NBCLX (Full run time: 6:52) Watch a portion of this video (until 5:10) before you start the learning activity.
Two years after the founding of Harvard University, students began to push back against injustices on campus. In 1639, the students succeeded in removing the first head of the university in response to physical punishment of students. In 1766, after enduring negative issues with food on campus, Harvard students started the "Great Butter Rebellion" through a massive food fight resulting in the suspension of half of the student body. In 1850, students at Georgetown University rioted after a suspension of literary society meetings. Negative opinion of the incident resulted in a reversal of student suspension in exchange for a formal apology from the students. Female students from Smith College were involved in protests for societal change such as consumer protection, working conditions in factories, the creation of public parks and playgrounds, and woman's suffrage.
This learning activity looks at three contemporary protests and then dives deeper into three past campus protests that address similar issues. Please view the contemporary protests before moving on to the three past protests and then share your reflections at the end.