Begin Civic Action Plan

For this Module, you will begin working on your Civic Action Plan. 

You can review the outline of this assignment here.

You will do this in three simple, but important steps:

1. Pick an issue

2. Begin researching that issue

3. Write your Issue Introduction

• Step 1. Picking an issue. This is important. Pick something that interests you. Talk to your classmates. Maybe some of you would like to work together on the same issue?

• I encourage you to “Think globally, act locally” on this one, but the local part is more important. I want you to choose an issue that you could actually do something to address. This is more easily achieved at the local level. Example: violence against women is a worldwide problem. But it’s likely a problem in your community too. Maybe there aren’t enough resources and shelters for battered and abused women in your hometown or county? If that’s the case, you could certainly conceive an action plan to address this issue. Make sense?

• Most importantly, the issue should interest and inspire you. If that is the case, you will be more likely to read more widely and understand the issue better. As a result, you will likely draft a better action plan. This is true of most things in life: pursue your interests! In the end, you’ll be better for it.

• Step 2: Begin researching your issue! This will require reading. So start reading. In fact, create a reading list of no fewer than 5 sources, which you should list before writing your issue introduction. Oh, and I want you to actually read those sources!

• Step 3: Write your issue introduction! This is a one-page statement that identifies the issue, explains its importance, provides historical context for it, identifies competing views, and states your stance.

• Yes, that is a lot to fit in one page, so you need to be concise. You also need to write it in your own words. Do not cite the 5+ sources that you read, although you should certainly call upon them as you write.

• Again, your one-page issue introduction should

• identify the issue,

• explain its importance,

• provide historical context for the issue,

• identify competing views, and

• state your stance.