Power Civics: Leadership & No-Blame Problem-Solving Certificate
Self-paced, auto-graded course; 10 hours to complete
Are you frustrated with the government? Are you worried about the political blame game and the inability of leaders to keep pace with pressing problems? This course will teach you the ten steps of No-Blame practical problem-solving, proven successful in the venue of local government. This method has been applauded by respected government and business leaders alike for its applicability in all venues. You will also learn how to get in the game of government problem-solving. Learn the rules of the game, the positions you can take, and how to score with proven solutions. And while you're at it, earn a Certificate in Leadership and No-Blame Problem-Solving.
It’s the 21st century: we can’t wait on the sidelines and expect government officials to keep pace with solving every problem. You’ve voted, maybe you’ve protested, but you can do much more. You can get in the game, using your common sense and financial awareness, and propose solutions that government officials -- or corporate executives -- will be excited to adopt.
Course Learning Objectives
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Evaluate solutions to determine if they are practical, evidence-based, and cost-effective
- Use No-Blame Problem Solving in professional contexts such as government, the corporate world, nonprofit advocacy, and/or your personal life
- Recognize your right to access public records and participate in government decisions at local power centers
- Identify roles you can take in your city to offer solutions and leadership without running for office
The Community Journalism Lab
The Community Journalism Lab (“J Lab”) is a free, 6 week, experiential journalism certificate program.
In this program students will develop skills to tell the stories of their own communities. With instruction from a trained journalist and professor they will be introduced to different storytelling tools, learn what makes something newsworthy, and become familiar with reporting ethics. Keeping a reporter’s notebook will be central to the learning process as students gather facts and conduct interviews. Students will progress through a series of steps from identifying a local issue and attending an associated event–such as a school board meeting or town hall–all the way through to creating a story to inform their community. All materials provided.
Sessions will be held in the newsroom at Mercer County Community College’s state of the art Conference Center.
Certificates are awarded based on attendance, effective use of the reporter’s notebook, and satisfactory completion of the final project. Some student work may be published in MCCC’s award-winning newspaper The College VOICE if approved by the Managing Editor and Editor in Chief.