CHANGE!: A Guide to Teaching Social Action

This course explores the history of college social action, provides guidance on starting a social action class, and teaches students how to choose, launch, and evaluate campaigns. It also encourages students to persist in their social action efforts beyond college.

Format: Hardback
Length: 174 pages
Publication date: 24 February 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

College social action has a rich history, spanning from the early days of student activism to the present day. This essay explores the key considerations that need to be taken into account before starting a social action class, as well as the process that students follow to choose their campaigns, launch them, plan, implement, and evaluate them. Additionally, the essay provides guidance to students on how to persist in their social action efforts beyond college, either by re-activating a campaign from a previous year or joining a community campaign.

College social action has a rich history, spanning from the early days of student activism to the present day. This essay explores the key considerations that need to be taken into account before starting a social action class, as well as the process that students follow to choose their campaigns, launch them, plan, implement, and evaluate them. Additionally, the essay provides guidance to students on how to persist in their social action efforts beyond college, either by re-activating a campaign from a previous year or joining a community campaign beyond college.

The history of college social action can be traced back to the 19th century, when students began to organize for social change on campus. In the early days, student activism was primarily focused on issues such as labor rights, women's rights, and racial equality. However, as time went on, college social action expanded to include a wide range of issues, such as environmental sustainability, poverty, and human rights.

One of the key considerations that need to be taken into account before starting a social action class is the purpose of the class. The purpose of the class should be clear and specific, and it should be aligned with the goals and values of the institution. Additionally, the class should be designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to effectively engage in social action.

Another important consideration is the target audience of the class. The target audience should be diverse and inclusive, and it should include students from a range of backgrounds and experiences. This will ensure that the class is relevant to the needs and interests of the students, and it will also help to promote diversity and inclusion on campus.

Once the purpose and target audience of the class have been determined, the next step is to choose a social action campaign. Students should choose a campaign that is relevant to their interests and values, and that has a clear and achievable goal. The campaign should also be feasible within the time and resources available to the students.

Once the campaign has been chosen, the next step is to launch it. This involves developing a plan for the campaign, including a timeline for implementation, a budget, and a list of resources and support. Students should also develop a communication strategy for the campaign, which should include a mix of social media, traditional media, and face-to-face engagement.

Once the campaign has been launched, the next step is to plan, implement, and evaluate it. This involves monitoring the progress of the campaign, collecting data and feedback, and making adjustments as needed. Students should also evaluate the impact of the campaign on the target audience and the broader community, and make adjustments as needed.

Finally, students should consider how to persist in their social action efforts beyond college. This may involve re-activating a campaign from a previous year or joining a community campaign beyond college. Students should also consider how to build a network of support and resources to continue their social action work.

In conclusion, college social action has a rich history, and it has the potential to make a significant impact on the broader community. However, starting a social action class requires careful consideration of the purpose, target audience, and campaign. By taking the time to carefully consider these factors, students can develop a social action campaign that is relevant, achievable, and sustainable, and that has the potential to make a significant impact on the world.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032146119