Syllabus - CRD 149: Community Development Perspectives on Environmental Justice

Source: University of California, Davis
Program: Department of Human & Community Development
Course: CRD 149: Community Development Perspectives on Environmental Justice
Instructor: Professor Jonathan London

Description

Environmental justice refers simultaneously to a vibrant and growing academic research field, a system of social movements aimed at addressing various environmental and social inequalities, and public policies crafted to ameliorate conditions of environmental and social injustice. Over the last 30 years, environmental justice movements have grown from combating environmental racism in the United States to an influential global phenomenon on environmental inequality organized across multiple spatial scales, issue foci, and populations. Environmental justice research has also undergone spectacular growth and diffusion in the last three decades. The field now draws on and enriches many different academic disciplines including geography, urban planning, public health, law, ethnic studies, and public policy. This course explores the histories, policies, and innovations associated environmental justice movements in the United States and around the world.

Syllabus - CRD157: Politics & Community Development

Source: University of California, Davis
Program: Department of Human & Community Development
Course: CRD157: Politics & Community Development
Instructor: Dr. Clare Cannon

Description

A guiding question throughout the semester for this course will be: In what ways can study of interlocking social, political, economic, and environmental forces bolster our understandings of issues of injustice and inequalities?

To answer this question and ones like it, we will analyze key relationships among political, economic, sociocultural and environmental forces shaping the form and function of local communities in the U.S. and globally. To this end, we will carefully examine theories of the state, the community and social change and accompanying methodologies to more fully understand social contexts and structures in which we are embedded. This course covers an extensive array of theories and practices within sociology, political economy, environmental studies, and social and political theory more broadly. Bolstering our understanding, we will engage case studies of community development through local and global perspectives.

As we move through foundational thinkers, Marx, Weber, Durkheim and contemporary work in the field (e.g. Foster, Freudenburg, and Bullard), we will investigate key concepts, such as what constitutes environment-social interactions, what is sustainability, how are social inequalities created and sustained across regional differences. Furthermore, we will seek connections between political, sociocultural, economic, and environmental forces and other critical concerns across race, class, gender, and resulting inequalities. To achieve this understanding, we will look at the political, economic, ecological, and social justice aspects of environment-society interactions across case studies of community development. This course provides students with the conceptual tools for work in politics and community development and to make connections across this field to other critical forms of knowledge production.

Syllabus - CRD 002: Ethnicity and American Communities

Source: University of California, Davis
Program: Department of Human & Community Development
Course: CRD 002: Ethnicity and American Communities
Instructor: Dr. Lawrence Torry Winn, PhD and JD

Description

Since 1950, American communities (neighborhoods, schools, organizations, etc.) have become more diverse and multicultural. There has been an increased belief in the notion of a post-racial society, i.e. race is not a major concern. However, within the past decade a plethora of defining racial events and persistent racial disparities have plagued the United States. Although many of us live, learn, and work in ethnically diverse settings and have colleagues and friends from different socioeconomic backgrounds, we often do not have the time or opportunity to critically analyze issues of race, social identity, oppression, privilege, and class.

“Ethnicity and American Communities” is designed to create a learning environment where students explore and examine recent racial issues. The course provides a historical overview of concepts, theories, policies, and laws, which have influenced race-relations in present-day America. We will examine the impact that systems of oppression have on historically marginalized groups (Native Americans, African Americans, Latinos, South East Asians, etc.) and the ways in which these same systems maintain privilege and opportunities for others. We will read and discuss a host of alarming trends including mass incarceration, under-resourced schools, the privatization of public goods, and overly aggressive policing of communities of color. The ultimate goal of this course is to provide students with a historical analysis of race and ethnicity so that they can develop critical and multiple perspectives needed to build democratic societies.

Syllabus - CRD154: Social Theory, Inequality, and Community Change

Source: University of California, Davis
Program: Community & Regional Development
Course: CRD154 - Social Theory, Inequality, and Community Change 
Instructor: Dr. William Lacy, Professor of Sociology, Department of Human Ecology 

Description

This interdisciplinary course has both theoretical and applied dimensions and analyzes principles and practices of community change and development. Using current research on community development, students will have a chance to apply the major concepts as they conduct a case study of the students’ communities of reference. The course begins with definitions of community and the contribution of community capitals to community well-being. The course will relate community development approaches to conceptual models from diverse disciplines. Students will be exposed to professional practice principles and will leave the course having examined the seven capitals in their community as a basis for community improvement through the practice of community development. 

Syllabus - MCD 5140: Regional Development & Sustainability

Date: Summer 2019
Source: University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture
Program: Master of Community Development
Course: MCD 5140 - Regional Development & Sustainability
Instructor: Sarida Scott, Executive Director, Community Development Advocates of Detroit

Description

This course examines the formation of metropolitan regions – how they begin, grow, decline and grow again – and the related systems and policy issues. It will explore the ways we have defined regions and how the interrelated aspects impact community development, growth and investment. Analysis will include racial dynamics and use of specific, Detroit-focused case studies. This exploration will also take into context the MCD approach to theory and practice of community development with a foundation of service, social justice and sustainability, and integration of the HOPE model.

Syllabus - MCD 5120: Environmental, Social and Economic Justice

Date: Winter 2018
Source: University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture
Program: Master of Community Development
Course: MCD 5120 - Environmental, Social and Economic Justice
Instructor: Dr. Gloria Albrecht, Dr. Greg Banazak

Description

This course examines the contested meanings of social justice within the U.S., a society which understands itself to be a liberal democracy that values “liberty and justice for all.” This course will raise questions about the ethical adequacy of existing social norms (legal and ethical) by examining concrete social, economic and environmental issues related to the dehumanizing conditions that shape communities of marginalized people in the U.S., disproportionately persons of colors, as well as women and children of every race. The question “are we a just society?” can only be answered by (a) knowing what is going on and (b) applying a concept of justice. What you (or I) think is “just” is influenced by what we think is going on. So, what do you know? Why (or how) do you “know” that? And, what do you mean by “justice”? In addition to our assigned readings, the city of Detroit and its people will be a living text.

This course is shaped by a specific theory of knowledge (epistemology) called “critical theory.” Critical theory argues that in an unequal society dominant knowledge, including social norms, public policies and what is assumed to be common sense, has been, and is being, socially constructed by privileged social groups. Therefore, this course will intentionally introduce contesting subordinate (subjugated) knowledges from marginalized voices and from those who are committed to the empowerment of such voices. Methods and principles involved in doing social ethics, that is, for evaluating whether a society is just, will also be explored. Guest speakers will be invited to provide links to local community issues and activism.

Syllabus - MCD 5100: Role of Diversity & Multiculturalism in Community Development

Date: Winter 2019
Source: University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture
Program: Master of Community Development
Course: MCD 5100 - Role of Diversity & Multiculturalism in Community Development
Instructor: Lara Wasner, M.A.

Description

This course is designed to explore the role of diversity and multiculturalism on community development. Cultural identity provides the foundation for an in-depth exploration of various aspects of diversity related to individuals, organizations, communities, and physical environments. Culturally-based needs assessment is used to increase understanding related to community design and the influence of diversity in community development, specifically focusing on human services and community organizations. Awareness-raising experiences will be utilized in order to further promote cultural awareness and sensitivity.

Syllabus - MCD 5028: Civic Engagement and the Participatory Process in Community Development

Date: Summer 2019
Source: University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture
Program: Master of Community Development
Course: MCD 5028 - Civic Engagement and the Participatory Process in Community Development
Instructor: Ceara O’Leary

Description

This seminar examines the recent history, theory and practice of community engagement in design and development. Coursework will emphasize effective methods for civic engagement and include case studies and guest speakers from Detroit and beyond. Civic engagement enables communities to directly participate in decision-making impacting their neighborhoods, resulting in more responsive and responsible projects. A robust system of civic engagement contributes to community capacity building and long-term change. An examination of the history and theory of civic engagement in community development and design will commence with the era of Urban Renewal and Civil Rights. Strategies and principles for effective engagement will draw from historical precedent as well as local and national projects, including current efforts in Detroit. Readings will include both case studies and process documentation.

This course seeks to enable architects and community developers to be more responsible professionals by unpacking how and why civic engagement strengthens community development and design processes. The objective of the course is to prepare MCD and Architecture students as they embark on research, design and development projects that are rooted in communities by equipping students with meaningful methods for civic engagement.