Learning Outcomes:
Students will…
- Analyze different forms of activism—such as protests, demonstrations, craftivism, social media campaigns, and sit-ins—and evaluate their effectiveness, impact, and limitations in driving social change.
- Engage with activists and campus leaders in a panel discussion on their personal experiences with student activism and social justice work.
- Learn the procedural steps for engaging in activism at Ithaca College and beyond, including understanding student rights, navigating institutional policies, and ensuring safety.
- Research a cause or movement that matters to them and develop a strategy for addressing the issue.
By the end of the Students for Change Coalition Retreat, students will be able to:
- Define the key components of successful activism, including identifying a cause, conducting research, building a coalition, creating SMART goals, and choosing the most effective methods for engaging with key stakeholders.
- Identify and describe a cause or issue of personal importance and develop a strategy for action.
- Critically evaluate various activism tools (e.g., social media campaigns, protests, town halls, fundraising, media storytelling) to assess their role and impact in movements for change.
- Set realistic goals and manage expectations for social justice initiatives, understanding the resources, time, and effort needed to create and sustain momentum.
- Develop strategies for building and sustaining long-term activist organizations or movements, including skills for forming clubs, fundraising, organizing events, and engaging members and allies effectively while practicing self-care.