Community Studies, Minor
A minor in community studies provides an opportunity to understand and address the complex issues facing communities. Using an interdisciplinary lens, Community Studies minors gain valuable skills to identify and understand community assets and concerns as well as create community-based projects to address challenges and bring about positive social change. Community studies minors integrate their classroom learning from a variety of academic disciplines with community-engaged and community-based experiences. This allows students to apply their learning in hands-on settings. Working with an advisor, community studies minors select complimentary courses that form a “track” clustered around a student’s interest.
The Community Studies Minor requires 18 credit hours of coursework consisting of nine hours of required courses [CE 250 Introduction to Community Studies (3 credits), CE 399 Internship (3 credits), and CE 401 Community Studies Capstone (3 credits)] and nine hours of approved elective courses at any level. CE 399 can be replaced with a three-credit internship in the student’s major if the internship is community-engaged and meets the placement, hour, and learning outcomes required by CE 399. Such a substitution requires pre-approval by the student’s minor advisor.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze information from a variety of academic disciplines in order to understand the complex social issues facing communities.
- Conduct basic community-based research including identifying community assets, understanding community needs, and collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data.
- Apply community development theories (e.g., Theory of Change) to craft community-based programs and projects that are rooted in anti-bias, equity, and social justice.
- Communicate effectively, with a variety of stakeholders, orally and in writing.
Minor Requirements
The Community Studies Minor requires 18 credit hours of coursework:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CE 250 | Introduction to Community Studies | 3 |
| CE 399 | Internship 1 | 3 |
| CE 401 | Community Studies Capstone | 3 |
| Subtotal | 9 | |
| Electives | ||
| Approved elective courses at any level. | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
- 1
CE 399 can be replaced with a three-credit internship in the student’s major if the internship is community-engaged and meets the placement, hour and learning outcomes required by CE 399. Such a substitution requires pre-approval by the student’s minor advisor.