Democratic Education: Where people are not passive recipients of knowledge, but rather are active co-creators of their own learning

In December 2014, the UCR Academic Senate approved the offering of student-initiated courses, also known as R’Courses. These student-initiated courses designed by undergraduates and taken by other undergraduates at UCR are based on the idea of Democratic Education; creating a community of equals, upholding values such as social justice, respect, and active and engaging participation.

R’Courses support students’ efforts to develop leadership skills, to innovate the undergraduate curriculum, and to promote democratic, experiential education on campus. Students from any undergraduate degree program at UCR are invited to design and lead their own original courses.

These courses are 1 unit, S/NC offerings facilitated by UCR undergraduate students. Each course has a faculty instructor of record who provides mentoring and support behind the scenes. The Office of Engaged Learning works with the R’Course Governing Board to review R’Course proposals, coordinate course activities with academic departments, provide student facilitator training, and facilitate student recruitment.

For more information on leading a R'Course of your own, visit our Create a Course page.