A Call to Action

Fall 2010

A Call to Action

Instructor

Ellen Hill (click to learn more about Ellen)

Course Overview

Throughout human history, powerless groups of people have organized social movements to try to improve their lives and the society in which they lived. Powerful groups and institutions have generally resisted these efforts in order to maintain their own privilege. Although inequalities of power and privilege have always existed, and while protest activity is a constant part of our political history, some periods of history are more likely than others to spawn protest movements. In recent American history, we think of the 1930s and the 1960s in this way. Will there soon be another period of significant protest?

"A Call to Action" explores student activism around the world and the American civil rights movement,  as well as strategies for active citizenship. In addition to class discussion, readings, and films, there will be guest speakers and extended classroom experiences. Students will have the opportunity to conduct interviews with local or regional residents who are involved in grassroots, statewide, national and global change-making initiatives.

Through readings, videos, guest speakers, assignments, participation, and reflection, we will look at our ability to respect multiple perspectives and learn tools to become active participants in our society.  It is my hope that through this course you will see your connection to the larger community and how you can connect with the JSC community, your local community and learn tools to become a life-long change-agent.

Join A Call to Action to learn tools to steps in action and how to activate your activism! Together, we can make a world of difference.

 

 

  • Selected 2009 Call to Action Class Speakers

Sheryl Rapée-Adams, Field Director, Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force (Focus of talk- The Path Towards Marriage Equality)

Zaharom Nain, Fulbright Scholar

Mary Atherton, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer/ Namibia

Moustafa Bayoumi, Author of the 2009 JSC Common Book, How Does it Feel to be a Problem?

An Overview of the Class Service Project

Signs for the hikeBreak Away— Morrisville, October 16-17, 2009

Twelve students participated in an Alternative Weekend that met our goal to “drive less, serve more.” Break Away Morrisville included the Hike for Hunger and the Lamoille Firewood Project delivering firewood to local residents.  This alternative weekend is the JSC’s 98th alternative break and brings the to tal number of participants since 1990 to 955!

HikingHike for Hunger — Benefiting the VT Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, approximately 50 people participated in Hike for Hunger. JSC partnered with Laraway Youth and Family Services. We met at the Legion Field next to LYFS and student leaders Jasmine Yuris and James Dempsey offered a rich educational component to bring to light the issue of food insecurity in Vermont. October was Hike for Hunger month and over 40 schools and businesses hiked and raised over $30,000 for the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger. Thanks to these Vermonters, the Hike for Hunger sends a strong and clear message to Montpelier that support for 3SquaresVT (formerly food stamps), summer food sites, and free and reduced breakfast and lunch programs are integral for the health of families on a tight budget. This year, the money raised through the Hike will directly fund the grocery costs of the Campaign’s Cooking for Life nutrition education series in 2010.

Loading firewoodLamoille Firewood Project — Benefiting local residents who are income-eligible, the class worked with partners from The Volunteer Center of Lamoille Valley, The Family Center, United Way, and Cady's Falls Nursery. Together we delivered 5 cord of dry firewood to homes in Wolcott, Morrisville, and Hardwick. This project is particularly noteworthy, due to the magnitude of volunteers who have cut, split and stacked over 60 cord of wood this autumn. Volunteers come from recipients of the firewood, local Guards, business people, the faith community, and JSC students. Special note— the class stayed at River Arts in Morrisville over the weekend. This venue was perfect for the group to make an amazing Mexican dinner, bond, play games, and get a change from campus.