PPOL 898 (01) - Public Engagement in Communities

PPOL 898 (01) - Public Engagement in Communities

Public Engagement

Durham Liberal Arts::Public Policy
Online Course Delivery Method: Hybrid / Blended
Credits: 3.0
Class Size: 20 
Term:  Summer 2026 - Summer Session I (05/18/2026 - 06/19/2026)
CRN:  70807
Grade Mode:  Letter Grading
Special Fees: $150.00
Syllabus:  Syllabus_PPOL898_PublicEngagementCommunities_CarseyEngagementLab_2026.pdf
Community engagement in research and practice requires listening and facilitating challenging dialogues. Community engagement work requires managing resources effectively and responsibly. This often means that people working on complex public challenges must involve, collaborate with, and empower stakeholders and community groups to develop solutions across differing perspectives. In public life and with responsibility for and with the public, we need knowledge and skills necessary for addressing inequities and discrimination in decision-making. This course provides a foundation for students from various disciplines to develop a fundamental understanding of the theory and practice of public engagement in communities.
Registration Approval Required. Contact Instructor or Academic Department for permission then register through Webcat.
Only listed majors in section: COM DEV PLC PRT:: Community Development Policy and Practice||COM DEV PLC PRT:: Community Development Policy and Practice||COM DEV PP EXE:: Community Development Policy and Practice||ED EDUC STUDIES:: Educational Studies||EDUCATION EDD:: Education||GEOSCIENCE CERT:: Geospatial Science||GEOSPATIAL SCI:: Geospatial Science||GLB CON HMN SEC:: Global Conflict and Human Security||NATURAL RES ENV:: Natural Resources and the Environment||NREN:ECO SCI:: Natural Resources: Ecosystem Science||NREN:ENV CON ST:: Natural Resources: Environmental Conservation and Sustainability||NREN:ENVIRN ECN:: Natural Resources: Environmental Economics||NREN:FORESTRY:: Natural Resources: Forestry||NREN:WILD BIO:: Natural Resources: Wildlife and Conservation Biology||NRESS:ENSCIENCE:: Earth and Environmental Sciences||NRESS:ENSTUDIES:: Natural Resources and Environmental Studies||PUBLIC ADMIN:: Public Administration||PUBLIC ADMIN EX:: Public Administration||PUBLIC POLCY AN:: Public Policy||PUBLIC POLICY:: Public Policy||PUBLIC POLICYLW:: Public Policy
Instructors:  Carrie Portrie

Times & Locations

Start Date End Date Days Time Location
5/18/2026 5/22/2026 Hours Arranged OFFCMP TBD
5/23/2026 6/19/2026 Hours Arranged ONLINE

Additional Course Details:

The 5-week Carsey School Engagement Lab + the course PPOL 898: Public Engagement in Communities is designed for people who care about building stronger, more connected communities. This isn’t just a course—it’s a chance to meet others who share your passion for making a difference and to explore practical ways to bring people together across differences. 

NOTE: The course if for students who are currently working and are advanced beyond a semester in their graduate level program — Doctoral level or Masters Level. It is a highly engaged course. This course is also for working professionals who want to build the engagement skills as continuing education. 

Please contact Carrie.Portrie@unh.edu for permission if you are unable to enroll directly. 

Here’s what you can expect:

  • Learn and practice strategies for public engagement and collaboration.
  • Connect with community leaders and peers committed to civic life.
  • Experience field trips that bring theory to life—exploring public health, local history, and creative maker spaces.

Course Details:

  • Online Orientation: May 12, 6-7pm (EST), mark your calendar
  • Start Date: May 18, 2026
  • Format: Online and In-Person (Durham, NH)
    • In-Person Week: May 18–21: We’ll travel together during the in-person week, and lodging will be available through a local hotel room block. (See Syllabus)
    • Synchronous online sessions: are June 3 and June 17 from 5-7pm (EST), mark your calendar.
  • End Date: June 19, 2026

If this sounds like something you’d love to be part of, please speak with your advisor and then register for PPOL 898 (3 credits).

If you have any questions or would like to talk through the details, feel free to email me at Carrie.Portrie@unh.edu.

More details are available on the syllabus and on this flyer. 

All materials for our 5-weeks together will be posted in MyCourses. 

Purchase:

I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times by Mónica Guzmán https://www.moniguzman.com/book

Accessible Online for Free:

Local civic health: A guide to building community and bridging divides produced by the Carsey School of Public Policy. https://carsey.unh.edu/research/local-civic-health-guide.

Shadows Fall North. This film may be viewed in full at https://vimeo.com/194591588. A password will be provided.