Motivation to Teach Social Action:
I am deeply interested in participating in this course development program because it aligns with my long-standing commitment to teaching social justice and community change through experiential and applied learning models. The opportunity to design a course or co-curricular experience where students not only learn about social change but actively engage in it—by organizing and implementing their own campaigns—represents a powerful pedagogical model that I’m eager to integrate into my work. As someone who currently oversees the Community Action and Social Change (CASC) minor at the University of Michigan, I see firsthand how transformative it is for students to move from theory to action. This institute provides the structure, tools, and community of practice necessary to enhance that transformation. I'm particularly drawn to the way this model centers student agency while promoting real-world democratic participation and social impact.
Course Description:
This foundation course is designed to prepare students to be informed and active participants in the process of community building and social change. Using a multidisciplinary framework, students explore community practice models, develop a toolkit for ethical and strengths-based organizing, and engage with social movements locally and globally.
The course supports students in identifying and implementing steps toward social change, with an emphasis on leveraging power, critical consciousness, and community partnerships.
Taught By:
Abigail Eiler
Clinical Associate Professor, Director of Undergraduate Education Programs
School of Social Work
University of Michigan School of Social Work
Read profile here.