Images of Women

Activism Project

We will spend a good deal of time this semester exploring some of the challenges our society still faces in its struggle to establish equal opportunities for all people.All this talk of problems can be dispiriting, which is why I created this activism unit.In whatever size group you choose (you can do this alone or with one or ten other people from our class), you need to design and carry out some sort of activist project to bring the issues we’re discussing this semester to the larger campus community and/or to address some of the problems we’ve examined.

You may design your project in whatever way you choose, but be aware that a small project that might earn an A for one person (i.e. hanging informative posters around campus) might not merit the same grade if it’s split among several people.Design the project based on the number of people involved.Be creative.Think about a need that hasn’t been met or a population that hasn’t been served.I encourage you to start thinking about this now rather than waiting until the last minute, because you know you’ll already be crazy with work by the end of the semester.

You need to document your work (take pictures or notes on what you do, videotape yourselves, whatever) and provide me with a group portfolio of your project, including an individual written self-assessment from each member of the group.As part of this portfolio, tell me how and why you decided to do this particular project, how you knew that this work was needed or would be useful, and, if applicable, how you divided up the work.Each group will make a brief presentation to the class during our last week.

Dates to know:

Oct. 30:Proposal due—names of group members, rough idea of project

Dec. 4:You must have your project completed, and you must turn in your portfolio on the day your group presents to the class.

Each group member’s grade will be based on the need for the project, how effectively it was carried out, how well the work was divided among group members, and the quality of your portfolio and your individual assessment.

If you have any problems or concerns, come talk to me.I want this project to be exciting, not agonizing, so if you find yourself in despair, please let me help.