The Arc of Citizenship Bends Toward Justice when We Work Alongside Communities

This webinar provides participants with ideas and resources to work alongside community organizations in mutually beneficial and reciprocal partnerships to deepen community-engaged civic learning. Participants will learn about our educational initiatives and community experiential learning programs that focus on redressing racial and socioeconomic inequities. Presenters will highlight the development and implementation of partnerships between James Madison University and local civic actors and community organizations in the broader Shenandoah Valley on programming, including: experiential learning tours of key sites related to slavery and the ongoing struggle for freedom and rights, and the contributions of social justice movements to American society and democracy; ensuring a complete count in the 2020 Census; education and mobilization for full participation in elections; and equitable responses to community needs during the COVID-19 crisis. Participants will be guided through a design thinking based idea generation and solutions development process to identify how faculty, staff, students and community partners can work together to identify area-specific needs and connect service with political learning to address racial and socioeconomic injustices and inequities while developing an appreciation for the contributions of traditionally marginalized groups to society and democracy. The workshop will offer strategies for building relationships with community organizations and for developing initiatives that provide individuals opportunities to develop and practice civic skills. Presenters will emphasize using discussion-based pedagogy to bridge divides on race and class issues, and to synthesize content knowledge with real world experiences and action.

Speakers:  Jamie Williams, Carah Ong Whaley