Topics in Critical Identity Studies: Speculative Activism (1). All activism is founded on hope. It begins with a belief that society not only should change, but that it has the capacity to do so. Yet it’s difficult to confront so many overwhelming issues in the world without losing hope and giving up your own joy in the process. Speculative Activism is a course designed to confront the burnout inherent in existing in our current world, acknowledging the ways in which all progress starts with internal healing and the creation of community. We will focus on methods of personal healing and reflection, while building strategies that can be utilized beyond the classroom. The course will end with a collaborative worldbuilding project that will allow students to imagine what a better world means to them, on a societal and an individual level. It aims to provide students with the tools they need to confront the world without burning themselves out in the process. May be repeated for credit if topic is different. The 2A, 3B, and 5T domained versions of this course are, respectively, Critical Identity Studies 266, 267, and 268.