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

2. An Introduction to Northland The environmental liberal arts college

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

5. Ashland, WI Situated in northern WI on the south shore of Lake Superior Population 8,620 Past Industry: Logging, Mining Current Industry: Tourism

7. Overview of Social Justice related curriculum at Northland College Professor Stacie R. Furia

8. Social Justice for Course Credit

9. Social Justice for Course Credit

10. Social Justice Outside the Classroom

11. Social Justice Outside the Classroom

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)

16. First Year Experience (FYE)

17. First Year Experience (FYE)

18. Activism and Community service in the classroom Examples of Activism Projects Created in Courses on Campus

19. “Water Quality in the Bad River Watershed”Chemistry of Natural Waters

20. Marengo River NC 2 Billy Creek Silver Creek NC 1 County C Billy Creek Trout Brook NC 3 NC 4 NC 2

22. “Growing Connections”Libral Education Curriculum

23. “Growing Connections”Libral Education Curriculum

24. “The Backyard Garden Initiative”Intro to Social Responsibility

25. “The Backyard Garden Initiative”Intro to Social Responsibility

26. “The Backyard Garden Initiative”Intro to Social Responsibility

27. “The Backyard Garden Initiative”Intro to Social Responsibility

28. Why we have a community garden. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iblk7_OnYYk

29. “Dress for Work”Introduction to Social Responsibility

30. “Dress for Work”Introduction to Social Responsibility

31. “Take Back the Halls: Anti-Bullying Campaign”Advanced Justice Studies

32. “Bullied” The importance of anti-bulling in the Ashland community http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpCvGRFV9TY

33. “Take Back the Halls: Anti-Bullying Campaign”Advanced Justice Studies

34. Extracurricular Activism and Service projects Inspired by academics, brought to life in clubs

35. Northland College Student Association (NCSA)

36. Northland College Student Association (NCSA)

37. Combined Effort of NCSA and May Term Class http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyRFUzWcoxg

38. “Student Vending Initiative”NCSA

39. “Empty Bowl”Art League

40. “Empty Bowl”Art League

41. “Below the Belt” Gender and Women’s Studies Theme House

42. “Community Bike Shop”Environmental Council

43. “Community Bike Shop”Environmental Council

44. Benefits and challenges of campus based activism

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

47. Our Recommendations for implementing activism towards social justice on your campus

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

49. Questions? Thank you for your time.