Courses

    By integrating theory with required community service, students explore how problems are shaped by cultural values and how alternative value paradigms affect the definition of problems in areas such as education and the environment. Students examine different approaches to solving problems and begin to envision new possibilities. Approved for GT-SS3. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: ideals and values.

    Designed to educate and inspire civic engagement primarily in the area of electoral politics. Examines various explanations of why people participate in the electoral process and whom they choose to support. Develops the practical skills necessary to participate successfully in the electoral arena. Through a service component, the course provides experience working on a campaign and mobilizing others to participate in the electoral process.

    Educates and inspires students for civic engagement by exploring democratic values and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Develops theoretical knowledge and practical skills for participating in a diverse democratic society, especially at the state level, through analyzing legislative issues, making policy recommendations, and advocating for change. Approved for GT-SS3. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: United States context.

    Introduces the field of peace and conflict studies. Examines causes and dynamics of conflict and violence (interpersonal to global), peace institutions and research, peace movements, nonviolence, and careers in conflict resolution and peacemaking.

    Examines concepts of activism, citizenship, democracy, power, and diversity through classroom discussions and participation in a local high school's Public Achievement project. Through community-based partnerships, students will develop leadership skills; dialogue with diverse groups of people; identify multiple perspectives around controversial issues; and learn to use research and writing to articulate public problems and advocate for their solutions. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Same as EDUC 2919. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: human diversity.

    Explores creative approaches for solving complex social and environmental issues, with a focus on peace and population. Students analyze the root causes of issues in theoretical and historical contexts, and develop their understanding of effective and innovative approaches to change. This course has a requirement of community service. Recommended prereq., upper-division status. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies.

    Explores human development from a psychosocial perspective, focusing on the interplay between psychological patterns and social forms. Issues such as self-image and social consciousness are studied within the larger context of individual and collective forces leading to transformation. Prereqs., SOCY 1001, and SOCY 3001 or 3011, or instructor consent. Same as SOCY 3041.

    Focuses on leadership theories and skills necessary for effectiveness in multicultural settings. Students gain understanding of traditional and culturally diverse approaches to leadership and change through comparative analyses of Western and non-Western theories and practices. Community service required. Same as ETHN 3201 and LDSP 3100. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: human diversity.

    Students gain knowledge and skills that enable them to become effective agents of community change. Focuses on understanding the processes of community building with a multicultural emphasis. Students are encouraged to apply their own life experiences and to examine themselves as potential change agents. Same as WMST 3302.

    Examines grassroots innovation as a means for creating comprehensive, solution-based strategies to address social and environmental problems. Students develop an understanding of the root causes of problems, identify how changes are initiated at the grassroots level, and learn the theory and practice of effective and responsible change efforts.

    This is primarily a skills course, designed to help students improve their personal conflict management styles and skills. We also examine theory about what causes conflicts, what makes conflicts constructive or destructive, and learn the theory and practice of transforming destructive conflicts into constructive ones. Same as COMM 3700. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).
    Content varies depending on instructor. May provide an overview of the field, cover scientific, philosophical, or historical approaches, or analyze a specific substantive topic. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).

    Develops students' competencies as community leaders working for a just and sustainable world. Under the supervision of an instructor and a community supervisor, students learn organizational leadership skills by serving as volunteer staff members at community-based organizations. Prereq., admission into INVST CLP. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours.

    Develops students' competencies as community leaders working for a just and sustainable world. Under the supervision of an instructor and a community supervisor, students learn organizational leadership skills by serving as volunteer staff members at community-based organizations. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours.

    Exposes students to current issues in the political economy of development. Subjects range from globalization, democratization, and economic development. Specifically, the course explores the international and domestic determinants of economic development with special reference to currency markets, foreign direct investment, trade, and democratization. Prereqs., PSCI 2012 or IAFS 1000, ECON 2010 and 2020, and one upper-division PSCI course. Same as PSCI 4732. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies.

    Explores theories of democracy and development in relation to movements for nonviolent social change. Focuses on means and ends, spirituality, leadership, decision-making, civil society, cooperative economics, ecology and decentralized powers. Restricted to senior SOCY/PSCI majors.

    Examines specific theoretical perspectives in peace and conflict studies and conducts in-depth research projects using a case-study approach. Emphasizes using critical thinking skills in writing and class discussion. Case study examples include: U.S. violence, peacemaking/keeping in ethnonationalist conflicts, environmental conflict resolution. Prereq., PACS 2500 or instructor consent. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Junior or Senior) Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) majors only.

    Develops students' expertise as community leaders. Under the supervision of an instructor and a community advisor, students design a community-based project. Prereqs., admission to INVST CLP, INVS 3931 and 3932. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours.

    Develops students' expertise as community leaders working for a just and sustainable world. Under the supervision of an instructor and a community advisor, students learn organizational and leadership skills by designing, implementing and evaluating a community-based project. First-hand experience provides students with a deepened understanding of the complex issues facing humanity, and competence with solution-based strategies. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. INVS 4932 and LDSP 4932 are the same course.

    Students participate in a service-learning practicum under the supervision of a Community Studies instructor. They explore teaching strategies for implementing concrete educational goals. Focusing on the issues of social justice and social change, they learn how to encourage higher levels of creativity and analysis among students. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours.