop a year long intensive civic engagement project either individually or with a small group. Projects can be campus or community based. A team of campus faculty and staff serve as advisors to the scholars, who are also provided an enriching program of seminars, speakers, service projects, retreats and opportunities to collaborate and share insights.

The program is funded by the Puksta Foundation and the university and is one of CU-Boulder's "Special Enrichment Opportunities Programs. The Puksta Scholars has also been recognized as a CU-Boulder "Flagship Program" in the book, Guide to Service-Learning Colleges and Universities. For more information, go to:
http://www.colorado.edu/puksta

Peace Corps Program

The IECE is responsible for administering the highly regarded CU Boulder Peace Corps Recruitment Program and will strive to maintain and enhance our position as one of the leading schools in the country for Peace Corps recruitment. CU-Boulder ranks first in the nation for the number of graduates currently serving as Peace Corps volunteers. A CU-Boulder Masters International Program has been established which blends graduate study and service in the Peace Corps. For more information:
www.colorado.edu/iece/peacecorps/

Public Achievement Program

Funded by the AmerCorps program and the University, IECE Outreach Coordinators implement Public Achievement and other similar programs at Centaurus High School in Lafayette and Casey Middle School in Boulder. Public Achievement is an international service learning and civic engagement curriculum, engaging youth in creating positive social change in their communities. CU undergraduates enrolled in INVS 2919 serve as facilitators and mentors to secondary students as they develop a wide range of service projects around issues impacting their community. For more information, contact the outreach coordinator Audrey Brazeel at 303-492-6212 or at audrey.brazeel@colorado.edu

As part of their 2010 Public Achievement project a group of high school Juniors, who also participate in the "I Have a Dream" Foundation programming, created this mini-documentary telling the stories of Teen Violence in their community. With the production of this video, telling how it affects the wider community, how people get involved in gangs, how they get out, and what youth can do if faced with the decision to join, they hope to increase awareness of the issue, and decrease teen violence in our community.

The following are three teen depression - suicide awareness ads created by Public Achievement students at Centaurus High School. They will be placed on 15 local RTD buses

Public Interest Internship Experience Program (PIIE)

The IECE is responsible for the PIIE Program in collaboration with Career Services and the PIIE Advisory Board. The program, modeled after Princeton University 's Project 55 Program, provides a limited number of fellowship grants each year to undergraduate students at CU-Boulder for full time summer internships with government and 501 (c) (3) non-profit organizations. For more information click here.

Buffalo Can Challenge (BUCC)

An annual food drive to fight hunger in Boulder County using a fun and creative approach consisting of building structures and sculptures using cans of food. All food is donated to Boulder County food banks. For a summary of the 2009 BUCC, click here.

For more information click here. For 2010 BuCC pictures, click here. For a 2010 BUCC summary click here.

For 2009 BuCC pictures, click here.

To view a video of the 2009 BuCC click here.

The Annual Serving Communities Award Program

The Institute for Ethical and Civic Engagement has created the “Serving Communities Award” to recognize the critical importance of civically engaged faculty, staff and students. These individuals serve as role models and are essential to CU-Boulder's vision of a campus that fosters civic engagement and campus-community partnerships. The award honors one faculty member, one staff member, one undergraduate student and one graduate student who embody the values and actions of an engaged citizen, whose work contributes to the vitality of the communities we serve and who contributes to CU-Boulder's civic mission.

For 2011 nomination guidelines and information, click here.

Teach for America

Teach For America is a national corps of outstanding recent college graduates and professionals of all academic majors and career interests who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools and become leaders in the effort to expand educational opportunity. In the short run, our corps members work relentlessly to ensure that more students growing up today in our country's lowest-income communities are given the educational opportunities they deserve. In the long run, our alumni are a powerful force of leaders working from inside education and from every other sector to effect the fundamental changes needed to ensure that all children have an equal chance in life. Apply online at www.teachforamerica.org. All academic backgrounds and majors, full salary & benefits, relocation funding available. For more information, please contact Megan Morton at megan.morton@teachforamerica.org, or Kelly Shepherd at kelly.shepherd@teachforamerica.org.

Service Learning Abroad Program

The IECE and the Office of International Education/Study Abroad Program have developed a new Service-Learning Abroad Program which integrates Study Abroad and service to local communities (Service Learning). This is an exciting addition to Study Abroad Programs which addresses the ever increasing desire of CU students to combine study abroad and community engagement.

Service-learning incorporates community work into the curriculum, giving students real-world learning experiences that enhance their academic learning while providing a tangible benefit for the community. Service learning is a type of civic engagement which offers students coursework
that engages students in activities that address human needs. It weaves course content and service together so that each complements the other, involves reciprocity with the community (both the community and student/university are equal partners) and each gains from the
other and reflection – having significant opportunities to reflect on one’s service and experiences and engage theory and knowledge reflexively with experience.

For a description of program options go to http://studyabroad.colorado.edu/?go=MajorGuides and click on Service Learning Guide. For more information, contact the Study Abroad Office, 303-492-7741, studyabr@colorado.edu.

Student Worker Alliance Program

SWAP is a grassroots, student run, and dynamic organization of broad members of the CU community committed to cross-cultural engagement, mutual empowerment, skills acquisition, and solidarity in addressing inequality.  Our mission is to bring together systematically divided campus sectors to share a common learning and cultural experience.  

The objectives of SWAP are accomplished by providing free and convenient English language classes to predominantly immigrant University employees who hold underappreciated yet indispensible positions on campus and in the community. 

SWAP provides free interactive and culturally informative trainings to university student volunteers, preparing them to teach one-on-one or small group English classes. SWAP operates through the support of an always evolving organizing committee, part-time student staff positions and an expansive volunteer network.  For more information, click here

Come find us in the UMC 137a or send us an email at: swapv@colorado.edu