Stanford has been educating students for engaged citizenship since 1885. Today, civic participation and constructive dialogue are woven into the campus fabric. 0 + Courses offered each year that deepen understanding of democratic life Courses offered each year that deepen understanding of democratic life 0 + Student groups promoting civic engagement, shaping public policy, and preparing future political leaders Student groups promoting civic engagement, shaping public policy, and preparing future political leaders 0 + Internships available in government and civil society, giving students hands-on experience in public policy and community organizing Internships available in government and civil society, giving students hands-on experience in public policy and community organizing “Its purposes, to promote the public welfare by … teaching the blessings of liberty regulated by law, and inculcating love and reverence for the great principles of government as derived from the inalienable rights of man to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Stanford Founding Grant 100 years ago, Stanford’s first general education requirement was a course on citizenship In 1923, Stanford introduced its first required class to its incoming frosh: Problems of Citizenship. The course was part of a series of changes that have shaped what undergraduate education at Stanford looks like today. New initiative launched to renew Stanford’s civic purpose ePluribus Stanford is a new, university-wide initiative to bolster civic engagement and constructive dialogue across the student experience. In Stanford’s first-year Civic, Liberal, and Global Education requirement, known as “COLLEGE,” undergraduates reflect on their place and purpose at Stanford, in society, and in the world. Through small, discussion-based seminars, students are encouraged to openly share their ideas, which helps them develop their civil discourse skills, such as active listening and respect for viewpoint diversity. “We want students to be excited when they meet somebody who disagrees with them because it’s an opportunity to learn.” —Dan Edelstein, the Nehal and Jenny Fan Raj COLLEGE Director Exploring concepts of citizenship Frosh tackled some big questions about the ideals of citizenship and democracy for their second course in COLLEGE, Stanford’s newly restructured undergraduate requirement program. Course helps students put pluralism into practice In Citizenship in the 21st Century , Stanford undergraduates broadened their perspective by engaging across political differences. Justice Breyer urges students to stay engaged in democracy In talks from a packed campus forum to a discussion in a student residence hall, retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer emphasized the importance of civic involvement and listening across differences. ‘Civic Salons’ engage students on complex issues A series of informal conversations in residence halls during winter quarter offered undergraduates an opportunity to discuss some of society’s most pressing challenges. Why a healthy democracy needs a dose of constructive disagreement In a spring quarter course taught by Deans Debra Satz and Paul Brest, scholars with opposing viewpoints modeled meaningful conversations about some of the most polarizing issues facing college campuses and society.

Stanford students learn to lead with civic courage Led by political scientist Josiah Ober, the Stanford Civics Initiative aims to inspire democratic citizenship through courses and programs focused on civics education. “We do not shy away from complex topics and hard conversations, but we honor the humanity of those whose experiences and perspectives have led them to different conclusions.” What to know about Democracy Day Stanford’s fourth annual Democracy Day – the first during a presidential general election year – drew thousands for watch parties, career mixers, panel discussions, and more. We hit the Farm to find out what democracy means to the Stanford community. What’s your definition? Student-athletes come together to vote, not play Stanford student-athletes rallied to show support for the NCAA’s “All Vote No Play” effort, created in part by associate men’s basketball coach Eric Reveno. New award recognizes efforts to elevate constructive dialogue at Stanford Pizza, Politics, and Polarization Ahead of the U.S. presidential election, informal, ask-me-anything style conversations with political scientists in residence halls encouraged students to unpack complex topics one slice at a time. Informal settings foster students’ connections to the issues and one another. Intercollegiate Civil Disagreement Partnership Stanford is a member of the Intercollegiate Civil Disagreement Partnership through the McCoy Family Center for Ethics in Society. Students in the consortium work with peers at schools in California, Florida, Massachusetts, Texas, and Tennessee to facilitate conversations on challenging and sometimes hot-button topics. Difficult yet productive discussions show students the value of being curious and what can happen when we genuinely understand why people believe what they do. Summer Frosh Civil Dialogues Program The McCoy Center leads summer programming for incoming students to set them up for success in college, where they will live and study with classmates from different backgrounds and diverse viewpoints. Stanford students and recent alums act as facilitators, drawing on their own experiences communicating across differences. Builders Forums Produced in partnership with the Stanford alum-founded Builders Movement, this quarterly speaker series features distinguished guests reflecting on finding value in our differences and thriving in pluralistic communities. Past speakers include Justice Stephen Breyer, former First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf, and former Taoiseach of Ireland Leo Varadkar. Could deliberative democracy depolarize America? Stanford scholars think so Deliberative democracy – informed and moderated discussion that transcends partisan identities – can lead to a depolarized and more democratic society, according to Stanford research. Ways to strengthen democracy, as determined by Stanford-led ‘mega study’ A Stanford-led project has identified a set of strategies to counter anti-democratic attitudes and reduce partisan animosity. Josiah Ober’s mission to revitalize democracy and civic education Josiah Ober’s mission to revitalize democracy and civic education The future of democracy rests on the civic bargain, Stanford scholar argues The future of democracy rests on the civic bargain, Stanford scholar argues