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The Politics of Community Change: Leadership, Non-profits, and Comm Dev. (PSCI 1190)
Total Credits:
3
Lecture Credits:
3
Description:
This course introduces key concepts and skills for work in organizations engaged in community change work. You will explore theories of social movements and social change; asset-based community development; the history and role of non-profit organizations in politics and communities; approaches to leadership in organizations and movements; and diversity and inclusion in social change work. This course will also introduce you to various media forms and tactics in specific movements and organizing efforts.
Topical Outline:
1. Social movements and social change (history, theory, approaches, processes)
2. Non-profit organizations (Role in politics locally and nationally; relevant laws and policies)
3. Asset-based community development (elements, definitions, community applications)
4. Leadership (theories, leadership styles, group dynamics within organizations)
5. Critical race theory and its practical application to community development and non-profit organizations
6. Uses of various media forms and tactics
Learning Outcomes:
1. Discuss history, theory, and processes of social movements and social change
2. Identify and evaluate key laws and policies related to non-profit organizations (national and local)
3. Assess the needs and assets of communities and organizations
4. Identify and compare leadership theories and styles in movements and organizations and identify one's own leadership style
5. Identify media forms and tactics in specific movements and organizing efforts
6. Apply critical race theory and other theories of power to social change work in general and specifically to your own efforts as an agent of social change.
Prerequisites:
Placement into
READ 0200 or
ESOL 0052 or completion of
READ 0100 or
ESOL 0042
MnTC:
- Goal 5: History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Goal 9: Ethical and Civic Responsibility