Community Studies Concentration
Coordinator:
Barton Parks, Justice and Policy Studies Department
This new field of study and practice arises from a pervasive sense of disconnection and isolation that has become widespread in American culture. Focusing on building community, the field understands our society's institutions as on a path of systematically undermining respectful and authentic relatedness among citizens. It also sees this path as the source of many growing pathologies, including individual and systematic prejudice and discrimination, and many forms of violence.
Currently, the need for community-building has begun to gain the attention and imagination of many inside and outside the academy. As new disciplines emerge and diverse technological and other forms of expertise expand, we are becoming aware that we still lack the ability to build sustainable systems that enable our endeavors to thrive.
The concentration in Community Studies is not available to Community and Justice Studies majors.
Requirements
Four courses (16 credit hours) are required to complete the concentration, three required and one elective:
The three required courses are:
- JPS 103: Community Problem Solving
- JPS 220: Community Building Fundamentals
- JPS 439: Understanding Oppressive Systems
Select one course from the following:
- JPS 290: Internship
- JPS 320: Ethics in Justice and Policy Studies
- JPS 424: Trust and Violence
- PHIL 377: Autonomy and Authenticity
- PSY/SOAN 213: Class, Race, and Gender
- SOAN 345: Personal and Social Change