Empowering Citizen Scholars/Teacher Candidates to Create Social Justice Curriculum Through Civic Engagement Projects

• In Event: Empowering Citizens and Teachers: Engaging Social Studies Instruction

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to examine how participating in a Civic Engagement Project (CEP) led citizen scholars (teacher candidates) to develop and publish race and social justice curriculum. This longitudinal study provides a snapshot of the CEP, a social studies methods course assignment for teacher candidates (TC) who research community issues, select a class project, collaborate, create and publish resources for teachers and the local community. This qualitative study examines the challenges, benefits and process of the CEP. TCs' reflections, content of the digital curriculum, lessons, and resources they created, surveys and interviews with TCs after graduation were analyzed through the lens of Racial Pedagogical Content Knowledge (RPCK) and Critical Race Theory.

Authors

• Gayle Y. Thieman, Portland State University

• Benjamin Bruhn, Portland State University