By Tricia Howard
Some people came to college for that piece of paper - no more, no less. But others of us like learning and we had envisioned college as the quintessential environment for it.
The 'learners' imagined a place where controversial topics were tackled and students were not passively getting the grades to get the degree, but actively pursuing change in an often ignorant world.
Then we nerdy passionate types got here, and we found that so many people learn only in the classroom in this passive way that we might as well accept the University experience as a mere extension of high school where we do what is asked of us in the classroom and protect ourselves from the challenge of active, self-motivated learning. And so many of us did.
I propose that there is one particular program on campus that aims to create this quintessential learning environment once envisaged: the social justice program.
If these classes are doing what they are supposed to (and those that I have taken have been successful), then students are challenged to read about difficult issues concerning education in America, the environment, parenting, world organizations (UN, NAFTA, etc), distant genocide and then encouraged to think about the policies and social structures affecting them.
In these classes you do the reading (not for the faint of heart) and you, the student, utilize your critical thinking skills and creativity to enact change and/or create awareness.
This upcoming week, March 26-31, is African solidarity week, and students on this campus will be afforded the opportunity to be active learners.
Take what you have learned in your political science classes, your social work classes, your history classes, and think critically about the situation in Darfur.
If "Darfur" means nothing to you, then I encourage you all the more to be a part of the activities going on around campus.
Come watch a film and discuss its relation to Darfur in St. Mary's (Monday at 7:30 p.m.), Mehling (Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.), or Christie (Thursday at 7:30 p.m.).
Simply buy a "Save Darfur" t-shirt which will be sold at next week's Espresso UP and around campus.
You are at a University now, take some initiative and learn outside of the classroom.
Tricia Howard is a senior psychology and theology major.
