Slacktivist or activist? Bystander or upstander? Positive social change requires involvement and commitment. After reading a series of articles about young people who chose to get involved, scholars examine a framework that helps peers develop strategies for meaningful civic participation.

Concepts

civic duty, american democracy, democracy, building community, communities, political systems, intolerance, racism, antisemitism

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

social studies

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• Begin the lesson by asking class members to journal about issues they believe the country is facing
• Make copies of Danielle Allen's questions (the Youth Preparatory Politics Framework) and distribute them to participants
• Divide the class into five groups and give each a different article to examine and report on

Classroom Considerations

• Requires extra prep time to copy articles and the Framework
• The seventh or eight resources in the "What Makes Democracy Work" series

Pros

• The articles underscore the risks as well as the benefits of being upstanders

Cons

• None

Common Core

RI.9-10.1 RI.9-10.2 RI.9-10.3 SL.9-10.2 SL.9-10.3 RI.11-12.1 RI.11-12.2 RI.11-12.3 SL.11-12.2 SL.11-12.3