The Civil Rights Research Experience (CRRE) is designed to provide African American students and staff with an up-close, historical and experiential education of many events during the Civil Rights Movement which helped to shape and define the United States. This field experience is more than a tour – it helps to develop the important research skills, which is necessary for higher education and attainment of an advanced degree, as well as enhance critical thinking skills. CRRE challenges students to utilize theoretical concepts and apply them to the Civil Rights learning experience by addressing issues such as capitalism, racism, social movements, student activism, service learning and political power learned in coursework or lived experiences. The main purpose of this program is to create a self identity and self advocacy based curriculum which can be taught to our youth within the schools.
Although the tour involves a small (relatively speaking) group of students and staff, the benefit touches the whole community. Students who participate share their experience, and present information and insights they have gained through development of district-wide resources and presentations for elementary, middle, and high schools, along with administration and school board members. Most importantly, students use their research skills to help redefine how Civil Rights will be taught and learned in the future.
Learning Goals
- Hone essential research skills
- Understand how the landmark Supreme Court ruling of Brown vs. Board of Education and integration funds influence the learning of students in area schools
- Learn more deeply about the Civil Rights Movement
- Experience the historic Civil Rights and Black power movement sites
- Link theoretical frameworks to everyday practical experiences (from classroom to life)
- Connect history’s triumphs and struggles to relevant everyday struggles and successes
- Learn about student activism and social movements
- Engage in service learning
- Use effective presentation skills, including movie-making
- Explore the history, role, and relationship of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) to the Civil Rights Movement
