Radical Syllabus Reconstruction

What participants gain

• Redesign at least three specific pedagogical structures or policies.
• Map the causal link between a syllabus change and a systemic equity outcome.
• Apply peer-consent decision making to validate proposed pedagogical changes.

Materials needed

• Theory of Change canvases
• Participants' annotated syllabi from the morning session
• Fine-liner pens and markers
• Index cards for peer feedback
• Timer app

How to run Radical Syllabus Reconstruction, step by step

1. Instruct participants to review their annotated syllabi and the insights captured on the whiteboard throughout the day.
2. Ask each educator to identify their '15% Solution'—three structural changes they can make immediately without needing administrative approval.
3. Distribute the Theory of Change canvases to all participants.
4. Guide participants to map their first change, starting with the 'Input' (the new policy) and tracing it through to the 'Impact' (the equitable outcome).
5. Provide 25 minutes of quiet, focused individual work time for participants to draft their reconstructed policies and complete their canvases.
6. Organize the room into 'Consent Circles' of 4 participants each.
7. Instruct one person to present their proposed change to the circle (3 minutes).
8. Guide the circle to ask clarifying questions only, no feedback yet (2 minutes).
9. Ask the circle to provide 'Consent'—not necessarily agreeing it's perfect, but confirming it is 'safe to try' and won't cause harm.
10. If a peer objects, they must provide a specific modification to make it safe to try.
11. Rotate until all members of the circle have presented and received consent for their changes.
12. Conclude by having each participant write their most significant commitment on an index card to keep on their desk.

Facilitator tips

• Emphasize the '15% Solution' concept heavily; discourage people from trying to fix the entire university in one afternoon.
• During the Consent Circles, strictly enforce the 'clarifying questions only' rule before feedback to prevent immediate criticism.
• Play instrumental, focus-oriented music during the 25-minute individual work period.
• Remind participants that 'Consent' means 'good enough for now, safe enough to try', not unanimous agreement.
• Circulate to ensure the proposed changes are structural (e.g., changing a grading rubric) rather than just attitudinal (e.g., 'be nicer').

Common challenges

• Scope creep (trying to change too much) - Gently force them back to what they control entirely.
• Vague commitments - Push for specificity (e.g., change 'be more inclusive' to 'implement anonymous grading for midterms').
• Peers giving unsolicited advice rather than consent - Intervene and remind them of the Sociocracy protocol.
• Fatigue at the end of the day - Keep the pace brisk and the instructions highly structured.

Running it virtually

Use individual Google Docs for the Theory of Change drafting. Utilize Zoom breakout rooms of 4 for the Consent Circles, providing a strict timing script in the chat for them to follow.

Expected results

Each participant will leave with a concrete, peer-reviewed action plan and a partially rewritten syllabus that actively dismantles bias.

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