This foundations course for the Community Action and Social Change Minor is designed to prepare students to be informed and active participants in the process of community building and social change. The course uses a multidisciplinary framework to develop competencies that will help students envision what community action and social change looks like, identify and implement steps towards social change, build on positive sources of power, indigenous knowledge and experiences of individuals, groups, and communities who are engaged in social change efforts.

The course material covers theories and practices of community action and social change through an interdisciplinary examination of examples in research and practice. The course focuses on individuals, groups and institutions and how they interact. The course examines empirical quantitative and qualitative studies that test social change methods and provides exposure to and experience with qualitative research methods such as ethnographic observation and interviewing and qualitative data-gathering. Students are engaged in a critical and contrasting assessment of community organizing and other social change methods.

Core competencies:

1. Students will examine their own identity development (race, class, gender, sexual/relational orientation, religion, nationality, ability, other), recognize multiple social identities, and engage in critical analysis of power, privilege, and oppression
2. Exploration and understanding of the meaning of community and social change
3. Students will develop individual interview skills and relationship-building skills and group facilitation skills
4. Awareness of historical framework and theory regarding community action and social change
5. Engagement in policy and structural analysis with regard to community action and social change
6. Students will develop community building and organizing skills

Intended Audience:

This is an open enrollment course. If a section is closed for enrollment and you would like to join the waitlist, email cascminor@umich.edu for more information