ENACTing Change
A Handbook for Teaching Advocacy and Civic Engagement
9781684582839
9781684582914
Distributed for Brandeis University Press
ENACTing Change
A Handbook for Teaching Advocacy and Civic Engagement
Explains the ENACT model of student civic engagement, empowers instructors to implement it, and shows them how to assess its impact.
ENACT: The Educational Network for Active Civic Transformation aims to teach college students about democracy through engagement with the state legislative process. Built on the values of knowledge, cooperation, justice, and integrity, ENACT is a national, intercollegiate nonpartisan network. The program empowers students to be active participants in democratic processes by connecting with policymakers and community organizations, conducting research and analysis, and informing public policy with evidence and expertise.
ENACTing Change introduces teachers to the philosophy and practice of the ENACT model—which includes workshops, courses, an online network, as well as pilot projects and other initiatives—while providing detailed guidance on how to incorporate the model into their courses, regardless of discipline or educational settings. The book offers instructors recommendations for developing and teaching courses that engage in state-level policy advocacy with a focus on learning outcomes. ENACTing Change takes instructors through each step of the course design process, from how to build the relationships needed to teach the class to the next steps for students to work in the community after ENACT.
ENACT: The Educational Network for Active Civic Transformation aims to teach college students about democracy through engagement with the state legislative process. Built on the values of knowledge, cooperation, justice, and integrity, ENACT is a national, intercollegiate nonpartisan network. The program empowers students to be active participants in democratic processes by connecting with policymakers and community organizations, conducting research and analysis, and informing public policy with evidence and expertise.
ENACTing Change introduces teachers to the philosophy and practice of the ENACT model—which includes workshops, courses, an online network, as well as pilot projects and other initiatives—while providing detailed guidance on how to incorporate the model into their courses, regardless of discipline or educational settings. The book offers instructors recommendations for developing and teaching courses that engage in state-level policy advocacy with a focus on learning outcomes. ENACTing Change takes instructors through each step of the course design process, from how to build the relationships needed to teach the class to the next steps for students to work in the community after ENACT.
184 pages | 9 color plates | 6 x 9 | © 2025
Brandeis Series in Law and Society
Education: Education--Economics, Law, Politics, Higher Education
Political Science: Public Policy

Table of Contents
Foreword
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Teaching an ENACT Course
Chapter 3: Building Relationships at Your State Legislature
Chapter 4: Legislative Research
Chapter 5: Meeting with Legislators
Chapter 6: Engaging with the Public
Chapter 7: Life After ENACT
Chapter 8: Conclusion
Acknowledgements
Bibliography
Index
Author Biographies
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Teaching an ENACT Course
Chapter 3: Building Relationships at Your State Legislature
Chapter 4: Legislative Research
Chapter 5: Meeting with Legislators
Chapter 6: Engaging with the Public
Chapter 7: Life After ENACT
Chapter 8: Conclusion
Acknowledgements
Bibliography
Index
Author Biographies
Be the first to know
Get the latest updates on new releases, special offers, and media highlights when you subscribe to our email lists!