Taught By:
Camila Vélez Agosto
PhD Student in Geography
Geology and Geography
West Virginia University
Read profile here.
Motivation to Teach Social Action:
Course Description:
The United Nations defines “sustainable development” as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” What might research that advances such an ambitious vision look like? In this class we will explore this question with concrete examples at the local, national, and international levels. We will learn about key research principles and practices with a purpose, namely, research that has a meaningful impact on communities insofar as they advance “sustainable development.” But as we will quickly learn, this project is not just about science in silos or academic research, it is about creating the political conditions that make this research and applications of its findings possible. As such, the core of this class will involve you learning about research principles and practices in the context of a social action campaign that articulates a demand, develops a plan, and actually takes steps to make a change. This component is so important, that we kick-start the class with brainstorming and choosing your campaign. Then, after the campaign has been launched, then we turn to deepen your training on research approaches and principles informed by and in conversation with your campaigns. Although this course is part of the Sustainability Studies curriculum of WVU’s Department of Geology and Geography, its social action model is part of a larger national initiative on social action across US university campuses that have already been offered and are being offered this term. There are dozens of classrooms in the nation also engaged in this exciting experiment. Talk about transformation in higher education! This is super exciting because not only will you be learning actionable skills relevant in pretty much any career setting; you will be joining a growing national network of peers.
