UCLA
Civic Learning and
Democratic Engagement

Democracy Workshops

About

The idea for Democracy Workshops arose from the realization that UCLA – along with all other colleges and universities – can and should do more to live up to higher education's historic civic purpose of producing informed and engaged citizens. Funded by a VOICE (Valuing Open and Inclusive Conversation and Engagement) Award from the UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement, this educational workshop series aims to prepare UCLA students to engage with democracy – both in the 2024 election season and beyond. The initial conceptualization of Democracy Workshops centered student learning, development, and engagement. Each workshop revolves around a core topic and lasts approximately one to two hours.

UCLA Campus Life received a VOICE Award to pilot the Democracy Workshop program in 2023-24 and received another VOICE Award to continue to the series in 2024-25.

Topics explored in 2023-24 include critical media literacy, strategies for talking across political differences, election administration, understanding your ballot, and even a debate watch party for the California U.S. Senate election.

Picture of students listening to SEIS Professor Jeff Share in the Pauley Pavilion Clubhouse.

Critical Media Literacy as a Tool for Empowered Civic Engagement (November 1, 2023)

Led by Jeff Share (PhD ‘06), a lecturer in the School of Education and Information Studies, this workshop focused on critical media literacy as a tool to question media representations with the goals of strengthening democracy and empowering responsible citizenry.

PowerPoint slide that reads "Welcome to Democracy Workshops" with various civic graphics.

Strategies for Talking across Political Differences during a Polarized Time (November 14, 2023)

Led by Maia Ferdman(BA/MA ‘15), project manager of the UCLA Initiative to Study Hate and founder of Bridges Intergroup Relations Consulting, this workshop focused on bridge building across political divides.

Picture of students using the LA County's Ballot Marking Devices (BMDs).

Understanding Elections: An Evening with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (January 23, 2024)

Led by Dean Logan, the LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, this workshop focused on understanding elections administration in LA County and gave students the opportunity to try out the County's Ballot Marking Devices (BMDs).