WSU Community Education Courses Highlight Voting and Civil Rights
OGDEN, Utah – Weber State University’s College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, in partnership with WSU Community Education, is offering two free courses this fall that will explore the United States’ election system and the civil rights movement throughout history.
The first course, “Politics and People: Election 2020,” will discuss why people vote, how people vote and to what extent a person’s vote matters in nationwide elections. In addition, it will examine what happens on election day and why it happens. The course will run for 14 weeks, from Aug. 25 to Nov. 24.
“Every four years, U.S. citizens have an opportunity to participate in shaping the future of this country,” said Leah Murray, WSU political science professor. “It is important for us to vote and make our voices heard, but it is perhaps more important for us to be informed and engaged voters. This course will help people learn how to do that.”
Over the 14 weeks, participants will hear from experts in various fields, including journalists, historians and political science experts. The class will also watch a presidential debate together and examine the ongoing election cycle as it unfolds.
The Ongoing Struggle for Civil Rights in America
The second course, “The Ongoing Struggle for Civil Rights in America,” will explore the history of the civil rights movement and the continued fight for racial equality. The course will run for eight weeks, from Sept. 10 to Oct. 29.
“The killing of George Floyd has refocused national and international attention on the longstanding problem of racial inequality in America and the centuries-long struggle to overcome it,” said Susan Matt, WSU history professor. “This course will set the current struggle for civil rights in context. Faculty from across the university, as well as community leaders, will present on the history of slavery, the Constitution, mass incarceration, the Harlem Renaissance, the "war" on drugs, inequities in economics and health care, Asian and Latinx experiences, and the Black Lives Matter movement.”
Both courses will be taught virtually using Zoom and Google Meet video conferencing platforms. Although there is no cost associated with either course, participants are required to register at continue.weber.edu/communityed. Those who enroll in the course can earn one free credit in Short Courses, Workshops, Institutes and Special Programs (Sociology 2920) after paying a $20 recording fee.
Weber State’s Division of Online & Continuing Education offers various courses throughout the year to encourage lifelong learning, professional development and community education. For fall 2020, the majority of WSU’s community education courses will be held online to mitigate risk from COVID-19. The full listing of fall courses will be available for registration on Sept. 15. Visit continue.weber.edu/communityed for course listings and more information.
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Shaylee Stevens, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-7948 • shayleestevens@weber.edu- Contact:
Susan Matt, history professor
801-626-7325 • smatt@weber.eduLeah Murray, political science and philosophy professor
801-626-6694 • lmurray@weber.edu