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City of San José Civics Master Class

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Welcome to the City of San José's Civics Master class!

We are thrilled that you have decided to take the first step in becoming an active participant in your local government. Our free online and self-paced program is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to make a meaningful impact in your community. 

At the City of San José, we firmly believe that civic participation is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. We want to empower every resident, regardless of their background, to get involved in local government and have their voice heard. 

Our program offers a comprehensive guide to understanding the ins and outs of local government, from attending public meetings to joining a city board and commission. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newcomer to the world of civic engagement, our Civics Masterclass has something to offer everyone. 

By participating in our self-paced program, you'll gain the skills and confidence necessary to engage and participate in public meetings and policy making in the City of San José. We believe that with your involvement, we can build a stronger, more vibrant community together. 

So, what are you waiting for? Start today and take the first step towards making a positive impact on your community through active participation in local government. Join us as we work together to build a more inclusive, transparent, and responsive government for all residents of the City of San José. 

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PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN THE FOLLOWING:

 

View Syllabus (PDF)

Get ready to unlock your potential as a civic leader through our Civics Masterclass! Here are just a few of the exciting things you'll learn: 

  1. Discover the Basics of Public Administration: Our program will provide you with a solid understanding of the different structures and responsibilities of federal, state, and local government in the United States. You'll be able to apply this knowledge to make informed decisions about local policy and governance. 

  2. Master Parliamentary Procedure: We'll teach you how to facilitate democratic decision-making in deliberative groups through the use of parliamentary procedure. You'll also learn how to navigate and participate in public meetings hosted by the City of San José City Council, Council Committees, and Boards and Commissions.

  3. Understand Local Government Policies: You will gain a better understanding of state and local requirements that ensure public access to local government meetings under the California Brown Act and the City of San José's Sunshine Policies. 

  4. Conduct Research and Draft Your Own Policy Ideas: Our program will equip you with the skills to research city legislative files, conduct open-source research, and find independent evidence from government agencies, academic institutions, industry associations, and other sources. This will enable you to understand data-driven policy decisions and advocate for the issues that matter to you. Our program will give you the opportunity to put your knowledge into practice by providing you best practices of how the City of San José drafts their policies.

  5. Master the Art of Storytelling: At the end of the module, you will be able to communicate your ideas effectively to your community and elected officials. Providing you with the basic principles of storytelling and how to translate your policy idea into a compelling narrative that resonates with your intended audiences.  

 

By the end of our Civics Masterclass, you'll be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to become a proactive participant in local government and a powerful advocate for positive change in your community. 

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Video Tutorial: How to Access the Course 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this for anyone in the public? 

Yes! Anyone can take this course. Past participants include students, parents, educators, artists, community organizers, nonprofit leaders, and more. 

I want to view the course but it’s asking me to register. Do I have to? 

We ask that participants register so that we can understand why people are taking the course, is it useful, are there ways we can improve, and basic information on community members engaging in this course! 

I’ve registered for the course. Now what? 

Thank you for registering! You are free to launch the course through this link or by opening the “Launch Course” button on this page.  

When I click the course link, nothing comes up. 

The course works best for modern browsers that are up to date. You may have to disable your pop-up blocker in your browser settings in order for the course page to open. You also might have to clear your cache. If you are still having trouble, please contact OfficeofRacialEquity@sanjoseca.gov. 

Can I take this course on my phone? 

Yes. The course should be viewable on phones and other devices such as tablets. 

How long will it take to finish the course? 

It depends. We estimate the total course can take you from 2.5 hours up to 5 hours. This depends on how fast you read the text/watch the videos, how many of the extra links you click and explore, whether you spend extra time taking the quizzes, and other factors. 

Do I have to take the course in order? 

Not necessarily! Though we do recommend taking the course in order from Module 1 to Module 5, you are free to take the course in your preferred order of modules. Once you launch the course, you can navigate to the module of your choice. 

Can I take some of the course now and save the rest for another day? 

Yes! You can always relaunch the course. Just remember which module and lesson you left off on. While the page may not save where you left off, you are free to skip straight to that lesson. 

Can I receive a certificate for completing this course? 

Please fill out the completion survey and let us know that you want to receive a certificate. 

Where can I share feedback about the course? 

Thank you for being invested in improving this course! We suggest that you finish taking the course and fill out the completion survey, where you will be able to provide your feedback. For more immediate concerns, please feel free to contact OfficeofRacialEquity@sanjoseca.gov. 

I filled out the completion survey and still have not received my certificate. 

Thank you for your patience. Certificates will be sent out within a month of completing the form. 

Are there any additional courses coming out? 

We appreciate your enthusiasm to continue learning! While there are no confirmed additions at the moment, we suggest you look through the course syllabus for supplementary materials. We will announce in the future if there are additions to the course. If there are specific topics you wish to learn about, we encourage you to include them in your completion survey. 

Feel free to follow the Office of Racial and Social Equity’s social media (Instagram/Facebook) for future updates on the course and on other programs we offer. 

Is there an in-person option for this course? 

The course has been conducted through in-person sessions with local partners, and there could be additional sessions in the future. To stay informed about upcoming in-person opportunities, follow the Office of Racial and Social Equity on social media (Instagram/Facebook) for updates regarding the course and other programs we provide. 

How can I collaborate and teach this course to my own community? 

Email us at OfficeofRacialEquity@sanjoseca.gov for the syllabus, survey, and social media graphics!