About this program
Why a minor in Community Organizing and Development?
The Community Organizing and Development minor is ideal course of study to students with interests in organizing, developing and sustaining community, institutional and social change. The minor provides a holistic overview of community organizing and development including:
- a focused field experience in community organizing and development;
- an exploration of approaches to community empowerment and social justice; and
- an understanding of the impact of public policy on low-income populations and people of color.
What will I do in the Minor?
All Community Organizing and Development minor courses are taught by faculty members with long track records in the classroom and in the field. All courses incorporate examination of both historical and current forces and strategies in the community organizing and development traditions. Students will see the field and explore movements including: mutual aid associations, settlement houses, the community organizing tradition founded by Saul Alinsky, the community development movement, and the poor peoples and working class movements. Students will explore these developments in the context of globalization and draw connections between practice here and approaches in regions around the world. Students in the Minor will take 20 credits of community organizing and development courses.
What can I do with the minor?
A Community Organizing and Development Minor is an excellent complement to a number of majors. These include:
- Professional programs such as psychology, law enforcement, criminal justice, human services, social work, and international business
- Liberal arts programs in history, gender studies, professional communication, ethnic studies, or philosophy
Student outcomes
- Explore multiple movements, focusing on the practices used not only in the United States but around the world.
- Have field experiences in community organizing and development.
- Explore the approaches of community empowerment and social justice.
- Understand the impact of public policy on low-income populations and people of color.