Taking an introductory course on American politics is one thing; being challenged to create, lead, and manage a get-out-the-vote organization that aims to triple voter turnout is quite another.

Learning about urban ills like poverty and violent crime is interesting; being given a chance to do problem-solving fieldwork and write a report on a youth violence reduction program—-a report that gets read by key City officials and influences their decision-making –-is more than “interesting.” 

Understanding theories about why government bureaucracy fails or malfunctions can be rewarding; being required to figure out precisely how particular government antipoverty programs like Food Stamps or the Earned Income Tax Credit actually get translated into action is far more rewarding, especially when the learning is harnessed to community service and shared with needy citizens who, in turn, benefit directly and tangibly.

Discovering “what works” to reduce diseases like malaria is fascinating; being equipped to do a joint research project that assesses how public and private money being spent for the purpose can yield still better public health outcomes is fascinatingly consequential. 

All the foregoing examples and dozens more are from the myriad leadership-focused courses that Fox has sponsored or co-sponsored. 

1. Leadership and Democracy (PSCI 132: DiIulio, Tierney, Brutsche, and Power)
2. American Politics and Leadership (PSCI 130: DiIulio, Power)
3. Ending Hunger in Philadelphia (GAFL 343: Tierney)
4. Religion, Nonprofit Leadership, and Public Policy (PSCI 240: DiIulio)
5. Developing Effective Community Serving Programs (GAFL 345: Tierney)
6. Healthy Schools: Community Based Participatory Research, Planning and Action (PSCI 335/GAFL 335/HSOC 335: Summers)
7. The Politics of Food and Agriculture (PSCI 135/GAFL 135/HSOC 135: Summers)
8. Bureaucracy, Politics and U.S. Public Administration (PSCI 298: DiIulio, Tierney)
9. Engagement and Elections (PSCI 244: DiIulio, Tierney, Brutsche, and Schiera