ACTION
There are several stages of the action plan.
You should complete each stage and submit evidence of completion.
Stage 1: Defining the Action Plan
(For assessment of this stage, see the Project Outline assessment instrument provided at the end of this unit.)
Define the goal: Create a clear and achievable goal that specifically outlines the exact purpose of the project.
The goal statement should be written as follows: “The goal of this project is to…”
Define the topic: Identify and expand upon the topic outlined in the goal. You should provide reasons why you are selecting this topic.
Define the issue: Define the exact issue related to your action plan. Issues may include one of the following: the need for a new or improved process; a desire to raise awareness; a requirement for an increase in volunteers; the need for additional funding; the necessity to have a new or improved policy; the need for civic action; etc.
You should provide reasons why you identified this issue.
Define the action: Select the specific action that will support your goal. Actions might include informational campaigns, meetings, volunteering, political action, etc. You should provide reasons for choosing the specific action. You will likely need to conduct research at this stage to identify the nature and extent of the problem, and what resources are currently being used to address it.
Stage 2: Planning the Action Plan
(For assessment of this stage, see the Project Planning assessment instrument provided at the end of this unit.)
You should investigate and gather resources for the project. Resources may include journals, books, articles, research papers, newspaper items, magazine articles, interviews, Internet resources, video, etc., you should research the topic using the resources you have gathered. The purpose of the research phase is to gather as much information as possible about the area being studied and about the specific task at hand, and then to select the most appropriate information from a variety of sources. You must create a bibliography and list of references (MLA format). You may need to contact include government agencies and departments, elected officials, not-for-profit organizations, etc.
Submit your finalized plan. The plan includes:
Stage 3: Executing the Project Plan
(For assessment, see the Project Execution assessment instrument provided at the end of this unit.)
Written
(For assessment of this stage, see the Journal Entry and Final Paper assessment instruments provided at the end of this unit.)
There are two written requirements for the Social Justice 12 action plan:
1. Process journal entries are a major formative evaluation tool for assessing the reflective process as you define, plans, and execute the project. Your journal should reflect about the on-going processes, problems, consequences, etc. of the project as it proceeds. You should make a minimum of one entry per week (beginning May 1st).
2. You final paper is a summative assessment activity tying in the action plan to various aspects of course content material. It is a major research paper. The primary goal of the paper is to you to demonstrate connections among various parts of the Social Justice 12 course and their action plan.
Specifically, your papers should:
• identify concepts learned in the course and demonstrate a thorough understanding of how they relate to specific components of your project
• identify concepts resulting from research on the topic and demonstrate a thorough understanding of how they relate to specific components of your project.
In doing so, your paper should also:
• demonstrate an understanding of the systemic nature of change
• provide any purpose-driven facts and figures related to their action plan
• explore specific causes and consequences related to their action plan
• include a personal reflection that articulates − an analysis of why you believe what you believe (i.e., where your beliefs about this project come from) − evidence of change in what you believe (your biases, assumptions, perceptions, etc.)
• identify possible future application of their Social Justice 12 action plan.
Oral Presentation
(For assessment, see the Oral Presentation assessment instrument provided at the end of this unit.)
At the end of the year, you are required to deliver an oral presentation that summarizes their Social Justice 12 action plan and addresses certain key aspects of their learning. The format for the oral presentation will either be a 10-minute oral presentation with visual aids or one chosen by you.
The oral presentation should include the following:
• a brief summary of your Social Justice 12 action plan, including − your project goal − a brief review of your action plan − the experiences you had − anecdotal successes and failures and the lessons learned from each
• an analysis of your belief systems
• what you believe about your area of social justice (as related to your action plan)
• why you believe what you believe (where your beliefs about this action plan come from)
• a critical review of your belief system (self-assessment) from the beginning of the course and how what you believe has changed (e.g., their biases, assumptions, perceptions)
• demonstration of an understanding of the systemic nature of change as related to your project
• possible future application of your Social Justice 12 action plan.
You should complete each stage and submit evidence of completion.
Stage 1: Defining the Action Plan
(For assessment of this stage, see the Project Outline assessment instrument provided at the end of this unit.)
Define the goal: Create a clear and achievable goal that specifically outlines the exact purpose of the project.
The goal statement should be written as follows: “The goal of this project is to…”
Define the topic: Identify and expand upon the topic outlined in the goal. You should provide reasons why you are selecting this topic.
Define the issue: Define the exact issue related to your action plan. Issues may include one of the following: the need for a new or improved process; a desire to raise awareness; a requirement for an increase in volunteers; the need for additional funding; the necessity to have a new or improved policy; the need for civic action; etc.
You should provide reasons why you identified this issue.
Define the action: Select the specific action that will support your goal. Actions might include informational campaigns, meetings, volunteering, political action, etc. You should provide reasons for choosing the specific action. You will likely need to conduct research at this stage to identify the nature and extent of the problem, and what resources are currently being used to address it.
Stage 2: Planning the Action Plan
(For assessment of this stage, see the Project Planning assessment instrument provided at the end of this unit.)
You should investigate and gather resources for the project. Resources may include journals, books, articles, research papers, newspaper items, magazine articles, interviews, Internet resources, video, etc., you should research the topic using the resources you have gathered. The purpose of the research phase is to gather as much information as possible about the area being studied and about the specific task at hand, and then to select the most appropriate information from a variety of sources. You must create a bibliography and list of references (MLA format). You may need to contact include government agencies and departments, elected officials, not-for-profit organizations, etc.
Submit your finalized plan. The plan includes:
- the outline from Stage 1
- a step-by-step plan of action expressed
on a detailed timeline
- appropriately referenced bibliography
with justification for each item
- list of contacts with justification for each
individual, company, or organization.
Stage 3: Executing the Project Plan
(For assessment, see the Project Execution assessment instrument provided at the end of this unit.)
Written
(For assessment of this stage, see the Journal Entry and Final Paper assessment instruments provided at the end of this unit.)
There are two written requirements for the Social Justice 12 action plan:
1. Process journal entries are a major formative evaluation tool for assessing the reflective process as you define, plans, and execute the project. Your journal should reflect about the on-going processes, problems, consequences, etc. of the project as it proceeds. You should make a minimum of one entry per week (beginning May 1st).
2. You final paper is a summative assessment activity tying in the action plan to various aspects of course content material. It is a major research paper. The primary goal of the paper is to you to demonstrate connections among various parts of the Social Justice 12 course and their action plan.
Specifically, your papers should:
• identify concepts learned in the course and demonstrate a thorough understanding of how they relate to specific components of your project
• identify concepts resulting from research on the topic and demonstrate a thorough understanding of how they relate to specific components of your project.
In doing so, your paper should also:
• demonstrate an understanding of the systemic nature of change
• provide any purpose-driven facts and figures related to their action plan
• explore specific causes and consequences related to their action plan
• include a personal reflection that articulates − an analysis of why you believe what you believe (i.e., where your beliefs about this project come from) − evidence of change in what you believe (your biases, assumptions, perceptions, etc.)
• identify possible future application of their Social Justice 12 action plan.
Oral Presentation
(For assessment, see the Oral Presentation assessment instrument provided at the end of this unit.)
At the end of the year, you are required to deliver an oral presentation that summarizes their Social Justice 12 action plan and addresses certain key aspects of their learning. The format for the oral presentation will either be a 10-minute oral presentation with visual aids or one chosen by you.
The oral presentation should include the following:
• a brief summary of your Social Justice 12 action plan, including − your project goal − a brief review of your action plan − the experiences you had − anecdotal successes and failures and the lessons learned from each
• an analysis of your belief systems
• what you believe about your area of social justice (as related to your action plan)
• why you believe what you believe (where your beliefs about this action plan come from)
• a critical review of your belief system (self-assessment) from the beginning of the course and how what you believe has changed (e.g., their biases, assumptions, perceptions)
• demonstration of an understanding of the systemic nature of change as related to your project
• possible future application of your Social Justice 12 action plan.