Pauli Murray’s America Elective Course
This semester-long elective course includes 15 Units and is anchored in the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, a Black, Queer, legal and civil rights pioneer who broke through barriers and changed the course of history. Students immerse themselves in a primary source-based, interdisciplinary, and multimedia exploration of Murray’s early life, their efforts to secure equal rights and access to education, their civil rights work, and their activism through authorship.
This Elective Course Was Developed with Funding from the New York City Council.
For New York City Public School (NYCPS) educators, all teaching materials needed for this Civics Readiness Seal course are available on History UnErased’s Intersections & Connections digital curriculum platform, with extended learning opportunities and the Application of Knowledge (AoK) Project guidelines and rubric. Request your school’s unique access code for the curriculum platform here: https://unerased.org/nycdoe-request-access
For all non-NYCPS educators, the unit dashboards on this page align with this syllabus.
CLICK HERE to download the Pauli Murray classroom poster as a print-ready file for professional printing.
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE (AoK) PROJECT
This project helps students synthesize their learning and demonstrate their civic knowledge, skills, and mindsets. Students identify a contemporary civic issue, analyze its historical context and current impact, and develop informed solutions or actions to address it. Students will present their findings and reflections to a relevant audience, fostering civic participation and community engagement.
AoK Project Components
1. Issue Identification and Research
- Select a civic issue connected to themes explored in the course.
- Conduct research using primary and secondary sources to understand the issue’s history and current relevance.
2. Analysis and Solution Development
- Analyze the issue through multiple perspectives, considering factors such as race, gender, and socio-economic status.
- Develop potential solutions or actions, evaluating their feasibility and potential impact.
3. Civic Action Plan
- Develop a plan to address the issue, which may involve advocacy, community education, or policy recommendations.
- Implement the plan or simulate its implementation, documenting the process and outcomes.
4. Presentation and Reflection
- Present the project to the class or community members, utilizing effective communication strategies.
- Reflect on the learning experience, personal growth, and the importance of civic engagement.
