Editor

NEW COLLEGE OF CALIFORNIA SEEKING TO BECOME A “MOVEMENT SCHOOL” ANNOUNCES THE CREATION OF ACADEMIC PROGRAMS TO EDUCATE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ACTIVISTS

The tradition of the “Movement School” – educational institutions designing their curricula according to the needs of movements for social justice - has its most famous U.S. example located in the mountains of eastern Tennessee – the Highlander Folk School – which trained activists for the labor movement in the 30’s, the civil rights movement in the 50’s and 60’s and later for the environmental and global justice movements. Now - with the threat of an unpopular war, decreased civil liberties, spreading corporate globalization and environmental destruction - a small, accredited college in San Francisco, the New College of California, is attempting to do the same.

New College of California, since 1971, has been a fully accredited institution of higher learning dedicated to integrating education and progressive social change. Each of our academic programs from the study of the Arts to Latin American Studies to Ecology and Poetics, as well as our professional Law, Clinical Psychology, and Teacher Credential Programs have held that perspective. Yet, we have never created an academic program, at the undergraduate or graduate level, with the explicit goal of creating reflective practitioners of activism.

We are now ready to do this and are announcing the creation of BA and MA Programs in Activism and Social Change through our School of Humanities in collaboration with the Center for Education and Social Action at New College. These programs will integrate these activities:

<sum> teaching of critical social theory (what are society’s problems and how did we produce them), with
<sum> history and analysis of social movements (what activisms have occurred and what has worked),
<sum> activist skills training done by practicing activists ( learning how to do what is necessary ) and
<sum> through practical, experiential BA or MA theses/projects, involving internships with local and/or global activist organizations, students will develop concentrated learning in specific areas such as media activism, environmental justice, healthcare, housing and homeless advocacy, human rights, peace activism, etc. which will enable them to MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

As co-curriculum, New College’s Activism and Social Change Program weekly film series is open to students and the public throughout the year. Showing documentaries about social and environmental problems, activism and social movements, the series provides an important addition to students' academic work. Also, the Center for Education and Social Action (CESA) regularly offers public events, conferences, and teach-ins on crucial issues facing activists today. Open to students and the public, CESA events have featured important speakers like Helen Caldicott, Jim Hightower, Ward Churchill, Juan Gonzales, and Phyllis Bennis; progressive local leaders including Chris Daly, Sophie Maxwell, and Tom Ammiano; KPFA Radio hosts Dennis Bernstein, Kris Welch, Larry Bensky, and Andrea Lewis; and much more.

Students will then use their activism training to support and create social change to bring a more just, sacred and sustainable world into being by starting activist projects of their own, or by working in the growing progressive non-profit/ non-governmental organization world, teaching other activists or by helping to make their existing workplaces more progressive and activist.

For more information contact: Michael McAvoy, MA

Dean, School of Humanities

415.437.3465

mmcavoy [at] newcollege.edu