Direct action gets the job done! From climate to immigration, activists have been freeing us all through vigorous challenges to power.
This class will bring together activists and experts from across a range of issues to talk about their experiences planning and carrying out a range of actions, from climate action in Aotearoa to nonviolent civil resistance against rising fascism.
With a focus on the practical, this class will explore what works, why it works – and how to keep yourself and your community safe when taking direct action. Guest speakers include Spencer Sunshine and Joel Bellman.
For more information and registrations, visit: https://directaction.lilregie.com
Your Facilitators
The Dark Times Academy team!
Zoom sessions
18 September – 13 November
NZST: Thursday 12:00 noon
EDT: Friday 7:00 pm
PDT: Friday 5:00 pm
AEST: Thursday 10:00 am
Note: Daylight saving time will happen in multiple places during this course! We will follow the time change in Aotearoa New Zealand. Please check the time for each week below using the link to confirm for your location!
Class Outline
This class is different from our usual offerings!
Each week will have a new expert guest in to answer the questions: Why choose direct action? and What role do you see direct action playing in creating a better world?
Students will be sent a short, recorded interview with the guest before class, and then we will sit down as a group and talk with the guest about their ideas, their work, and what they think we should all be doing in this moment. If you’ve been feeling hopeless or unsure how to help, this class will leave you with a broad range of evidence-informed perspectives and ideas for what you can do to create a better world.
- Week 1 18 September
- Week 2 25 September
- Week 3 2 October
- Week 4 9 October
BREAK WEEK! 16 October
- Week 5 23 October
- Week 6 30 October
- Week 7 6 November
- Week 8 13 November
Class Project (TO DISCUSS)
Classes like this can feel heavy sometimes–but action helps us to redirect our energy into doing the work of making a better world. As part of this class, we will be offering the opportunity for the class to decide on shared optional project aimed at making a cooler world. We will discuss the options and make a plan together–in the past Mandy’s classes have created learning games, planned events, and developed submissions to political leaders. What we do will be up to the students who enrol!
How this course works
Taking inspiration from the long history around the world of folk education, particularly the Scandinavian and Appalachian traditions, this course is designed to offer a fun, affordable and rigorous experience–that serves the needs of working adults.
Like all folk education, liberation and movement building is at the core of the course. We save ourselves together–and we educate ourselves to build solidarity, share tactics, and create a shared vision for a better future for all of us.
There’s no grades, no assessments, no credentials.
This is about learning for the love of learning and the love of each other.
Model for Each Week and Expectations
Each week will include a 20-minute pre-recorded lecture and a 90-minute Zoom class session to discuss the material and engage in hands-on activities related to the course material.
We will also provide a list of resources including readings, podcasts, and videos for each week. You can choose to engage with these as we go along or save them for later.
Our goal is to provide readings at a range of levels, so if you struggle with reading or have other literacy barriers, you should still find plenty of learning material for you. You don’t have to be a reader to participate, and we aim not to privilege those with better literacy skills.
Code of Conduct
Our goal is to create a vibrant and engaged learning community where we all prioritise learning and building relationships with each. This course and all Dark Times Academy classes and events aim to be accessible to all people regardless of age, disability, sexuality, background, religion, gender or ethnicity.
A respectful, open attitude towards others is expected from all. Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated and may result in your removal from the course.
Life is hard enough as it is, leading with kindness and patience is key to a great learning experience, one that ensures all members feel welcomed.
Anxiety, Busyness, and Stress
Doing an online course on top of your full-time job, care responsibilities, and other life stuff is really hard. It’s ok to fall behind! Please don’t let anxiety or stress lead you to avoid engaging or cause you to feel inadequate.
Do your best, it will be good enough. Ask for help if you need it. We are always happy to support you as best we can.
Accessibility
Please email Mandy with any accessibility needs. We are happy to work together to make this class work for you