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Campus closing at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20

On-campus activities are cancelled due to jury verdict
​Due to the announcement of the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial expected this afternoon, all on-campus activities at all Metropolitan State University locations are cancelled immediately. All university buildings and locations will close at 4 pm. All university offices and labs will be closed until further notice. Faculty will connect with students about alternative class plans and/or online learning schedules. University administration and the Public Safety Department continue to monitor the situation. Ensuring the safety of the campus community is the primary concern as this situation evolves. Check your Metro email and MetroState.edu for updates.

IDST 343 Perspectives on Community Development

This class will examine theories and models of community development, and introduce students to the realities of community development work. The course explores the history of the community development field from its origins in the late 19th-century urbanization through present innovations fueled by grassroots, foundations and public policy initiatives. The lens of movement and industry approaches will be a key analytical tool. Three traditions in the field community building, community organizing, and community development will be critically examined and compared, including exploring the dynamic relationship between these three traditions. Special attention will be given to community development challenges facing traditionally disenfranchised communities, including factors of race, class and gender. The class will emphasize both a theoretical understanding of community dynamics, ad an introduction to practical skills used by people working in the community development field.
4 Undergraduate credits

Effective December 16, 2012 to present

Meets graduation requirements for

Learning outcomes

General

  • Knows the history and evolution of community development, including relationships between community organizing, community building and community development.
  • Knows and can analyze different models of community development, including the "movement" and "industry" traditions.
  • Understands the role of race, class and gender in community development.
  • Can analyze a community development problem or opportunity, and document in a research presentation.

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum

Goal 7: Human Diversity

  • Understand the development of and the changing meanings of group identities in the United States' history and culture.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the individual and institutional dynamics of unequal power relations between groups in contemporary society.
  • Analyze their own attitudes, behaviors, concepts and beliefs regarding diversity, racism, and bigotry.
  • Describe and discuss the experience and contributions (political, social, economic, etc.) of the many groups that shape American society and culture, in particular those groups that have suffered discrimination and exclusion.
  • Demonstrate communication skills necessary for living and working effectively in a society with great population diversity.