The City of San Jose is Offering a New Civics Course
It is no secret the past couple of years have highlighted the importance of civic engagement in American democracy. From Stacey Abrams calling out voter suppression in the state of Georgia in 2018 to increased youth voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election, many are realizing just how important it is to get involved with federal, state, and local governments alike. However, those wanting to become more civically engaged may not always know where to start. Thankfully, the City of San Jose has an answer.
On March 14, the City of San Jose’s Office of Racial Equity announced the launch of a Civics Master Class. The course is free, offered in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, and is self-paced. Participants are able to either watch videos or read through the course, and can register online using this link. In the press release announcing the course, City Manager Jennifer Maguire explains that the course offers a comprehensive guide to understanding how local government functions and that the material aims to elevate the confidence of participants to engage in public meetings, joining boards, and commissions. The course syllabus includes topics ranging from the basics of public administration to conducting research and drafting one’s own policy ideas.
The course was developed in partnership with a local nonprofit organization, Only in San Jose. The nonprofit releases a podcast that aims to “strategically provide free civic education, that enables, and empowers the people of San José with the knowledge, skills, resources, and confidence to create the change they wish to see in their community.” Its commitment to ensuring equitable access to educational resources about the inner workings of San Jose is directly aligned with the mission of the Civics Master Class.
The path to becoming a politically engaged citizen is one that is not always clearly laid out, nor has it historically been a path that is inclusive. Women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals have had to blaze their own trails in order to ensure that their voices are heard in democracy. This is still seen when looking at elected officials in the Bay Area. Even though people of color make up 60 percent of the region, as of 2023 only 37 percent of elected officials are people of color. This imbalance underscores the importance of increasing representation and diversity within politics and local government.
When looking at the barriers to civic participation, lack of education is another factor that prevents people from civically engaging. Oftentimes, not knowing how to run for office or even how to vote can prevent citizens from getting involved in government. The Civics Master Class specifically addresses this barrier through a robust curriculum that serves as a kick-off point for those wanting to become more politically active. It also gives participants the tools they need to create the change they wish to see in their communities through drafting their own policies.
Ultimately, the City of San Jose is setting an important example to all local governments through establishing their new Civics Master Class. It is recognizing the fact that the government has historically excluded various groups of people from being civically engaged and is offering a pathway to remedy this. It will be interesting to see if other local governments follow in the footsteps of San Jose through educating and empowering their citizens.
