Power and Social Change: Approaches to Collective Liberation

The rationale of this course is to engage the interdependence of personal and collective power in contributing to social change movements, leadership, and liberation.  The course will explore specific approaches to social change through various perspectives of community, contention, and collaboration, as well as the mythologies that are perpetuated by interlocking systems of domination. Participants will have the opportunity to develop their relationship to power and social change by: studying political movements and leadership; working with concrete tools; reflecting upon the wisdom of spiritual and secular sources; and collaborating in the cultivation of community, group equity, and shared power. Students will be expected to complete readings, evaluations, reflections, and a final project that contributes to the collective wisdom of the class.