PLSCI 3940

Skills for Public Engagement

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2017-2018.

Community engagement can provide exciting and unique learning opportunities, but the skills necessary for a positive experience are different from those of a traditional classroom. This course will provide an understanding of public engagement, along with practical hands-on instruction of skills and strategies for constructive and inclusive engagement. Topics will include public speaking and writing skills along with training in video production and social media. The course will also cover strategies for engaging with different community partners including growers, K-12 students and teachers, international communities, and governmental/political engagement.

When Offered Spring.

Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: distribution-level biology course.

• Describe extension/outreach and engagement and put this into context of Cornell's land grant mission.
• Understand how to identify engagement/outreach opportunities and build trust necessary for developing and sustaining community partnerships.
• Interact with diverse audiences such as homeowners, growers, K-12 students and teachers, and international communities while enhancing diversity and inclusion.
• Enhance traditional outreach methods including public speaking, interaction and engagement skills along with writing for the public, including scientific content.
• Engage the public through social media, video production, and the mass media.
• Assess the impact of engagement.

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