Summary
The US onAir Network will be working with volunteers from Illinois universities, colleges, and nonprofit organizations to oversee the curation and moderation of posts, aircasts (online discussions), and in person events for the Illinois onAir Hub … related to federal, state, and local elections and government.
Our first outreach will be to University of Illinois partly because of its proximity to the state capital. We have identified many of University of Illinois’ civic engagement, academic, internship and research programs related to making democracy and civic responsibility a focus of higher learning on their campus … for students, faculty, staff, and local community. This post, over time, will have similar information on other collaborating organizations in the state.
Contact ben.murphy@onair.cc for more information on how to involve your organization.
About
The University of Illinois’s onAir chapter will initially focus on training interested undergrad and graduate students on how to curate Illinois onAir content especially submitting Top News articles, events, videos, and information and moderating forums in each post they curate.
Student curators will also work with state senate and house committee chairs to produce aircasts on issues being discussed and bills being proposed in their committees.
During election season, students with other other organizations like the League of Women Voters, will coordinate and produce aircasted debates with candidates.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Source: About Illinois
Campus Facts
Civic Engagement Programs
Source: Civic Leadership Program
The Civic Leadership Program (CLP) offers students an informed appreciation of American democracy, the values and structures on which it is based, its successes and its weaknesses, and the challenges it will face in the 21st century. Because the potential benefits of democratic governance cannot be realized without an abundant supply of capable and committed civic leaders, the Civic Leadership Program takes on the mission of generating a stream of highly motivated, exceptionally capable, ethically aware, and broadly-trained individuals who will be prepared to assume leadership positions in civic affairs in both the private and the public domains.
The Program is designed to appeal to students with interests in American politics, public policy, and civic engagement. The curriculum points CLP students toward coursework inside and outside the Department of Political Science that will provide them with the substantive background and theoretical foundations to understand leadership and policymaking in the U.S. context and to participate as civic leaders.
Undergraduate students participate in the Civic Leadership Program through two paths: the Civic Leadership Concentration (for political science majors) and the Political and Civic Leadership Minor (for students majoring in other fields). Admission to the program is based on academic performance, demonstrated leadership achievement, and the potential for meaningful civic engagement. Successful completion of either the concentration or the minor requires three components: foundation coursework in political science and/or related disciplines, specialized coursework in civic leadership, and an internship.
Apply to the Civic Leadership Program
Civic Leadership Program Requirements
Student Government
Source: Illinois Student Government
OUR MISSION
The Illinois Student Government is the officially recognized system of student governance at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Our mission is to “advance the collective interest and safeguarding the rights of the students; maintain the quality of life, education, employment, research, and services at the institution; and provide for the awareness and general welfare of the campus and community.”
The Illinois Student Government is made up of graduate and undergraduate students elected to represent students at the University. Student Government sponsors initiatives that address pressing issues on campus, from the sexual assault policy to racial tensions on campus. Student Government seeks to play a role in all aspects of University life, from housing and diversity to funding and dining.
Internships
Source: Academic Internship Programs
Academic Programs
Source: Political Science Department website
Undergraduate Studies
At the University of Illinois, instruction in the field of political science is divided into five areas. These are American Politics, Public Policy, Comparative Politics, Political Theory (or Political Philosophy) and International Relations. Each of these areas, or subfields, addresses some issues of political systems and political life. As students grow in their understanding and take more advanced courses, they learn how ideas, concepts and theories from one area relate to those in another.
Each subfield contains an introductory field course, other intermediate courses, and advanced-level (300- and 400-level) courses. Generally, students should take the introductory course in a given field before taking any advanced level courses in that field.
The Department of Political Science offers a major — with choices of two concentrations — and two different minors. There is the political science general major and minor, and there is the political science major with a concentration in civic leadership and a minor in political and civic leadership. The specific requirements of these different options are set out below.
Political and Civic Leadership Minor
Graduate Studies
Our graduate program is highly selective. Each year our goal is to admit a small group of the most capable applicants. In a small program, students have the opportunity to work closely with faculty members, and many of our students publish articles while in graduate school. The small size also contributes to a supportive and collegial environment in the graduate program, one of our great strengths.
Our students maintain an active research agenda. Most publish while in graduate school, alone or in collaboration with their colleagues or faculty mentors. Browse our student publications, 1990–present.
The University of Illinois is part of the Consortium for Institutional Cooperation (the CIC), an organization composed of Big-10 universities and the University of Chicago. CIC membership allows students to participate easily in programs at other CIC institutions, including the Michigan/ICPSR summer methods program and the Indiana University language programs. In addition, CIC video courses bring students into contact with faculty and students at other institutions.
Research Initiatives
Source: Research Institutes and Centers
Our faculty and graduate students are involved in research institutes and centers across the campus.
Cline Center for Advanced Social Research
Institute of Government and Public Affairs
Program in Arms Control and Domestic and International Security
