Class Descriptions

Orientation Seminar for the Community Scholars Program

SW610

Course Description

This seminar will provide an orientation to community-based practice and the Community Scholars Program. It will examine core concepts, practice methods, curricular competencies and course content, including Community Scholars as a special program for building capacity and creating change at the community level.

Upon completion of the seminar, students will be able to:
- Understand basic concepts of place and community-based practice.
- Describe the resources relevant to the Community Scholars Program
- Build community with other students in the Community Scholars Program
- Develop familiarity with the history of Detroit, MI to understand present-day community issues and change efforts happening in the City. Students will specifically learn how systems of oppression (colonialism, racism) contribute to the construction of communities and places.

We will use mini-lectures, discussions, field trips, and media to discuss the issues covered in this seminar. This seminar is designed to introduce students to key concepts and the history of Detroit to support the learning happening during field placements and within the classroom.