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Syllabi As Student Liberation

$0.00

A syllabus is often treated as a static, top-down contract between instructor and student. But what if it could be a living, breathing document that centers student agency, equity, and anti-oppressive principles? Syllabi As Student Liberation lays out practical steps for radically rethinking course design—from integrating intersectional readings and co-created rubrics to fostering dialogic learning spaces where students feel genuinely invested in shaping their own educational journey.

This workshop guides educators through the fundamentals of transforming a standard syllabus into a tool for collaborative learning and liberation. By challenging top-down pedagogies, we aim to cultivate a culture of shared responsibility, deeper engagement, and justice-oriented content that resonates with today’s diverse student bodies.

A syllabus is often treated as a static, top-down contract between instructor and student. But what if it could be a living, breathing document that centers student agency, equity, and anti-oppressive principles? Syllabi As Student Liberation lays out practical steps for radically rethinking course design—from integrating intersectional readings and co-created rubrics to fostering dialogic learning spaces where students feel genuinely invested in shaping their own educational journey.

This workshop guides educators through the fundamentals of transforming a standard syllabus into a tool for collaborative learning and liberation. By challenging top-down pedagogies, we aim to cultivate a culture of shared responsibility, deeper engagement, and justice-oriented content that resonates with today’s diverse student bodies.

Key Focus Areas

  1. Intersectional Course Content

    • Learn how to incorporate readings and resources that represent a wide spectrum of identities and scholarly traditions, ensuring your syllabus is inclusive and thought-provoking.

  2. Co-Created Rubrics & Assessments

    • Explore strategies for collaboratively designing grading criteria and learning objectives with students, reinforcing a sense of ownership and equity.

  3. Dialogic & Democratic Learning Spaces

    • Discover how to structure classes around open-ended discussions, peer feedback, and student-led exploration to cultivate active participation and empowerment.

Who Should Attend

  • K–12 Teachers & Higher Education Faculty
    Seeking to move beyond traditional lecture-based models and engage students in meaningful, co-created learning.

  • Curriculum Designers & Program Coordinators
    Looking to embed social justice and anti-oppressive frameworks into school-wide or department-wide syllabi.

  • Educational Administrators & Academic Advisors
    Interested in promoting inclusive, liberatory teaching methods at the institutional level.

  • Instructional Coaches & Professional Developers
    Dedicated to supporting educators in adopting student-centered, critically engaged syllabus design.

Learning Objectives

  1. Reimagine the Syllabus

    • Understand the transformative potential of a living syllabus and the pitfalls of conventional course documents that can alienate or marginalize.

  2. Embed Equity & Intersectionality

    • Gain concrete tools for selecting readings, case studies, and activities that recognize and uplift diverse voices and perspectives.

  3. Foster Co-Ownership & Agency

    • Implement collaborative rubrics, ongoing feedback loops, and flexible course schedules that validate students’ expertise and encourage communal growth.

Why It Matters

When educators treat a syllabus as a binding set of rules, they miss the opportunity to invite students into a co-creative, liberatory learning environment. By integrating intersectional texts, inviting student collaboration, and centering equity-driven practices, instructors not only enhance engagement but also dismantle oppressive structures that often go unquestioned in traditional classrooms. This shift not only benefits academic outcomes but also fosters critical thinking, solidarity, and the development of socially conscious leaders.

Is This Workshop For You?

  • Feeling constrained by rigid course outlines and pre-set assessments?
    Explore how to turn a syllabus into a living document that evolves with student input and real-world connections.

  • Wanting to do more than just “include diverse readings” in your curriculum?
    Learn how to weave intersectional perspectives throughout every aspect of the learning experience, from rubrics to classroom dialogue.

  • Concerned about top-down authority dynamics in your classroom?
    Discover facilitation techniques that invite students to participate as active designers and evaluators of their educational journey.

  • Seeking new ways to address inequities and empower underrepresented students?
    We’ll delve into how co-creation, flexible assessment, and accessible learning materials can reduce barriers and foster student liberation.

If you identify with these goals or questions, Syllabi As Student Liberation will offer a roadmap for rethinking your course design into a truly equitable, dynamic, and student-centered experience.