How the program works
Democracy in Action (CS316) allows third year students to do their final year project in an innovative and interdisciplinary way.
The module gives students the opportunity to better understand the local community, the issues it faces and how to address them. Students learn to build power and negotiate with local government on issues of local concern such as hate crime, transport, mental health, and housing.
At university students often get the chance to explore key concepts and theories associated with democracy, human rights, social justice, power, organizations, negotiations, human relations, accountability, corporate social responsibility. However, there are relatively few opportunities available to students to ‘test’ these ideas in practice. By placing the community organizing at the centre of the student experience, this module aims to bring theory closer to practice.
Through the five-step training of Citizens UK (1. Organise 2. Listen 3. Plan 4. Act 5. Negotiate) the students learn the basics of community building and organising, then get to put this into practice.
The module brings together theory and practice, serving as a way for students approaching the end of their studies to ‘apply’ their knowledge and skills outside the classroom. Students learn how to identify relevant stakeholders and decision-makers and negotiate with local government and organizations on issues of local concern such as hate crime, transport, street lighting, living wage, mental health and housing, and more besides, discovered through ‘listening’ exercises.
Students work with their peers, members of local organizations, academic staff at the University, and professional staff from Citizens UK to build alliances, create common cause on important issues, and help devise strategies to tackle them. Through training and practical experience, students will build their confidence, and develop skills associated with project management, team-work, communication and creativity, which will help open up future career and citizenship pathways.
The module speaks directly to the University’s commitment to transformational education, community engagement, employability, and citizenship, attracting students from across a wide range of disciplines and departments. Democracy in Action strengthens the connection between the University of Essex, Citizens UK Colchester and other local organisations by having the students focus on building better communities through the co-production of knowledge and best practice.