Community Studies, Minor
Description
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.
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.
Additional Information
The Community Studies Minor is coordinated by Learning in the Community (LinC): The Center for Community and Civic Engagement. For more information, see the LinC section of this catalog.
Course Offerings
CE 250 Introduction to Community Studies (3)
This course introduces students to the interdisciplinary academic discipline of community studies.Topics include the importance of understanding self and place, theories of community change, basic community-based research methods, and the importance of civic engagement.
CE 251 Introduction Poverty Studies (3)
This course examines poverty as a problem for individuals, families, and societies. It focuses on the United States, perhaps the most impoverished of any developed nation. This course emphasizes discussion intended to advance understanding and prompt critical analyses of the assigned readings. Prerequisites: None.
CE 300 Special Topics in Community Studies (1-3)
Topics will vary from semester to semester and will be announced in advance. May be taken for more than one semester. Prerequisites: CE 250 or consent of instructor.
CE 350 Community-based Research (3)
Community-based research (CBR) is a collection of research methods focused on social justice and social change. This field-based course presents an overview of CBR weaving together three key areas. First, an exploration of the historical and theoretical underpinnings of CBR. Second, key aspects of CBR practice such as ethics, working with diverse populations, program planning, and program evaluation. Third, the skills CBR practitioners use to collect and analyze data in their work. Prerequisite: CE 250 or consent of instructor.
CE 391 Social Change and Political Activism (3)
This course is designed to familiarize students with mobilizing and development of issue campaigns. The content of the course will focus on an understanding of social action, change and advocacy. Organizing a campaign refers to a particular form of community participation in which "grassroots" people learn techniques to share in power. This implies that the model will focus on recruiting grassroots membership and targeting systems for change. The methods may include collaborative problem solving, strategic planning and confrontation. Targets for change may be individuals, systems, institutions, and policies.
CE 397 Directed Readings (1-3)
Under the supervision of a faculty member, students will undertake an extensive reading course to further their understanding of a specific topic within Community Studies. May be repeated for a maximum of six hours. Students are limited to six hours total from CE 397 and CE 398 combined. Prerequisites: CE 250, declared minor, junior/senior standing, and consent of instructor.
CE 398 Directed Research (1-3)
Under the supervision of a faculty member, students will undertake an independent research project to further their understanding of a specific topic within Community Studies. May be repeated for a maximum of six hours. Students are limited to six hours total from CE 397 and CE 398 combined. Prerequisites: CE 250 or consent of instructor.
CE 399 Internship (1-3)
Under the supervision of a faculty member, students will be placed with a local community-based organization to gain practical experience in a community setting. May be repeated twice for a maximum of three hours. Prerequisites: CE 250 or consent of instructor.
CE 400 Special Topics in Community Studies (1-3)
Topics will vary from semester to semester and will be announced in advance. May be taken for more than one semester. Prerequisite: CE 250 or consent of instructor.
CE 401 Community Studies Capstone (3)
In this course, students will apply core knowledge from the interdisciplinary academic discipline of community studies to address a community-identified need. Special attention is given to reflection and professional preparation for various career paths including nonprofit and community-based organizations, and governments. Prerequisites: CE 250 and 12 credits in the minor or instructor consent.