Category Archives: Social Justice

Old Tactics, New Times: Pushback and Breakthroughs in the Struggle for Civil Rights (Larry Metzger)

The photograph above depicts one of the turning points in the Civil Rights Movement, which was, in turn, one of the defining events in recent United States history. What is the story behind that photograph? This is a course about the Civil Rights Movement and the continuing struggle for racial justice in America. It is also a course about the nature of race and racism in the United States. How and why did whites establish racial segregation in the United States? How did the Civil Rights Movement begin? What choices did people – white and black, leaders and plain folks – make and how did those choices shape the movement? How successful was the movement? What is the state of civil rights in the United States today? If these questions intrigue you, please join me.

About the instructor:

I am a volunteer who has been facilitating classes at PSCS since the fall of 2015. In past years I taught an earlier version of this course on the Civil Rights Movement, as well as classes on the Vietnam War, and Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. I currently live in Santa Fe, New Mexico with my wife, Elizabeth, and our dog, Dr. Norman (we moved here this past August). One of my greatest regrets about leaving Seattle was that I would no longer be able to teach at PSCS: I have always enjoyed the enthusiasm and intellectual curiosity of PSCS students. So, this fall I was delighted to discover that, through the magic of ZOOM, I have the opportunity to continue to work with PSCS and its wonderful students.

  • There will be a moderate amount of "outside of class time" work in this class.
  • Outside work: A small amount (e.g., <30 min) for each session
  • Mature themes: Southern whites frequently resorted to violence in their efforts to oppose Civil Rights activities. This violence will sometimes be described in reading and depicted in photos and videos.
  • Minimum students: 5
  • Sessions per week: 2

Black History through Stories and Songs (Sam)

Note: This class is open to middle school students only.

Exploring the journey of Blacks in America offers a deeper understanding of a culture that is always fighting. So many people share accounts of both struggles and triumphs. There are many stories that we have heard, and so many more that need to be heard! Along with those stories are songs that tell of a painful past, yet share about a glorious future. This class will be about hearing both familiar and not, while gathering a better understanding of why this history matters.

Required texts/materials: The instructor will procure the texts/materials.

  • Most of your work time will be "in class" during the allotted class time, however, should you need or want more time to complete your work you will be expected to use some "outside of class" time.
  • Outside work: A small amount (e.g., <30 min) for each session
  • Estimated cost per student: $15
  • Minimum students: 5

Student Leadership Class (Amy and TSam)

Do you want to learn about who you are and how that impacts you as a leader in our community? Do you want to explore various leadership styles? Do you want to be a part of understanding how to create and support a culture of belonging at PSCS? Do you want to work on projects like creating a student government at PSCS and other community building activities? Then this is the place for you.

This class focuses on who you are as a leader, different strategies for leadership, different styles of leadership, working on various projects that are student driven, and really digging deep into what it means to be a school that cares about everyone feeling like they belong. Join us as we continue our journey in exploring all of these topics.

You did not have to be in this class Fall Term to join us in Winter Term. This class is open to all!

  • There will be a moderate amount of "outside of class time" work in this class.
  • Outside work: Occasional throughout the term

Protest Writing, Continued (hannah)

Note: This class is open to high school students only.

This is a continuation of the Fall Term class. In Winter Term, we will finish Your Heart is a Muscle the Size of a Fist and begin Persepolis. We will learn more about the current state of protest in the USA and abroad. We will write a variety of things, including poetry and the classic 5-Paragraph Essay, and engage in socratic seminars to discuss what we learn.

Required texts/materials: The two books from Fall Term. If you want to take this class but didn't take it in Fall Term, let's talk.

  • There will be a moderate amount of "outside of class time" work in this class.
  • Outside work: See course description above
  • Mature themes: learning about systems of oppression including racism and sexism