Brown Leadership Institute (Session 2) - Leadership and Social Justice

Leadership and Social Justice is a course designed to provide engaged students with the tools and theory needed to become successful change makers, activists, and community organizers. This course explores how grassroots movements can transform communities, cultural norms, and global systems. How are campaigns developed, initiated, and orchestrated? What factors determine a campaign's success or failure? How can one person turn a vision for change into reality? Students will engage in various hands-on workshops and simulations, such as identifying an issue, developing a realistic timeline, publicizing a campaign, engaging the press, catering to an audience, and choosing effective tactics. Through case studies on various movements such as pro-democracy, gender equity, labor rights and identity movements (LGBTQ, race, and immigration), students will learn strategies and skills for building and initiating a localized campaign. Students will enhance their leadership abilities and broaden their ideas of what is possible through readings, films, meetings with community activists and movement leaders, participation in workshops, role-plays, and activities. Participants will leave this course with an "insider" understanding of the evolution and anatomy of a social movement campaign and develop an Action Plan to bring to their home communities. Students already engaged in a campaign, students who are or hope to become activists, and students invested in social change are encouraged to join us. Please Note: This course is part of the Leadership Institute, a two-week academic program that helps students cultivate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes associated with effective and socially responsible leadership. This unique program consists of three integrated elements: academic content, leadership development, and the Action Plan. Our students are thoughtful and compassionate youth who are interested in social issues and creating positive change. Participants can look forward to full days in a community of engaged and curious learners. Application process includes: online application, essay, transcript, application fee. Accepted Pre-College students may apply for Dean’s Scholarships, awarded to students who demonstrate financial need and academic merit. Need is determined by considering several factors, including family income, family size, number of siblings in college, and housing expenses.