Introduction
Chapter 1 — Social Action: An Overview
Social Action’s Role & US College Social Action
Chapter 2 — Developing a Social Action Class
Course vs Co-Curricular & Prerequisites
Creating a Social Action Syllabus
Teaching Style & Classroom Norms
Role of Place & Each Semester v Every Year
Chapter 3 — Teaching Social Action (TSA) Model
Chapter 4 — Where Do We Go From Here?
When Scott wrote this book in 2022, he was still teaching at San Jose State. However, at the end of Spring 2023, Scott retired from this faculty position in order to direct Teaching Social Action. Here is what Scott wrote at the end of 2023:
I retired from SJSU in the Spring of 2023, and from what I know, most of the student campaigns discussed in the book have ceased. Interestingly, the new SJSU President, who came in a few months before I retired, did work to enact some of the demands that were won by the Student Homeless Alliance. For example, the Administration is making it easier to get the emergency beds. Previously, the University had put up many roadblocks to obtain them (e.g., asking students to maximize their student loans, having them be full-time students, etc). Now, these restrictions have seemed to end, and more students who are houseless are using the emergency beds. Both the former President of SHA and myself (the faculty advisor) have met with the new President to encourage her to implement the demands.
This is a key point: just because you win a demand doesn't mean it will get implemented. SHA had to work another three-years to enforce the agreement that the University signed with them.
Below is an image of the Student Homeless Alliance:
In early December of 2023, one of the demands from Students Against Mass Incarceration was passed by the County Board of Supervisors. If you look closely at the sign on the podium, you will see the demand that was won: a phone number to mental health services that goes straight to mental health providers rather than the police first, and then to be transferred.
Status of Current Campaigns (USA and World)
In the spring of 2024, there were over 40 student campaigns occurring, and for the fall of 2024, TSA expects there to be over 100 student campaigns. To see updates on these current campaigns, click here and then click on the various student campaigns list for each semester from Spring 2024 up to Spring 2026. If you look to the bottom right, you will see “Victories”. Click on that to see the student campaigns that have won their demands.
Question
- What is your reaction to the student victories and campaigns of the social action students.