This document summarizes a presentation about integrating social justice and activism into the college classroom at Northland College. It discusses how Northland incorporates social responsibility into its curriculum through classes and co-curricular activities that involve community service projects. Examples are given of projects students have completed in classes on water quality, social responsibility, and gender studies that addressed local issues. Student groups also carry out extracurricular projects inspired by academics. The benefits and challenges of classroom activism are reviewed, and recommendations are provided for implementing similar initiatives at other schools.
1. Think differently. Live differently. Creating Social Responsibility, Social Justice, and Activism in the College Classroom. Presenters: Professor Stacie R. Furia Stevie Blanchard Ashleigh Miller
3. Mission: Northland College integrates liberal arts studies with an environmental emphasis, enabling those it serves to address the challenges of the future. Founded: 1892 and went green in 1971. Enrollment: Northland College enrolls 600 students from 42 states and a dozen countries
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5. Ashland, WI Situated in northern WI on the south shore of Lake Superior Population 8,620 Past Industry: Logging, Mining Current Industry: Tourism
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7. Overview of Social Justice related curriculum at Northland College Professor Stacie R. Furia
12. Student Experiences of Activism towards Social Justice Stevie Blanchard and Ashleigh Miller
13. Discussing Campus Activism Topics We’ll Address Co-Curricular FYE In Class Chemistry of Natural Waters Intro to Social Responsibility Advanced Justice Studies Extracurricular NCSA Art League Theme Houses Environmental Council How We’ll Address them Overview of the project Associated class or organization Social Justice Who What How Outcomes
14. Why community service in the classroom is important. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WgrD9ArGY0
15. Preparing Students to be socially responsible adults A co-curricular introduction to academic and non-academic life (FYE)
45. Benefits of Classroom Activism “Participation in activism as a class project allows me to feel like I can do something to better the world when I often feel that I do not have time [otherwise] as a full time student.” Empowers students Builds hope Creates a relationship with the community Gives students skills necessary for creating social change
46. Challenges of Classroom Activism “Doing activism is great, I think it is an important part of my learning. But, it takes up a lot of time, and it’s hard to commit to a project.” Limits time focused on theory Difficult to get students to connect theory to practice (activism) Large time commitment necessary for success Tricky to balance demands of an activism project with other class work
48. Making Social Justice Initiatives Work Recommendations Require student groups to do community service hours Large time commitment from professor Better for smaller classes Better in thematic courses (non-intro) Do activism in classes that focus on inequality and social problems Let Student’s Choose their cause Reasons Create group cohesion, connection with community Keeps students on track and motivated More time for discussion Students have common interests To help empower students and avoid overwhelming them Keeps students committed to the project