Class Descriptions

Community & Neighborhood Development

SW651

Credits:	3
Prerequisites:	None

Pathway Associations

Community Change	Elective (Host)
Global
Interpersonal Practice
Mgmt & Leadership
Policy & Political
Program Evaluation
Older Adults
Children & Families

Course Description

This course examines methods of community and neighborhood development as a process in which people join together and develop community-based programs and services at the local level to create community change, with or without assistance by outside agencies. It emphasizes ways in which residents can take initiative, contribute to collective action, and help themselves through community-based business and economic development, health and human services, popular education, and housing and neighborhood revitalization projects. Special emphasis will explore innovative approaches to community and neighborhood development including the role of time banks, cooperatives, and alternative economic models. The course will examine the history of community and economic development injustices, including issues of redlining, segregation, and urban and rural disinvestment. It will also explore innovative examples and models of community neighborhood development including community-benefit agreements development and new models of participatory planning and community-led resident economic developments. Emphasis will be placed on participatory planning processes with marginalized and oppressed groups and understanding the importance of entering communities both from an insider and outsider perspective.

Objectives

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Identify the changing context of community and neighborhood development, including the social, political, and economic forces affecting communities at their diverse constituencies relevant to ability, age, class, color, culture, ethnicity, family structure, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), marital status, national origin, race, religion or spirituality, sex, and sexual orientation, as well community of residence". (Practice Behaviors 4.CO, 9.CO)
2. Assess the needs and assets of low income communities as defined by the communities themselves. (Practice Behaviors 10.a.CO, 10.b.CO)
3. Develop knowledge of traditional and innovative approaches to community and neighborhood development.
4. Analyze organized efforts by community residents to increase interaction, take initiative, plan programs, and help themselves through community-based business and economic development, health and human services, housing and neighborhood revitalization, with or without assistance from outside agencies and practitioners. (Practice Behaviors 10.c.CO, 10.d.CO)
5. Develop practical skills needed for community and neighborhood development in diverse communities e.g., assessing community needs and assets, power structure analysis, finding and developing leaders that represent diverse constituencies, building organizational capacity and institutional structures, researching local history, and popular education). (Practice Behaviors 1.CO, 4.CO, 10.a.CO)
6. Analyze the roles and responsibilities of community development workers as facilitators of efforts by communities to empower themselves, including the importance of entering communities both from an insider and outsider perspective
7. Understand and recognize Recognize and address ethical and value issues which arise in community development practice situations. (Practice Behavior 1.CO)

Intensive Focus on Privilege, Oppression, Diversity and Social Justice (PODS)

This course integrates PODS content and skills with a special emphasis on the identification of theories, practice and/or policies that promote social justice, illuminate injustices and are consistent with scientific and professional knowledge. Through the use of a variety of instructional methods, this course will support students developing a vision of social justice, learn to recognize and reduce mechanisms that support oppression and injustice, work toward social justice processes, apply intersectionality and intercultural frameworks and strengthen critical consciousness, self-knowledge and self-awareness to facilitate PODS learning.