Motivation for Teaching Social Action:
As an undergraduate social work professor, I teach several courses that provide students with introductory concepts of social justice, policy practice, and advocacy. In these courses, I see students get excited about these concepts and crave an outlet to apply their learning. I have also observed students utilize their hypothetical course projects into real opportunities to effect change outside of theoretical conversation. I want to develop an elective social action course for students. This course will be geared toward students interested in mezzo and macro work, applying these principles into action and creating social justice projects that can actually be implemented. It will also provide course credit for the impactful advocacy work many students are already seeking out.
Course Description:
This elective course empowers social work students to transform their passion for social justice into tangible action. Building upon foundational concepts of social justice, policy practice, and advocacy, this course offers an experiential learning opportunity where students engage directly in the process of social change. Students will identify, develop, and launch social change campaigns aimed at influencing social justice on campus or within the broader community.
Through hands-on experience, students will explore the dynamics of social action, learning how everyday people can collectively harness their power to effect meaningful policy changes. Whether creating a new campaign or partnering with an existing community organization, students will gain the skills and confidence to advocate for change and contribute to the fight for social justice in real-world settings.
This course is particularly suited for those interested in mezzo and macro social work, offering a practical outlet for students eager to apply their academic learning to make a real world impact.
Taught By:
Jenny Tanis
Assistant Professor of Social Work
Sociology and Social Work Department
Hope College
Read profile here.