CME 505G - Community Organizing

Credits: 2

This course introduces and examines the notion of community organizing: bringing people together to address pressing social issues and conditions. The course engages both the larger issues of a democratic citizenry and related issues of equity and inclusivity; and deeply pragmatic and strategic issues such as community outreach and mobilization, leadership development, relationship building, and power dynamics. The course will explore both historical and contemporary case studies, as well as help provide practical and organizational skills in community building, capacity development, and collective action. Given that community organizing is an inherently political process, attention will also be devoted to understanding the nature of individual, small group, and organizational structures and dynamics and the role of strategy, organization, empowerment, and leadership.