Courses

By integrating theory with required community service, students explore how problems are shaped by cultural values and how alternative value paradigms affect the definition of problems in areas such as education and the environment. Students examine different approaches to solving problems and begin to envision new possibilities. Approved for arts and sciences CORE curriculum: ideals and values.

Designed to educate and inspire civic engagement primarily in the area of electoral politics. Examines various explanations of why people participate in the electoral process and whom they choose to support. Develops the practical skills necessary to participate successfully in the electoral arena. Through a service component, the course provides experience working on a campaign and mobilizing others to participate in the electoral process.

Educates and inspires students for civic engagement by exploring democratic values and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Develops theoretical knowledge and practical skills for participating in a diverse democratic society, especially at the state level, through analyzing legislative issues, making policy recommendations, and advocating for change. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: United States context.

Introduces the field of peace and conflict studies. Examines causes and dynamics of conflict and violence (interpersonal to global), peace institutions and research, peace movements, nonviolence, and careers in conflict resolution and peacemaking.

Examines concepts of activism, citizenship, democracy, power, and diversity through classroom discussions and participation in a local high school's Public Achievement project. Through community-based partnerships, students will develop leadership skills; dialogue with diverse groups of people; identify multiple perspectives around controversial issues; and learn to use research and writing to articulate public problems and advocate for their solutions. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Same as EDUC 2919.

Explores creative approaches for solving complex social and environmental issues, with a focus on peace and population. Students analyze the root causes of issues in theoretical and historical contexts, and develop their understanding of effective and innovative approaches to change. This course has a requirement of community service. Recommended prereq., upper-division status. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies.

Explores human development from a psychosocial perspective, focusing on the interplay between psychological patterns and social forms. Issues such as self-image and social consciousness are studied within the larger context of individual and collective forces leading to transformation. Prereqs., SOCY 1001, and SOCY 3001 or 3011, or instructor consent. Same as SOCY 3041.

Focuses on leadership theories and skills necessary for effectiveness in multicultural settings. Students gain understanding of traditional and culturally diverse approaches to leadership and change through comparative analyses of Western and non-Western theories and practices. Community service required. Same as ETHN 3201 and LDSP 3100. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: human diversity.

Students gain knowledge and skills that enable them to become effective facilitators of community goals. Focuses on understanding the processes of community building with a multicultural emphasis. Students are encouraged to apply concepts of life experiences and to examine themselves as potential change agents. Theory and summer experience are integrated. Prereq., admission to INVST. Coreq., INVS 3912. Same as WMST 3302.

Explores the world of international human rights with a focus on the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the evolution of human rights ideologies, social structures, technologies and strategies. Students examine the inter-relatedness and inter-dependence of human rights, and the work of non-governmental organizations as related to other institutions of civil society, national governments, and international bodies. Recommended prereq., INVS 1000. Approved for arts and sciences CORE curriculum: contemporary societies.

Examines grassroots democracy as a means for creating comprehensive, solution-based strategies to address social and environmental problems. Students develop an understanding of the use of democracy for positive social change, identify how changes are initiated within movements, and learn the theory and practice of effective and responsible change efforts.

Content varies depending on instructor. May provide an overview of the field, cover scientific, philosophical, or historical approaches, or analyze a specific substantive topic. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Junior or Senior).

Develops students' competencies as community leaders working for a just and sustainable world. Under the supervision of an instructor and a community supervisor, students learn organizational leadership skills by serving as volunteer staff members at community-based organizations. Prereq., admission into INVST CLP. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours.

Develops students' competencies as community leaders working for a just and sustainable world. Under the supervision of an instructor and a community supervisor, students learn organizational leadership skills by serving as volunteer staff members at community-based organizations. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours.

Exposes students to current issues in the political economy of development. Subjects range from globalization, democratization, and economic development. Specifically, the course explores the international and domestic determinants of economic development with special reference to currency markets, foreign direct investment, trade, and democratization. Prereqs., PSCI 2012 or IAFS 1000, ECON 2010 and 2020, and one upper-division PSCI course. Same as PSCI 4732. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies.

Explores theories of democracy and development in relation to movements for nonviolent social change. Focuses on means and ends, spirituality, leadership, decision-making, civil society, cooperative economics, ecology and decentralized powers. Restricted to senior SOCY/PSCI majors. Same as SOCY 4111.

Examines specific theoretical perspectives in peace and conflict studies and conducts in-depth research projects using a case-study approach. Emphasizes using critical thinking skills in writing and class discussion. Case study examples include: U.S. violence, peacemaking/keeping in ethnonationalist conflicts, environmental conflict resolution. Prereq., PACS 2500 or instructor consent. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Junior or Senior).

Develops students' expertise as community leaders. Under the supervision of an instructor and a community advisor, students design a community-based project. Prereqs., admission to INVST CLP, INVS 3931 and 3932. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours.

Develops students' expertise as community leaders working for a just and sustainable world. Under the supervision of an instructor and a community advisor, students learn organizational and leadership skills by designing, implementing and evaluating a community-based project. First-hand experience provides students with a deepened understanding of the complex issues facing humanity, and competence with solution-based strategies. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. INVS 4932 and LDSP 4932 are the same course.

INVS students participate in a service-learning practicum under the supervision of an INVS instructor. They explore teaching strategies for implementing concrete educational goals. Focusing on the issues of social justice and social change, they learn how to encourage higher levels of creativity and analysis among students. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Prereqs., INVS 3302, 3931/3932, 4931/4932 (min grade B-).