Each week will consist of a live 2-hour Zoom lecture that incorporates 30min Q&A at the end as well. There will be weekly consolidation quizzes and further reading and viewing material is also provided.

Course Introduction

In week 1 we will get familiar with one another as well as the structure of the course. We will discuss the course themes, as well as our intentions and expectations. The more comfortable we are as a group, the greater the learning outcomes that we achieve during the course.

Themes Covered:
- Introductions
- Course Structure and Functions
- Familiarisation with Themes
- Intentions and Expectations

Systems Thinking for Social Change

This session will give you an introduction to systems thinking tools and methodologies, as well as an understanding of how to apply them effectively for social change. You will learn to recognise symptoms as separate to underlying causes, and build a more cohesive and connected understanding of socio-economic and environmental justice.

Themes Covered:
- Systems Thinking Tools
- Synthesis and Analysis
- Systems Boundaries
- Casual Mapping
- Entanglement in Complex Systems
- Socio-Economic Systems Analysis
- Models of Change
- Q&A and Discussion

Ecological Economics

In this session we start with a look at the development of economy from the beginning of the holocene to the present day and learn of how currency came into existence. By understanding the history of economy, we can look at how the current paradigm is leading to injustice and societal breakdown. From there we can learn about the emerging field of Ecological Economics and what it has to offer in terms of establishing social and economic justice. We will apply the theory to real world examples and contexts to consolidate the learnings.

Themes Covered:
- Development of Economy
- History of Currency
- Mechanisms of Capitalism
- Money as a Medium
- Economic Justice
- Ecological Vs Egological
- Ecological Economic Principles
- Biomimicry and Social Innovation
- Applying Ecological Economics

Communication for Social Change

In this session we will look into communication theory, behavioural science and ecopsychology in order to learn how to design better communication for social change campaigns and have more effective conversations on issues of social justice. We will discuss the content in the context of climate change communication as well as other fields that apply the ‘awareness raising’ method. Participants will learn of conscientisation as an approach to change making and communication as a means of empowerment rather than just information sharing.

Themes Covered:
- Information Deficit Model
- Boomerang Effects
- Just World Theory
- Emotional Management
- Slow Onset Threats
- Social Norming
- Ecopsychology
- Climate Change Communication
- Understand Your Medium
- Effective Communication Design
- Conscientisation & Social Change
- Communication for Empowerment

Anti-Racism Training

In this session we look at the social construct of race, learn how it has been used to divide and disconnect, and then develop the skills to become a more effective ally and anti-racism campaigner. You will gain an understanding of key terms, learn of the historical context and understand the current reality of systemic racism. This session will give you the tools to not only understand how to contribute to the anti-racism movement, but also communicate confidently when dealing with casual racism, overt racism and systemic racism.

Themes Covered:
- The Myth of Race
- Deconstructing a Social Construct
- What is and is not Racism
- Understanding Bias
- Reverse Racism
- Socio-Economic Disadvantage
- Recognising Systemic Racism
- How to be Anti-Racist
- Privilege and Fragility
- Your Individual Responsibility
- Allyship and Changemaking

Gender Equality

This session looks at ways we can contribute to Sustainable Development Goal number 5; Gender Equality. We will cover a brief history of the gender equality movement and gain an understanding of gender as a social construct. We will discuss the social inequalities prevalent as well as investigate the issue of gendered violence and toxic masculinity. The outcome of this session is a greater understanding of how and why gender inequality has been maintained, and how we can each contribute to establishing gender equality.

Themes Covered:
- UN Sustainable Development Goals
- The Role of Gender Roles
- Gender is Different to Sex
- Gender Identity
- Deconstructing a Social Construct
- First and Second Wave Feminism
- Third Wave Feminism
- Gendered Violence
- Toxic Masculinity
- Emotional Literacy and Intelligence
- Equality and Diversity

Systems Change Application

In this session we will consolidate the learnings into tangible actions by reviewing the course content through the lens of personal and systems change theory. We will discuss processes of social change as well as the role of the individual in the broader processes to help us develop our resilience through periods of immense change. The recognition of these twin functions helps us to be more effective in our changemaking efforts as individuals and organisations.

Themes Covered:
- Review of Systems Thinking Tools
- Understanding Change Models
- Developing a Theory of Change
- Understanding the Process of Change
- The Role of the Changemaker
- The Key Levers of Social Change
- Application of Learnings
- Individual Mission Development