Radical Community-Based Learning: Tapping into Students’ Sense of Justice

Community-based learning (CBL), a staple on college campuses today, has demonstrated impressive results in teaching students how to blend academic instruction and civic engagement, yet falls short in fully preparing students for a future where protest and social change actions are required to uphold democracy. We urge that instruction shift to what we call radical CBL that connects students directly to grassroots and community organizers who lead efforts to change the political, social and economic deficits embedded in our locales. Radical CBL illuminates how hierarchy, patriarchy, and domination operate in hegemonic forms that are initially invisible to many students in order to equip them to take action to address those systems of oppression. Radical CBL is built upon the pillars of activism, politics, and answerability to tap into students’ desire to engage in meaningful work to advance social justice.