Michigan State ‘25 Institute on Teaching Social Action

This two-day, in-person institute at Michigan State University will introduce faculty and teaching staff to an experiential learning approach for incorporating social action campaigns into either a semester-long course or co-curricular workshop series. In this transformative experiential learning model, students develop and launch a social action campaign of their choosing during the semester the course is taught.

The student campaigns seek to change a rule, regulation, norm, or practice of an institution, whether on campus or in the community. While not all of the student campaigns are successful, many have been and those that haven’t succeeded have still taught valuable lessons to those who led them and those who were engaged in one form or another.

Our long-term goal is to mainstream this model for teaching active democracy. The world needs more people who have developed their knowledge and skills in bringing about positive change through real world experience.

Note: we ask that attendees fully participate in our community of practice by making the following commitments.

Host

Sacha Klein

Department of Social Work

Michigan State University

kleinsa@msu.edu

Sacha Klein’s Social Action Courses

• An Overview of Teaching Social Action
• Organizing Your Class
• Issue Development & Choosing Campaigns
• Change Theory & Building Power

• Research & Group Dynamics
• Strategy & Tactics
• Campaign Kick-Off
• Campaign Plan & Evaluation