Please visit the Integrated Action Civics Project website for strategies and detailed information.
Brief Program Overivew
UCBHSSP leads the Integrated Action Civics Project, an insturctional approach that integrates civically-oriented project-based learning strategies with History-Social Studies curriculum. IACP was formed through a collaboration among the UC Berkeley History-Social Science Project (UCBHSSP), the Santa Clara COE and the San Mateo COE, along with a dedicated cohort of teacher leaders, to develop and pilot a powerful approach to the integration of civic engagement into any History-Social Science course curriculum.
How is this approach different?
Most civic engagement programs take place within government or civics courses, or exist as isolated projects within history classrooms. Integrated Action Civics is a different approach that weaves the powerful lenses and practices of civic action and change-analysis throughout the study of course content. Our goal is to empower all students as change-makers by integrating civic disposition, skills, and engagement opportunities within K-12 History-Social Studies courses
The change analysis skills they learn and practice throughout their education, along with their deepened sense of self, empowers students to engage with, and advocate for, issues that are important to them, as well as studying, connecting, and allying with other communities. This might be through school civic action projects, or even later in life as active, informed members of society
This model also can be used by educators in the development of civic action projects that are deeply integrated within the history curriculum, including YPAR projects in Ethnic Studies and/or to support students in earning the State Seal of Civic Engagement
Teaching for Change
The Change Analysis strategies are the key to the IAC framework. The lenses of power, stakeholders, and strategy development, among others, help students look at the content in a new way and help teach the process of social change. These can be selectively used to support an inquiry arc within a unit, and can be interspersed across a full course of study. The strategies are flexible and can be easily adapted and included in teachers's existing curriculum.
We want to not only teach that change happens, but also how chang happens.
Integrate civic engagement into your courses
- Read more about Integrated Action Civics.
- Watch for upcoming workshops and institutes via our events listings.
- Bring Integrated Action Civics to your school or district.
- Contact us:
- Devin Hess, UC Berkeley History-Social Science Project, dhess@berkeley.edu
- Olivia Santillan, Santa Clara County Office of Education, olivia_santillan@sccoe.org
-
Gwenn Lei, San Mateo County Office of Education, glei@smcoe.org