I'm a Harvard Student and our Whackadoodle challenge is on
We’ve started our Harvard civics challenge—join us on the journey.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
— Nelson Mandela, Speech at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, July 16, 2003
She leaned over my shoulder just as I hit “Enroll.”
“So,” she said. “It’s real.”
I looked up at her, caught between excitement and the sheepish relief that comes from finally doing something you meant to do weeks ago. “It’s real,” I confirmed. “We’re officially registered for our first Harvard class.”
Her eyes widened, but only a little. She had seen this moment coming.
I reminded her of the post we wrote a while back—the one where we invited readers to join us in taking Harvard’s free online civics class. I told her how one of our subscribers had written back to say they were in, that they’d accepted the challenge, that they were going to take the course with us!
And that meant it was time for us to stop talking about it like a good idea and actually sign up.
She nodded slowly, like she understood more than I’d said. “So…we’re doing it now because someone else said yes?”
“Exactly,” I said. “There’s something about saying yes out loud, isn’t there? Making a commitment—especially one that someone else hears—turns an idea into something you actually do. It stops being a wish and becomes a plan. That little bit of urgency can be the difference.”
She nodded again, already sliding into the seat next to me.
The course is called We the People: Civic Engagement in a Constitutional Democracy. It’s free, self-paced, and taught by Meira Levinson, a Harvard professor who also happens to be a former middle school teacher. The platform says you can expect to spend about 2–3 hours a week for nine weeks, and it’s designed to help people understand how democracy works and how to participate in civic life—not just in theory, but in real, practical ways.
“It didn’t take long to register,” I told her. “Maybe two minutes. And just like that, we’re in.”
She raised her eyebrows. “So now what?”
“Now we start. We both dig into the first lesson later today. And if anyone else wants to join us, now’s a perfect time. Here’s the link,” I pointed to my screen. “In case they’re ready to stop thinking someday and start thinking now.”
👉 https://pll.harvard.edu/course/we-people-civic-engagement-constitutional-democracy
She tilted her head and smiled. “You know, this makes it feel kind of urgent. In a good way. Like we’re doing something that matters.”
I smiled back. “We are.”
She glanced back at the screen. “Wait. So, I’m enrolled too, right?”
“Of course,” I said. “We’re doing this together.”
She blinked. “So that means…” Her voice trailed off, but a grin was already spreading across her face. “I'm a Harvard student?”
“Well…in the extension-school, online-course, non-credit, still-in-my-pajamas kind of way,” I said.
She stood up suddenly. “I don’t know why, but I feel smarter already.” And with that, she began circling the table in a one-girl conga line, chanting, “I’m a Harvard student. I’m a Harvard student.”
So, I did what any respectable 63-year-old would do. I got up and joined her. “We are Harvard students!” We looped around the dining table once, twice, laughing now, waving our imaginary diplomas in the air.
It wasn’t dignified. But it was fun. And it felt like the beginning of something good.
🔔 What We’re Doing and How to Join Us
We’ve officially enrolled in Harvard’s free online course:
Civic Engagement in a Constitutional Democracy
🗓️ Duration: 8 weeks
⏳ Time commitment: 2–4 hours per week
💻 Platform: Harvard's online learning portal
💵 Cost: Free
📝 This week:
We’re watching the first lesson and doing the accompanying reading and reflection questions. If you want to stay roughly in sync with us, aim to complete Week 1 by next Sunday. (Not this Sunday, next Sunday, June 29)
📚 How to join us:
Click this link: 👉 We the People: Civic Engagement in a Constitutional Democracy – Harvard Online
Hit Audit Course, located towards the bottom of the page. (You’ll be prompted to create a free account if you don’t already have one)
You’re in! No deadlines, no grades—just you, your curiosity, and the chance to think deeply about how democracy actually works.
Don’t forget to bookmark the course page — you’re going to want to return to it again and again.
💬 Want to go deeper?
We’ll be reflecting on what we learn here on Navigating a Whackadoodle World.
I may post light discussion prompts or questions in upcoming newsletters. I will undoubtedly post any new insight I have. If enough folks join in, we’ll consider doing a live discussion or group chat every couple of weeks.
Why now?
Because someday turns into never—unless we put something on the calendar. We’ve made the commitment. A few of you have already agreed to join us. So, let’s go learn something together.
Until next time, happy navigating.
—Miss Lynn, Et al.