Civic Action Project

Design, Media & Social Change

“Life is to be lived, not controlled, and humanity is won by continuing to play in face of certain defeat.”
Ralph Ellison (1952)

To the Senior class of LA School of Global Studies,

The Constitutional Rights Foundation (CRF) seeks to instill in our nation's

youth a deeper understanding of citizenship through values expressed in our
Constitution and its Bill of Rights. The Civic Action Project (CAP) is a
curriculum designed to guide students through the process of advocating for
public policy changes in their community and society at large.

Transforming Education and Democracy

Here at CRF, we understand that urban schools have not always empowered youth. For generations, they have
functioned as institutions that reinforce many of society’s injustices. Decades of oppressive education policies like
segregation, tracking, and the school to prison pipeline have often alienated youth and communities.

This is why we are excited to collaborate with Global Studies as you launch your latest CAP and prepare to develop a
new generation of Global Ambassadors. We feel that Global Ambassadors - with their ability to critically analyze the
world, communicate effectively, and collaborate - are most prepared to stand up for justice in their community. We
are confident that you have the skills and experience necessary to transform public schools into democratic
institutions for justice and liberation.
DRIVING QUESTIONS
How can you make meaningful change in your community through civic action?
How can you use design and media to create social change in your community and raise a call to action?

But, make no mistake, this will be a challenging project. You will be asked to conduct rigorous academic research,
meet with local organizations, and take action to shape public policy. Your efforts may save lives and will certainly
transform yourselves and your community. Luckily, you will have the support of your peers, online community, and
teachers as you work toward completing each benchmark.

Cutting the Issue - Political Studies

You will begin your CAP by exploring various issues before you choose one to focus on for your project. The brief
action-research project you have just finished may inform your decision. Though your group may choose any topic,
we encourage the senior class to strive toward consensus on one issue.There is power in numbers. As a group, you will
investigate the source of the problem, effects, and policy solutions to solve the problem. Your policy solution will be
sharpened into a concise demand. Ultimately, you will write talking points for this issue. You should use your
understanding of intersectionality from the book Assata: An Autobiography to represent your issue from various
perspectives.

Power Analysis - Political Studies

Your second benchmark will involve developing a power analysis for your demand. A power analysis is a graphic that
represents the people and organizations that might influence your campaign. You will identify potential allies and
obstacles. You will also assess how much influence these people and groups may have on your demand. To complete
your power analysis, you will need to develop a comprehensive understanding of the structure of government.
Benchmarks of Social Change
You will also need to interview several individuals who may support your cause. These individuals may comprise your
base. You will also interview representatives from local organizations. These organizations may comprise your
coalition. By building a base and a coalition, you will be building power in your community, which is necessary to
create social change.

Civic Action Timeline- Political Studies

Your final benchmark will include a timeline of actions that you will take to advocate for your policy demand. These
will be the steps you take to create change in your community.

Voice through Design: A Call to Action - Design Class

As you define your civic action, think about what communication tools and publications you will need to carry out
during your campaign (ie. poster, community presentation, website, flyers/brochures, etc.). What could you
implement using your design and media skills, that will benefit your civic action and help mobilize others to a call to
action?

Voice through Media - Design Class

Your final civic action will be a Public Service Announcement (PSA). Similar to your Digital Story Project informed
others of your personal story, this 2-3 minute video will serve to educate the public about your issues and demands.
You will tell the story behind your issue and include a specific and compelling call to action that supports your policy
solution. Your message should be tailored to appeal to a specific target audience. We will explore how Critical Media
Literacy can be used to inform your video message and tell the story of your civic action.

BM Political Studies/ELA Design & Media

1 Issue Talking Points Inspiration Phase: Planning & Design Thinking Process
● Online Research Sheet ● Planning and ideas proposal related to community
● Talking Points issue-identify problem and possible solutions
● What is Social Change?

2 Power Analysis The Power of Media in Social Change

● Power Analysis Presentation ● Power Analysis Presentation (Imagery)
● Spreadsheet w/ base and coalition contacts ● Critical Media Literacy & Persuasion

3 Timeline of Actions Ideation Phase: A Call to Action-tools and/or products

PSA Process & Civic Actions: Capturing Video & Photos
● What is a PSA?
● Draft of ideas/research presentation & process
● BM1: Script outline/Storyboards for PSA
● Documenting Civic Actions- Gathering images/film/docs
● BM 2 PSA Peer Feedback & Critique-1st Draft

3 Draft 1 of CAP Presentation PSA Process & Civic Actions: Capturing Video & Photos
● BM 3 PSA Peer Feedback & Critique-FINAL Draft
● Call to Action Design Tool & Product Development-Flyer,
Brochure, infographic, invitation, website, etc

4 Final Draft of CAP Presentation Implementation Phase: PSA Process & Civic Actions
● Final Draft of CAP Presentation & PSAs
● Feedback & Critique ---> Oral Presentations

5 FINAL CAP - GROUP PRESENTATIONS FINAL CAP - GROUP PRESENTATIONS

Exhibit Groups selected ● Exhibit Groups selected

6 The California Endowment CRF Exhibit - The California Endowment CRF Exhibit -
May 30th - GROUP PRESENTATIONS May 30th - GROUP PRESENTATIONS
Your culminating task for the Civic Action Project is the CAP Presentation. Your first presentation draft is due
Monday, April 26th along with your PSA which should be included in your presentation. The final presentation is
due Wednesday, May 22nd. The top 6 groups will present at the CRF CAP Showcase on May 30th at the California
Endowment.

Your presentation will be graded with the Knowledge and Thinking , Visual Communication, and Oral Communication
rubrics. Review these rubrics as you design your presentation, write your scripts, and rehearse.

Final CRF Presentation Requirements

❏ Introduction
❏ Issue/Topic. Include a brief statement about the topic and the problem.
❏ Facts or background research
❏ Describe the surveys you conducted to learn about problems in your community.
❏ Include facts and statistics about the problem, its effects, and possible policy
solutions you explored.
❏ Cite your sources. Keep in mind, you already did this research.
❏ Stakeholders: Interviews with people involved
❏ Describe the coalition building and base building interviews you did.
❏ Describe any other stakeholders you researched.
❏ Describe yourself as a stakeholder. What is your personal connection to this issue?
❏ Purpose
❏ Why did your group choose this project? Why is this issue important?
❏ Why does it matter to more than just your group? Is this a systemic issue? Why?
❏ Goals of Project
❏ Describe your demands and explain how you developed those demands.
❏ Describe your targets and how you chose them. Describe the power analysis process.
❏ Civic Actions
❏ Describe the civic actions your group took. (Political Studies & Design)
❏ Describe the challenges you faced and successes you had with each action.
❏ Impact of the project:
❏ How successful were you in changing public policy?
❏ What policy makers did you influence and how?
❏ What stakeholders did you influence and how?
❏ How did you change because of this project?
❏ What did you learn about public policy? What did you learn about civic action?