ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces overarching conceptual frameworks for these civic-rich capstones and two in-depth institutional case studies to illustrate how public-facing, justice-oriented capstone courses can serve as touchstones for educating for democracy, even as they hone disciplinary skills that serve graduates well in the workplace. Students experiences in public-facing capstones also will be collaborative, reflective, and public. Civic Prompts involved departments from 270 institutions that participated in a range of projects from national calls for examples and minigrants to participation in institutes and webinars to the production of online case studies and publications. Public-facing civic capstones serve as strategic locations for the production of future civic professionals able to demonstrate mastery of an area of study and an understanding of how work 'demands accountability and responsibility on the part of the professional toward the larger public'. To support the democratic aims, the capstones are designed to be public, collaborative, and reflective.
