A degree in activism and social change

From The Big Issue In The North, 28/5/07 – 3/6/07:

“Leeds University is to launch a new masters degree in activism and social change. The course will bring together the worlds of academia and radical social campaigning and is being supported by the World Development Movement (WDM). The course will include an introduction to key thinkers and ideas in social justice, campaigning methods, research for social change, and action research placements.”

I’m not entirely sure if it’s a good idea or not. Whilst creating a wider knowledge of activism is obviously a good thing, I can’t help think that academia could slow the fast paced world of radical activism down a bit. I imagine it’ll be a good thinking experience though.