Teaching for Activism

John Freie (Political Science)

            Teaching about issues of social and economic injustice is only the first step for civic educators. If we hope to create socially active students and, upon graduation, socially active citizens, activism must become a habit. The classroom is an ideal setting for doing this, but to do so requires that classes be carefully structured to develop skills and dispositions consistent with activism. I will identify and discuss a number of pedagogical guidelines and strategies that can be used to encourage activism both inside as well as outside of the classroom.