Becoming Citizens: Engaging Youth in Politics

Do you want to help Seattle youth develop the tools they need to become empowered citizens? Are you interested in experimenting with the potential of the Internet to offer young people new options for political self-expression and engagement? Are you looking for an internship that will let you apply your skills in the community, and establish connections to people in education, non-profits, and city government?

In Winter quarter, the Center for Communication and Civic Engagement (CCCE) will be hosting its seminar/internship class to explore these issues. The class is “Becoming Citizens: Engaging Youth in Politics,” and provides opportunities for UW students to learn about and participate directly in youth civic education in the Seattle community.

For more information, email Chris Wells at cfw7@u.washington.edu . Or read on…

Becoming Citizens students will work at a variety of internships. Many will be helping to implement the CCCE’s newest civic project—Puget Soundoff, an online environment being designed to foster political participation among Seattle youth. Soundoff interns will do workshops with youth across Seattle to help them develop civic and political skills, media literacy, and skills for using the Puget SoundOff environment. There will be training and instruction on Puget SoundOff, so computer and Internet expertise is not required for the internship.

Other internship opportunities include placements directly in youth programs, such as the YMCA’s Mayor’s Youth Council, City Year’s City Heroes program, and in public school civics classrooms.

In addition to their internships, in a weekly seminar students in Becoming Citizens will meet to discuss their experiences, learn skills for working with youth, and learn more about youth civic engagement.

You can enroll in Becoming Citizens through the Pipeline program (for Education credits), or as a Political Science or Communication internship. There are several credit options (2-5) based on how much time you want to dedicate to the internship.

If you’re interested in enrolling, or if you have questions, contact Chris Wells, Becoming Citizens instructor, at cfw7@u.washington.edu