Session 1: Justice-Oriented Learning Frameworks
Getting to know the room, what motivates each of us to help build a better world, and the individual histories and perspectives we bring to the conversation and struggle. Identifying current events/topics that are critical for approach and discussion, as well as wrestling with questions of how to build justice-oriented frameworks for learnings.
Session 2: Storytelling as a Theory of Change
Exploring the spectrum of support and identifying various theories of change and discussions of how different strategies and tactics within those theories of change can move people along the spectrum of support. There will be a particular emphasis on storytelling as a theory of change (as this will be part of a end-of-class project).
Session 3: The Power of the People
We've been consistently told and taught that change happens because of a small number of individuals, but we know that's far from the truth. In this session we explore organizations and movements that were successful because they were built around the fact that every person can contribute and help win justice and change, and that movements fail when they are centered only around leaders. This session will have a specific focus on the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
Session 4: To Take One Life Is to Kill an Entire World
Exploring faith-based understandings of justice in relation to movements working for change around current events. Looking at how teachings from various faiths have become integral in justice-oriented movements—while simultaneously being weaponized by oppressive movements
Session 5: Radical Formations for Justice
Discussions of movement groups like the Black Panthers, ACT UP, Occupy, Sunrise, among others, and the histories of their organizations/movements and how they developed their justice frameworks.
Session 6: Commitment
The final session of our series is where class attendees will present their ideas and plans for a justice-related storytelling project. The final class will also focus on what it means to make sure we are dedicated to justice work and learning for our entire lives
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