Public Lecture: "America@250: An Opportunity for Civic Renewal in the USA" - for the Great Lakes Center for the Study of the United States at Makerere University

As a part of my collaboration and work with the Great Lakes Center for the Study of the United States, I delivered a guest lecture

America@250: Opportunity for Civic Renewal

How can the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence be used as a much-needed opportunity for civic renewal in the US?

I began my presentation by reviewing the basic features of American constitutional democracy and its philosophical underpinnings as well as key elements of American political culture (liberty, equality, democracy).  After discussing the declining civic health in the US and the vital civic mission of the university, I devoted most of my presentation to sharing "best practices" of civics education,

The bulk of my presentation was devoted to a discussion of "best practices" for improving civics education. Some of the examples that we discussed include

1)  The University of South Florida St. Peterburg Citizen Scholar Program

The objective of the citizen scholar model is to combine academic instruction with implementation of concepts learned in the classroom into the local community. The local community is broadly defined to include business, educational, and social service agencies as well as local laboratories’ faculty use to further their research agendas. 

Citizen Scholar courses get students out of the classroom and into the community, working on projects that are related to the learning outcomes in the course.

We discussed ways that civic and community engagement can be incorporated into the curriculum in a way that improves student learning outcomes and benefits the community.

2) The Civics Project assignment in my American National Government course 

I shared more about the Civics Project Worksheet and Civics Project Assignment that I developed for my American National Government students. 

The assignment provides the opportunity for students to get out and experience American Government - by attending School Board/City Council/County Commission meetings, meeting their state legislators, volunteering for a community organization or a political campaign, etc.

For more about this project, see my article 

“Civic Engagement in the Online Classroom: Increasing Youth Political Engagement in an Online American Government Course.” Vol. 8, No. 1 (April 2019)  eJournal of Public Affairs, pp. 32-68.

https://www.ejournalofpublicaffairs.org/civic-engagement-in-the-online-classroom-increasing-youth-political-engagement-in-an-online-american-government-course/

We discussed potential projects that could enhance students' civic learning outcomes and improved civic efficacy.

3) The Citizen's Campaign/The Citizen Service

The Citizen's Campaign/Citizen Service developed a Power Civics Curriculum, based on its 10 Steps of No Blame Problem Solving methodology:

https://thecitizenservice.org/

1- Identify your issue focus

2- Find out how the current policy works

3- Conduct evidence-based research

4 -Shape your solution

5- Make sure it is cost effective

6- Do the Doable

7- Get support from experts

8- present a ready-to-adopt solution

9- make a respectful presentation

10- Respectful pursuit – diplomatically push for adoption

This is a FREE curriculum that can be accessed online.  It includes videos and a textbook -- and -- after passing the quizzes -- students can earn a certificate.  https://thecitizenservice.org/

I have incorporated this 10 Steps of No Blame Problem-Solving method and the Power Civics Curriculum into a course assignment in my American National Government course and in my Florida Politics and Government course. 

In the Florida Politics course, students were expected to develop their citizenship skills by becoming certified in the Leadership and No Blame Problem Solving curriculum.  Then they worked together in groups to research public policy issues they care about in order to develop effective solutions.  By the end of the semester, the groups presented their proposed solutions before relevant policy makers (City Council, School Board, etc.).

One of the student groups from my Florida Politics class presenting before the PSTA

One of my Florida Politics students presenting before the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners

One of the groups was able to secure free bus transportation for all veterans in Pinellas County -- for more than 80,000 veterans!

See more here -- 

https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2023/10/24/psta-bus-rides-veterans

https://www.tampabay28.com/news/region-pinellas/school-project-leads-to-free-bus-rides-for-veterans-in-pinellas-county

Note - I have a forthcoming article about integrating this project into course requirements/assignment. I will update this post with a link to the article as soon as it is published in January

“Using the Citizens Campaign “10 Steps of No Blame Problem Solving’ Method” to Teach Students How to Work with Policy Makers to Solve Community Problems.” The Political Science Educator Vol. 29, Issue 2 (Winter 2026).

Describing the 10 Steps of No Blame Problem Solving 

Watching the intro video to the Power Civics Curriculum

I was so pleased with the response to the "No Blame Problem-Solving" approach.  One Public Administration professor stopped by to see me during my office hours to let me know that he was already incorporating this approach in his classes. And several others approached me to let me know that they were going to adopt this mentality of "No Blame Problem Solving."

4) USFSP YMCA Civic Fellows Program

The USF St. Petersburg YMCA Civic Fellows Program is an award-winning partnership between the University of South Florida St. Petersburg and the YMCA Youth In Government (YIG) Program. This is a unique and innovative academic year-long program that brings college-level civics education to high school students served by the YMCA. Civic Fellows, who must be at least sophomores in high school, earn six hours of college credit through their participation, which includes monthly programming throughout the school year and a summer Civics Institute that connects the students to governmental leaders, community service opportunities, and leadership development programs. Assessment results demonstrate that students who participate in the USF St. Petersburg YMCA Civic Fellows Program have greater exposure to their government and express higher levels of engagement and interest in running for office than do peers without access to the program.

Listening to one of the high school students about what she got out of the USFSP YMCA Civic Fellows Program Summer Civics Institute

We discussed ideas for improving civics education in Uganda.

See this video for more about the program:

https://www.stpetersburg.usf.edu/news/2024/civics-program-strengthens-understanding-involvement-government.aspx

For more, see this book chapter: “The USFSP-YMCA Civic Fellows Program: Developing University-Community Partnerships to Improve Civics Education.” Civic Pedagogy: Teaching Civic Engagement in an Era of Divisive Politics. Palgrave Macmillan 2024.  https://link.springer.com/book/9783031551543

Additional Resources -- Strengthening Civic Engagement

The Good Citizen

https://www.goodcitizen.org/effective-and-involved-citizens/

We discussed how many of these suggestions could be adapted to the Ugandan context.

Looking at suggestions on the Good Citizen website

Smithsonian American Democracy Exhibit

Democracy Reignited Publication:

https://floridahumanities.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NIE_American_Democracy.pdf

I gave all participants copies of this publication (as well as copies of the US Constitution). You can download your copy using the link.

we had a Discussant for the presentation -- a Public Administration Professor - Dr. Aaron Ayeta Mulyanyuma  - who kicked off our discussion

speaking with the Center's staffer and PhD candidate Charles Tweheyo

One of the Centter's Researchers -- Patience Itah - her research focuses on the impact of the Fulbright Program in Uganda

We had such a robust exchange of ideas! 

Thanks to all the faculty and students who joined us for the America@250 event.

One-on-One Meetings with the Research Fellows at the Great Lakes Center for the Study of the United States at Makerere University -- Patience Itah -- the Impact of the Fulbright Program in Uganda

After the America@250: Opportunity for Civic Renewal in the US lecture, I was able to meet one-on-one with the Center Researcher who is studying the impact of the Fulbright Program in Uganda -- Patience Itah.

Part of Itah's research will involve interviewing Ugandans who studied and/or conducted research in the US as a part of the Fulbright Program to learn more about the impact of the Fulbrighters academic experience in the US on their home institutions in Uganda.

Next we are going to be meeting with representatives from the US Exchange Alumni Network. 

For more about the US Exchange Alumni are up to visit

https://drjsmafricanacademicadventures.blogspot.com/2025/11/meeting-with-president-of-us-exchange.html

https://ug.usembassy.gov/u-s-exchange-alumni-network-uganda-usea/

a visit to the doctor in Kampala: C-Care IMC Kololo

Prior to traveling to Uganda, I followed all of the US Center for Disease Contral (CDC) recommendations for travel - made sure I was up to date on the vaccines. (I was still current on Typhoid and Yellow Fever and polio and MMR boosters since my Zimbabwe trip last year). So this year I got pneumonia, flu, and meningitis vaccines. (There is a "meningitis belt" near my travel area.) I was angry that at the time I was getting my vaccines for this trip that it was not possible for me to get a Covid booster as well (after going to 3 pharmacy chains - all of which were awaiting the new booster shipment to arrive and/or awaiting guidance from HHS and from the state of Florida about who would be eligible for the booster). This year I got the vaccines at Wal-Mart.  Last year I had truly expert, helpful advice for the travel nurse for the trip to Zimbabwe from the Pinellas County Health Department (For more about our local international travel health resources, see https://pinellas.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/clinical-and-nutrition-services/immunizations/index.html)

In addition to the travel vaccines, I scheduled an appointment with my primary care physician (actually, my new primary care physician).  My doctor from our first 22 years in Florida retired, so this was an opportunity to meet my new doctor. My main objective was to secure the prescription for the malaria prophylaxis meds as well as a travel antibiotic. (One of the CDC recommendations was to travel with your own needle/suture kit, but we decided against that.) Last year I spent a lot of time reviewing and thinking about all the pros/cons/side effects/contraindications for the various kinds of malaria prophylaxis meds available.  This year I researched the malaria-resistant meds that should not be prescribed for Uganda.  Fortunately, the same malaria prophylaxis I had been prescribed for Zimbabwe worked for Uganda.  For this script - you start taking 2 days before travel - during travel - and 7 days after you return for 1x a day. (Thanks BayCare for taking good care of me in Florida!)

Also per the CDC recommendations, I brought quite a bit of over-the-counter meds as well (first aid kit, allergy meds, antidiarrheal, upset stomach, pain relievers, seasonal allergies, thermometer, etc.) - just to be sure that I had what I would need in the event of an emergency. (We lost everything in our medicine cabinets in the flooding of our home in Hurricane Helene last year - so I went ahead and bought all new supplies for this trip.)

For more about the CDC's recommendations for travel to Uganda see https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/uganda

In addition to the malaria meds, vaccines, and traveling with OTC meds, I also followed all the recommendations and protocols for avoiding bug bites - good deet bug spray that I applied morning and night, wearing only long sleeves and long pants, sprayed my clothes with permethrin before travel (also sprayed my socks, jackets, and the backpack I planned to carry on the trekking opportunities), hat, - and then avoiding certain colors for the tsetse fly (to avoid sleeping sickness) - so no blue or black).  (In fact - when we were trekking to see the rhinos in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, I asked what the blue/black contraptions that were hanging from many trees -- they were tsetse traps.  Here is a picture -

my guide explaining how the tsetse traps work

and you can also see more about the rhino trek on this blog post:

https://drjsmafricanacademicadventures.blogspot.com/2025/10/ziwa-rhino-and-wildlife-ranch-tracking.html

I also followed all the recommendations for maintaining gut health -- brushed my teeth with bottled water, avoided getting water in my eyes/ears/mouth during shower, no ice in my beverages, avoiding fresh fruits/vegetables that I didn't wash and peel myself, etc.

Yet somehow - with all of the preparation and preventive measures taken, I did get sick about halfway through my stay.

Despite the US Government shutdown, I did have an emergency contact at the US Embassy, who pointed me in the direction of an excellent medical urgent care clinic -- the C-Care IMC Kololo.

My colleagues at the Center drove me to the clinic (and then back to the hotel) and made sure that I got the care that I needed. (They have been amazing hosts in every way!!)  

After a few tests, the doctor was able to rule out anything serious. I was able to get appropriate meds at the pharmacy that was located in the clinic. Between the meds I got at the clinic and the OTC meds that I brought with me, I was feeling much better in about 24-36 hours.  Perhaps it was just something that I ate??  But - I just wanted to be sure that we nipped anything potentially serious in the bud.  (It was a Thursday afternoon, late in the day, that we went to the clinic. I didn't want to go into the weekend sick - and need attention when no one was available/open to assist.)

All this is to say, I am very grateful for the testing and for the excellent care that I received at the C-Care IMC Clinic in Kololo - and for colleagues at the US Embassy and my hosts at Makerere who made sure I was always safe.

For more about C-Care Kololo see https://c-care.com/ug/clinic/c-care-imc-kololo/

Also -- Kololo is a beautiful part of town that boasts many embassies -- as well as the Independence park and ceremonial grounds -- so I got to see something new on my way to/from the doctor.

See this blog post for more about the Honorable Betty Castor's participation in the first Ugandan Independence observation that took place in Kololo 

https://drjsmafricanacademicadventures.blogspot.com/2025/10/one-on-one-meetings-with-researchers.html

Upcoming Faculty Development Workshop: Incorporating Virtual Global Exchange in the Curriculum

 

Very much looking forward to this faculty development workshop on VGE next week. We'll be working with faculty to develop courses with a VGE component, linking their courses with faculty and students in the US.

Best part -- longtime collaborator Larisa Patlis (From ULIM in Moldova) will join us to talk about how her students benefitted from partnering with students in the USA.

Upcoming Lecture: America@250: Opportunity for Civic Renewal in the USA

I am looking forward to delivering the lecture "America@250: Opportunity for Civic Renewal" as a part of the Center's lecture series.

One-on-One Meetings with the Research Fellows at the Great Lakes Center for the Study of the United States at Makerere University -- Countering Violent Extremism in Uganda

There are six research fellows in the first cohort at the Center.

Currently the researchers are each working on drafts of their book chapters for an edited volume that will explore Relationality: Uganda and America Since 1945. 

In addition to the collegial research seminars 

(See this article https://chuss.mak.ac.ug/en/us-professor-judithanne-scourfield-mclauchlan-joins-makerere-to-advance-uganda-america-relational-studies/)

I am also meeting with the researchers one-on-one, with several days set aside for this collaboration.  On Friday, we needed to move our meetings to MS Teams, but this actually worked better, as we could "share screen" to review drafts and resources.

Pictured, meeting with Historians Dr. Charlotte Mafumbo and Dr. Jacqueline Nakaiza about their study of US efforts to combat violent extremism in Uganda.

One-on-One Meetings with Researchers -- connecting Prof Bernard Luwerakera with the Honorable Betty Castor

I have been meeting one-on-one with the first cohort of researchers at the Great Lakes Center for the Study of the United States, mentoring them on their projects.  Ultimately, each of these researchers is contributing a chapter to a co-edited volume about US-Uganda relations.

When meeting with Prof. Bernard Luwerakera -- who is researching the impact of the Peace Corps Program in Uganda -- I knew immediately that I wanted to connect him with the Honorable Betty Castor.

Before the Honorable Betty Castor  was the first woman elected to serve on the Hillsborough County Commission, elected State Senator in Florida (and President Pro Temp of the Florida Senate), the first woman  elected statewide in Florida (as the Florida Education Commissioner), the first woman President of the University of South Florida,  appointed by President Obama to serve on the national Fulbright Board, among many other professional accomplishments ---

Betty was appointed by President Kennedy to be a part of the official US delegation to attend Uganda's Independence celebration. When a college student she traveled to Uganda on a service trip that provided books and other support for schools. After graduation, Betty taught in Uganda for 2 years soon after the country's independence. AND while a teacher in Uganda, she led the first group of African girls to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro!! 

As Prof. Luwerkera is working on his project evaluating the impact of the Peace Corps - particularly as it relates to education - I was hoping that he could interview Betty as a part of his research.

I was so pleased that Betty made time to join us for an intro meeting with Prof. Bernard along with the director of the Center, Prof Edward Kaweesi.  

Thank you so very much, Betty, for contributing to this research project! And for your many contributions to the people of Uganda!

Also -- I asked Betty to send over some photos of her work in Uganda to include in this post