Civic Engagement at BSU

An approach to better understand the United States democratic experience from the early days of independence to the present.

Using short examples of events, personalities, documents, controversies and trivia, Simply Civics is designed to explain American politics and government in a way that is clear, concise and conversational. Simply Civics is part of Bridgewater State University’s commitment to civic education and civic engagement at a time when it is vitally important that citizens have a working knowledge and appreciation of the values, the vision and the policies that form the foundation of our democratic system.

Authored By Michael Kryzanek, Professor Emeritus of Political Science. 

During his years in the Political Science Department, he was the longest serving chairperson and helped launch the Master of Public Administration program. After leaving the Department in 2015 Dr. Kryzanek was appointed the Executive Director of the Minnock Center for International Engagement with responsibility for expanding the university’s global presence. From 2016-2019 Dr. Kryzanek was the Academic Director in the Public Management Institute for the U.S. State Department’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) that brought 25 Fellows to the campus as Mandela Fellows. He continues as a consultant for that program.

Currently, Dr. Kryzanek is participating in Bridgewater State’s Senior College where he teaches courses on American politics and government. Dr. Kryzanek received his Ph.D from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1975. He is the author of eight books on U.S. foreign policy, American government and comparative politics. His latest book, written with his daughter Dr. Ann Karreth, is 25 Issues That Shape American Politics: Debates, Differences and Divisions. Dr. Kryzanek is the board chair of Fr. Bill’s and Mainspring, the largest homeless organization on the South Shore and President of the Rotary Club of the Bridgewaters. He lives in Whitman with his wife Carol. They have three daughters and five grandchildren.