Building a Partnered Learning Pathway: Lessons from CIVDEM@Mac

• In Event: Enhancing Student Civic Connections through Experiential and Active Learning

Abstract

Electoral democracies face growing threats that put our collective well-being at risk. Declining rates of voter participation, challenges (real and imagined) to the integrity of electoral processes, digital disinformation, interference with voters’ rights at the polls, gerrymandered electoral districts, and threats of violence from extremist groups are eroding public trust – even within the most established democracies. Low participation is particularly acute at the local level. Beyond our borders, electoral mismanagement and democratic backsliding persist, including in many countries where students have family connections.

Recognizing that this is a problem that cannot be solved within the confines of the Academy, an interdisciplinary team at McMaster University has developed a learning pathway for students to work towards strengthening elections, fostering civic participation and building democratic resiliency, both in Canada and around the world – CIVDEM@Mac. Working in partnership with non-profit and electoral organizations, CIVDEM@Mac is a minor that offers experiential learning and provides practical, hands-on assignments.

In this paper, members of the team reflect on the successes and challenges of building the program. We outline the steps taken to foster an innovative, interdisciplinary culture; how we incorporated partners across disciplines; and how we built communities within and outside of the university. Finally, we consider the program’s goals, and how we might evaluate success in a manner that incorporates academic, partner, and student learning objectives.

Authors

• Karen Bird, McMaster University

• Joanna Massie, McMaster University