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Civic Engagement and Leadership Development – Spring 2020

December 18, 2019 Murphy Institute

The Civic Engagement and Leadership Development program (CELD), CUNY’s very popular civic leadership program will hold its annual Saturday morning sessions starting on February 1, 2020 and ending on Saturday, March 28, 2020.

Registration for this course is open now through January 20, 2020.

The program is sponsored and hosted by the new CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies, which grew out of the Murphy Institute, and its over 30 years of educating tens of thousands of New Yorkers about the challenges and possibilities confronting organized labor and working-class communities.

Each of the 8 Saturday morning sessions will feature veteran practitioners and CUNY faculty with years of experience and expertise in civic leadership, electoral politics, the history of mass movements, and policymaking at the local, state and national levels of government.

Participants completing at least 7 of the 8 Saturday morning sessions will receive a certificate. All participants will join the growing network of CELD alumni, and be invited to future civic leadership events and gatherings.

Registration info and tentative class descriptions are below. Questions? Email us at events@slu.cuny.edu. Continue reading Civic Engagement and Leadership Development – Spring 2020 →

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A Threat Within: Cybersecurity Virtual Internship Case Study

May 10, 2019 Murphy Institute

SLU’s Worker Education in collaboration with the Tech Incubator at Queens College and iQ4 is offering a free four-session course “Threat Within: Cybersecurity Virtual Internship Case Study” in summer 2019.

This cybersecurity applied learning course is a non credit course, free of charge, to the SLU students and staff. The course is not highly technical and is designed to introduce students regardless of their major to cybersecurity, as an academic discipline and a career alternative.

This is an opportunity for students to develop/enhance their soft skills using cybersecurity as the use case. Students will be working in teams and presenting their weekly assignments to iQ4 volunteer, industry mentors.

Students will receive an iQ4 Certificate of Completion, upon completing the four session course, along with a Skills Passport, and a online next gen resume from iQ4.

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Spring 2019 Special Topics Course: Economic Democracy & System Change (M 6:15-8:45pm)

November 28, 2018 Murphy Institute

Evan Casper-Futterman and Michael Menser

URB 651- Special Topics: Economic Democracy and System Change Class
LABR 669 – Special Topics: Economic Democracy and System Change Class
And cross listed at the Grad Center, Earth and Environmental Science Dept.

Discussions around economic democracy and economic “alternatives” often focus on either firm-level changes like cooperative ownership structures, or focus on high-level, abstract conceptual shifts from “capitalism” or “neoliberalism” to some “next system”. Where do system transformation and the transformation of daily life intersect and interact? How do we join the urgent need for institutional redesign and reconstruction to the present day political movements and structures available to us today?

In this class we will look at mechanisms and visions for democratizing the economy, politics, and social life. We will investigate democratic forms of ownership, management, production, and consumption and the institutional and political conditions needed for them to flourish and scale. Perspectives discussed include solidarity economy, community wealth building, P2P, co-city, new municipalism, energy democracy, commons, climate justice. Processes and forms include participatory budgeting, green new deal, cooperatives, platform cooperativism, reparations, community land trusts, federal job guarantee, public bank, green transition. Sectors include healthcare, climate change adaptation, advanced manufacturing, public utilities in energy, water and broadband. Readings will draw from multiple disciplines, and include scholarship, policy, and dispatches from activists and practitioners past and present including Kali Akuno, Sylvia Federici, Sheila Foster, Jessica Gordon-Nembhard, Paul Mason, Nathan Schneider, and many others.

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Civic Engagement & Leadership Development – Spring Semester 2018

January 4, 2018 Murphy Institute

The Murphy Institute is pleased to present the Spring 2018 Civic Engagement & Leadership Development series for union members, organizers, activists, and aspiring politicians to deepen their thinking about ways to engage the democratic process and learn new skills related to effective participation in electoral, legislative, and other civic activity. This free 10 week series is a great opportunity to engage with CUNY faculty and other experts in civic engagement, politics, history mass movements, and public policymaking; broaden your network; and earn a certificate of completion.

Saturdays, Jan 27th – April 28th, 2017
11am-12pm
Murphy Institute
24 W. 43rd St., 18th Floor, NYC

Register here by January 19th, 2017

SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2018
Session 1: Civic Engagement: Concepts, Context, Content, and the Constitution
This is session will provide an overview of the course as well as familiarize students with basic concepts underpinning the vital role of civic engagement plays in expanding and extending participation in the democratic process. This session will also survey civic engagement challenges and experiences that have emerged in the contemporary context.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2018
Session 2: Pivotal Movements at Pivotal Moments in U.S. History
This session utilizes pivotal moments and movements to illustrate several uniquely innovative ways in which citizens have exercised “the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Particular attention will be given to drawing parallels between pivotal movements and moments in U.S. historical experience that successfully impacted public policy and governance in ways that expanded democracy and contemporary issues, dynamics, and challenges that face the United States today.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2018
Session 3: Using Power Analysis
Power analysis is a tool that many community organizations, civic movements, and issue-based coalitions use to understand how political power is wielded in a given jurisdiction, by whom, and to what degree in relation to particular public issues and policy concerns. Students will be tutored in using power analysis to discern and assess the power analysis political actors wield in their own community. Students will also devise strategies and tactics for building or broadening civic engagement in these jurisdictions.

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018
Session 4: Engaging the Challenge of Diversity
This session examines the “creative tension” between demographic diversity and the capacity of the political system to include “all the people.” Students will discuss whether or not there is validity to the notion that “demographics are destiny in politics” in light of racial and partisan gerrymandering in redistricting, voter suppression legislation and regulations, and low minority and young voter turnout. Attention will also be given to the importance of achieving an accurate census count in 2020 and post-census mobilization around redistricting. Students will also explore ways to identify, incorporate, and utilize strengths arising from diversity.

SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 2018
Session 5: Advocating & Organizing in Electoral and Non-Electoral Contexts
Students will survey a variety of skills, techniques, and strategies employed to advocate issues between and during election cycles, as well as examine the ways in which organizing and mobilizing constituencies in electoral and non-electoral contexts overlap. Students will also take part in designing approaches that unions or community-based organizations might undertake to successfully advocate their issues while transitioning to and from electoral and non-electoral contexts.

SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2018
Session 6: Post-Election Challenges
What if the candidate(s) your union, organization, or coalition supported wins? What if that election also results in this candidate’s party keeping or gaining control of the legislative and/or the executive branch?

But, what if the candidate(s) your union, organization, or coalition supported wins? What if his or her party maintains or regains control of the legislative and/or executive branch? What are civic engagement challenges going forward?

This session focuses on the post-election challenges leaders and activists face in transitioning from campaigning to governing, including how to respond to favorable or cope with unfavorable results; how to adjust to a new political situation; and how to influence the policy priorities and staff appointments of the elected officials your union, community organization or coalition supported or how to deal with a winning candidate your union, community organization or coalition opposed.

SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018
Session 7: Engaging Governance and Policymaking
Civic engagement movements focus on public policy or otherwise attempt to compel government to favorably respond to their concerns. This session provides a basic understanding of the rules, procedures, mechanics, pressure points, and institutional participants in the policymaking process. Special attention will be given to lobbying tactics and techniques civic movements, issue coalitions, community-based organizations, labor organizations, and particularly political parties use to influence policymakers, build a policy consensus, and mobilize alliances with the legislative and executive branches to enact legislation. Students will apply what they have learned in this session to constructing their own model for engaging the policymaking process.

SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2018
Session 8: Navigating Progressive Priorities Through the Budget Process
Existing programs require continuous funding. New programs require new appropriations. The budget process is the central institutional vehicle governments use to decide “who gets what, and how much.” This session examines how unions, civic movements, and issue-based coalitions navigate their priorities through the New York City and New York State budget processes.

SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 2018
Session 9: Developing Civic Engagement Leaders & Activists: Methods, Techniques, and Strategies
Civic engagement involves mobilizing communities to pressure government to address their concerns while politically empowering themselves in the process. This session focuses on the knowledge and skills community leaders and grassroots activists need in regard to applying outside pressure on decision-makers and government institutions; direct participation in policymaking, advisory, and quasi-governmental entities, and exercising influence through political parties, campaigns, and elections.

SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2018
Session 10: Class Dialogue on Leadership Challenges in 2018 and Beyond
This session focuses on key challenges leaders and activists face in the context of the 2018 midterm congressional, gubernatorial, and state legislative elections. Discussion will center on ways in which the students — based on what they have learned — think civic engagement initiatives should tackle overlapping local, state, and national political dynamics.

Attend at least 7 sessions and receive a certificate of completion.

**Attendance for the first two session is required**

For questions or more information, email murphyinstitute@cuny.edu or call 212-642-2081.

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Civic Engagement & Leadership Development 2017

January 27, 2017 Murphy Institute

The Murphy Institute is pleased to present the Spring 2017 Civic Engagement & Leadership Development series for union members, organizers, activists, and aspiring politicians to deepen their thinking about ways to engage the democratic process and learn new skills related to effective participation in electoral, legislative, and other civic activity. This free 10 week series is a great opportunity to engage with CUNY faculty and other experts in civic engagement, politics, history mass movements, and public policymaking; broaden your network; and earn a certificate of completion.

Saturdays, Feb 25th – May 13th, 2017
10am-12pm
Murphy Institute
24 W. 43rd St., 18th Floor, NYC

Register here by Feb. 17th, 2017

Civic Engagement & Leadership Development – Spring Semester 2017

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017
Session 1: Civic Engagement: Concepts and Context
This is session will preview the course sessions as well as familiarize students with basic concepts, expressions, and debates about the role of civic engagement in democratic governance. Particular attention will be given to considering these concepts in the aftermath of the 2016 election.

SATURDAY, March 4, 2017
Session 2: Pivotal Moments and Movements in U.S. History

This session utilizes pivotal moments and movements to illustrate in ways which citizens have been able to exercise within the framework of the Constitution their right to peacefully seek a redress of grievances in ways that expanded American democracy, both broadened and deepened the Constitution, and decisively influenced public policy.

SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 2017
Session 3: Engaging and Embracing Demographic Diversity
This session examines the “creative tension” between America’s increasing demographic diversity and the capacity of its political system to include “all the people.” Students will discuss the notion “demographics are destiny in politics” in light of contemporary mechanisms and practices intended to restrict voting rights, manipulate redistricting, and maintain discriminatory systems. Students will also explore ways in which organizations, coalitions, and mass movements should identify and incorporate the strengths arising from diversity.

SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 2017
Session 4: Organizing and Advocating Issues in Electoral and Non-Electoral Contexts

This examines the interconnection between electoral activity and ongoing movements and organizing efforts. Students will survey different skills, techniques, strategies and tactics required to advocate and organize around issues between as well as during election cycles. Students will be challenged to design approaches that unions, community-based organizations or coalitions might employ in electoral versus non-electoral contexts.

SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2017
Session 5: Post-Election Challenges
What if the candidate your union, organization, or coalition supported wins? What if this candidate’s party controls the legislative and/or the executive branch? This session focuses on the post-election challenges leaders and activists face in meeting the challenges of transitioning from campaigning to governing, including responding to favorable or coping with unfavorable results; adjusting to a new political situation; influencing the policy priorities and staff appointments of the elected officials your union, organization or coalition supported.

SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2017
Session 6: Engaging the Policymaking Process
Civic engagement movements invariably focus on public policy and compelling government to favorably respond to their concerns. This session provides a basic understanding of the rules, procedures, mechanics, pressure points, and institutional participants in the policymaking process. Special attention will be given to lobbying tactics and techniques civic movements, issue coalitions, community-based organizations, and labor organizations use to influence policymakers, build policy consensus, and mobilize legislative alliances. Students will be encouraged to use what they have learned to construct their own model for influencing policymaking.

SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2017
Session 7: Navigating Progressive Priorities through the Budget Process
Public policies and programs cost money. New demands met require new appropriations. The budget process is the central institutional vehicle government uses to decide “who gets what.” This session examines how organized labor, progressive movements, and issue-based coalitions navigate their priorities through the municipal, state, and federal budget processes. Students will learn basic budget concepts as well as how to monitor the budget process.

SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2017
Session 8: Building Grassroots Influence within Governmental Institutions

Civic engagement often centers on a group of neighbors, community activists or labor-community coalitions mobilizing independently to compel government to address their concerns. But one of the key challenges these activists face is whether or how to engage as well as directly participate in policymaking, advisory and other governmental or quasi-governmental institutions.

SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2017
Session 9: Using Factual Knowledge to Empower Leaders and Activists

The notion that “knowledge is power” applies to movements and leaders. Effective leaders are also knowledgeable leaders — they are aware of history, know the issues, are familiar with how our system of government works, understand and respect diversity, are well-read, rely on factual information, and constantly update their skill in using social media and information technology. Community organizations, public institutions, unions, coalitions, and government bodies need thoughtful, well-informed leaders and activists. This session focuses on utilizing research and accurate information in making strategic projections and in learning from the experience of others.

SATURDAY, MAY 13, 2017
Session 10: Leadership Challenges in 2017 and Beyond

This session focuses on key organizational and strategic challenges leaders and activists face in the political setting that will be largely defined by the first 100 days of the Trump Administration and the onset of the New York City municipal election cycle. Discussion will focus on ways in which — based on what they have learned — students think civic engagement initiatives can respond to or stimulate mobilization around overlapping local, state, and national dynamics. This session concludes with the awarding of Certificates of Completion to students who completed at least 8 sessions.

For questions or more information, email murphyinstitute@cuny.edu or call 212-642-2081.

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Fall Undergraduate Class: Labor and the Climate Crisis

June 21, 2016 Murphy Institute

This course is open to interested students, labor and climate activists with at least a High School Diploma or GED. Students can email david.unger@cuny.edu or call 212-642-2011 for more information about registration and fees.

Taught by Lara Skinner, Ph.D.

URB451 Special Topics in Urban Studies – Labor and the Climate Crisis
Wednesdays 6:15 – 9:35 pm @ Cornell Conference Center

How can the labor movement and others best respond to the climate crisis? How can unions work to protect both the environment and good jobs? This class will give students a foundation in the scientific, social, and political aspects of the looming crisis. Students will explore how they can more effectively engage their unions, movement activism, and scholarship in efforts to protect the environment and our future.

Instructor: Lara Skinner, Ph.D., Associate Director of The Worker Institute at Cornell and Co-Chair of the Institute’s Labor Leading on Climate Initiative. Skinner has worked for unions doing campaign research and policy development since 1999. She began her career in labor working with Oregon’s Farmworkers Union (Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste) and as an active member of the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation, Local 3544. Skinner’s current research, writing, and labor education work focuses on increasing the role of unions and working people in addressing the environmental and climate crises and building a powerful, inclusive movement for climate and economic justice.

Registration for the class will open soon! Students must register through CUNYFirst. For more information on registering using CUNYFirst, call Orson Barzola at 212-340-2871. Registration is on a first-come basis, and is limited to 25 students.

Photo by Joe Brusky via flickr (CC-BY-NC)

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