Search
Home Our Community Profiles Spotlight On... Reflections Tools Careers

 

 

Add Your Course Description

Course Description Instructor
Boston University, School of Social Work, MP781

Community Organizing

 

MP 781 establishes the value base of community organizing practice; presents the basic philosophy, goals, and methodology of both social action and community development approaches to organizing; considers the use of self in the organizing process, including roles and ethical dilemmas; examines and critiques different organizing models; introduces organizational building skills; and increases students’ abilities for developing effective organizational leadership, conducting action research, engaging in strategic analysis, and implementing direct action tactics. Lee Staples
Boston University, School of Social Work, MP795

Applied Macro Skills, Groups and Systems

 

Applied Macro Skills, Groups and Systems focuses on the development and staffing of various types of task groups in a range of settings. This course covers theory, knowledge, and skills related to task group development; leadership models; decision-making; conflict resolution; coalition building; lobbying and influencing legislation; electronic advocacy; press and media relations; conducting effective meetings; staffing governance boards; resolving common group problems; and working with multicultural groups. The course draws heavily from students' learning experiences in their current field placements (as well as employed positions, where applicable) and is conducted as an interactive seminar. Lee Staples
Brandeis University, Department of Sociology, Soc. 92A

Internships for Community Action and Social Change

 

The overall purpose for Sociology 92a: Internships for Community Action and Social Change is to help students learn how to become agents of social change through a combination of practical experiences in community based organizations, readings from major approaches to social change, and in-class reflection and discussion. Students will spend 8-10 hours/week working in an individually defined internship placement at a social change organization. Students will meet weekly as part of a seminar to reflect on their experiences in their internship placements while progressing through critical readings about different approaches to social change. Tom Shields
Brandeis University, Department of Sociology, Soc. 147A

Organizations and Social Change

This course introduces students to the study of contemporary organizations as agents and objects of democratic social change. Case studies are drawn from community organizations, schools, police departments, nonprofits, universities, government, unions, and corporations. Students will be actively engaged in presenting case studies and comparing different approaches to building new forms of leadership and problem solving. Carmen Sirianni
Brandeis University, Department of Sociology, Soc. 175B   

Civic Environmentalism

This course examines the civic side of environmentalism in the United States : the environmental movement and especially its innovative community - and place-based forms of protection and restoration. We look at a broad range of arenas, including watersheds, sustainable communities, environmental justice, ecosystem restoration, land trusts, ecosystem partnerships, community forests and farms. We examine environmental regulation, but focus particularly on those areas where community-based approaches are leading to regulatory innovations.  Carmen Sirianni
Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government, PAL 154M

Public Narrative: Identity, Agency, and Action

Public narrative is “action speech” – the discursive form in which individuals, communities, and nations construct identity, make choices, and inspire action. Because narrative engages the “heart”, it can both teach how we should act and motivate us to act. Students will learn the practice of public narrative based on psychological, philosophical, religious, literary, sociological and political texts; their life experience, and classroom exercises that can equip them to engage with the emotional foundations of values, choices and action. We will explore the role of narrative in public life, how it works, and why it works.  And we will focus on self-narrative, shared narrative, action narrative, and narrative conflict and development. Marshall Ganz
Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government, PAL 127M

Moral Leadership: Self, Other, and Action

"If I am not for myself, who will be for me? When I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, when?" - Hillel, 1st century Jerusalem sage (Pirke Avot). If we understand leadership as accepting responsibility to enable others to achieve purpose in the face of uncertainty, when is leadership behavior “moral”? Rabbi Hillel’s questions offer insight into this question by directing us to reflect on the interaction of self-understanding, our relationship with others, and action.  Marshall Ganz
Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government, PAL 177

Organizing: People, Power and Change

Students learn to view social, economic, and political problems from an organizer’s perspective and to act on these problems using a “praxis” of organizing: “mapping” power and interests, developing leadership, building relationships, motivating participation, devising strategy, and mobilizing action to create organizations and conduct campaigns. Principles common to community, electoral, union, and issue organizing are emphasized.  Marshall Ganz
Harvard University, School of Law, LAW-42300A

Responsibilities of Public Lawyers

Using case studies on lobbying, public conflict resolution, class-action litigation, community-based advocacy, and lawyering for the government, this course will explore the many tensions for public lawyers who advocate on behalf of individual clients, who seek to represent causes or the "public’s" interests or who engage in legislative advocacy, community organizing or alternative forms of problem-solving and deliberation. In particular, we will focus on the philosophical, ethical, strategic and identity or role conflicts that confront  lawyers as professionals and adversaries but also “public citizens.” Lani Guinier
Lehigh University, Department of Political Science, PS 326/426

Organizing for Democracy: A Democracy Workshop

The major aim of the course is to provide students with a hands-on learning experience that simultaneously provides community groups or potential groups with resources that will enable them to enhance their "voice" in the larger community.  It aims to be both a learn-by-doing practicum in political organizing, American politics, and democracy, and a seminar exploring issues of community organizing, democracy, empowerment, direct action, and the relation between these and the American political and economic system.  Edward P. Morgan
Tufts University, Department of Anthropology, ANTH 183

Urban  Borderlands: The Somerville  Community History Project

This course integrates academic learning and experiential learning in a community-based research project documenting Somerville ’s Latino community’s history of settlement and incorporation. In this way, students will familiarize themselves in a personal, experiential way with the impact of immigration from Latin America on US cities, and conversely, how Latino immigrants are adapting to life in urban areas.  Deborah Pacini-Hernandez
Tufts University, Department of Sociology, Soc. 111 (formerly Soc. 149)

Social Change and Community Organizing

Methods and approaches to grassroots community organizing in local settings. Theories of community and relationship to social change organizing Debates about civic engagement, democracy, and the role of  different kinds of organizing in building a just and democratic society. Fieldwork in local neighborhoods and community organizations, plus class projects connected to organizing.

Susan Ostrander
Tufts University, Department of Sociology, Soc. 130

Wealth, Poverty and Inequality

Study of socio-economic class, and intersections of class and race. Emphasis on understanding root causes of inequality from a sociological perspective. Some attention to policies and approaches to alleviating inequality toward a more just society. Focus on U.S. with some attention to global inequality. Students have option of community experience arranged by professor in local anti-poverty agency with substantial written reflection, integration with course materials, and analysis. Susan Ostrander
Tufts University, Department of Sociology, Soc. 184

Nonprofits, States and Markets

As welfare states decline, nonprofits are increasingly called upon to assume responsibility for public needs and provide opportunities for public dialogue and debate. Theories of nonprofits and civil society, relationships between nonprofits and government, nonprofit commercialization and entrepreneurship. Capacity building, governance, fundraising, accountability, and effectiveness. Option of case study of local nonprofit organization incorporating service. Course in upper division undergraduate and graduate seminar, cross-listed as Urban and Environmental Policy 273. Prior experience in a nonprofit is required.

Susan Ostrander
Tufts University, Peace and Justice Studies, PJS/IR 99 Internships

Transnational Social Movements: Strategies for Peace, Human Rights, Development, and Environment

This course combines an internship at a social movement organization (SMO) with a weekly seminar discussion.  The objective is an experiential investigation of SMO strategies and tactics as they interact with state, intergovernmental and civil society actors concerning transnational issues of development, environment, human rights, and peace.  Dale Bryan
Tufts University, Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning, UEP 0261-01

Community Development, Planning, and Politics

Exploration of planning and community development, neighborhood revitalization, and local politics. Provides an overview of select literature, key issues, and debates in community development. Opportunity to conduct research about specific neighborhood-based planning and policy issues. Guest speakers include practitioners involved with community development initiatives and projects in Boston and Massachusetts. James Jennings
 



CONTACT US|OUR NETWORK|BACK TO KSG

Copyright © 2005. Marshall Ganz. All rights reserved..
Please contact the webmaster with any questions, comments, suggestions, or contributions...