Community Organization

Catalog description

Community organizing and community social work have historically been and continue to be an essential part of social work. Community organizing is rooted in the values of the social work profession and provides a practical framework for movements toward social and economic justice at a community level. Community organizing can be seen as one tool to redress imbalances between individual and communities experiencing oppression, and structures, institutions and people administering power over them. Essential to the success of community organizing is an understanding and ongoing practice of intersectionality, self reflection, and authentic listening - all of which will be central themes of this course. This elective will offer the student an overview of how methods of community organizing accomplish goals that are relevant to social workers, how to develop a personal narrative and practice for community work, as well as opportunities to practice the skills and strategies of community organizing in the real world. The course is divided into four sections: (1) History: Movements, Power, and Organizing; (2) Self: Personal Narrative, Reflection, & Organizing Practice; (3) Community: Social Services & Community Organizing; (4) Practice: Organizing in Action.