MSHR 512Comm Org,Com Rsrch, Hum Rights

Catalog

In this course, students deepen and learn to deploy the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired in prior semesters to support local communities. Students will become familiar with human rights-based approaches to community organizing. Students learn to understand perennial concerns of disenfranchised communities, including access to adequate healthcare, housing, and food, as human rights issues. They learn how to use the language and logic of human rights to advocate for disenfranchised groups. Students acquire practical knowledge of the nuts and bolts of community organizing, including the identification of issues, research, fundraising, recruitment, alliance building, as well as campaign planning and strategy through readings, workshop style exercises, and guest speakers from local organizations. Finally, students are introduced to community organizing history, both in the U.S. and in other countries.