Civics and Community Engagement

Objectives: This course is designed to provide students with fundamental knowledge about civics, citizenship, and community engagement. In this course, the students will learn about the essentials of civil society, government, civic responsibilities, inclusivity, and effective ways to participate in shaping the society which will help them apply theoretical knowledge to the real-world situations to make a positive impact on their communities.

Contents: 1. Civics and Citizenship: - Concepts of civics, citizenship, and civic engagement. - Foundations of modern society and citizenship. - Types of citizenship: active, participatory, digital, etc. 2. State, Government and Civil Society: - Structure and functions of government in Pakistan. - The relationship between democracy and civil society. - Right to vote and importance of political participation and representation. 3. Rights and Responsibilities: - Overview of fundamental rights and liberties of citizens under Constitution of Pakistan 1973. - Civic responsibilities and duties. - Ethical considerations in civic engagement (accountability, non-violence, peaceful dialogue, civility, etc.). 4. Community Engagement: - Concept, nature and characteristics of community. - Community development and social cohesion. - Approaches to effective community engagement. - Case studies of successful community driven initiatives. 5. Advocacy and Activism: - Public discourse and public opinion. - Role of advocacy in addressing social issues. - Social action movements. 6. Digital Citizenship and Technology: - The use of digital platforms for civic engagement. - Cyber ethics and responsible use of social media. - Digital divides and disparities (access, usage, socioeconomic, geographic, etc.) and their impacts on citizenship. 7. Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice: - Understanding diversity in society (ethnic, cultural, economic, political etc.). - Youth, women and minorities' engagement in social development. - Addressing social inequalities and injustices in Pakistan. - Promoting inclusive citizenship and equal rights for societal harmony and peaceful co-existence.