Students may select advocacy and leadership-related courses in anthropology, geography, political science, sociology, and social science. Please see an advisor for more information.
Students must take two survey courses:
POL 311 and SOC 311 are cross-listed sections of the same course. POL 343 and SOC 343 are also cross-listed sections of the same course. For cross-listed courses, students may choose one section, but not both.
This course examines the theories, current trends and practical dimensions of how people with common goals and grievances organize themselves to effect change. Topics include the nature of community organizing, organizing models from a variety of cultural and historic traditions, practical approaches to identifying issues, bringing constituencies together and nurturing grass roots leadership, and choosing and implementing effective strategies and tactics. Case studies include organizing projects in communities of race and ethnicity, social class and gender.
Full course description for Community Organizing and Social Action
Democratic governments are assumed to be more legitimate than and preferable to other forms of government due to their openness and responsiveness to citizen influence. Yet many citizens and residents in the United States express feelings of powerlessness when it comes to influencing legislators and engaging in politics. In this course, students will learn about the state legislative process in Minnesota and develop a wide range of democratic skills necessary for becoming citizen advocates and influencing elected officials. Over the course of the semester, students will identify an issue area they want to work in; choose legislation related to that issue area to advocate for; identify and build relationships with community organizations working in the issue area; work in coalition with at least one community organization; develop a range of political communication materials for influencing legislators; and meet with state legislators to advocate for their preferred policies. The…
Full course description for Advocating and Making Change
This class will examine theories and models of community development, and introduce students to the realities of community development work. The course explores the history of the community development field from its origins in the late 19th-century urbanization through present innovations fueled by grassroots, foundations and public policy initiatives. The lens of movement and industry approaches will be a key analytical tool. Three traditions in the field community building, community organizing, and community development will be critically examined and compared, including exploring the dynamic relationship between these three traditions. Special attention will be given to community development challenges facing traditionally disenfranchised communities, including factors of race, class and gender. The class will emphasize both a theoretical understanding of community dynamics, ad an introduction to practical skills used by people working in the community development field.
Full course description for Perspectives on Community Development
This course examines the theories, current trends and practical dimensions of how people organize to effect change. Topics include the nature of community organizing, cultural and historical models, issue identification, leadership development, approaches to social power, campaign planning and implementation, and the relationship of community organizing to other forms of social action. The class is participatory and includes intense interpersonal and reflective exercises designed to increase students organizing skills. Students will supplement classroom learning with a case study of a Metro area community organization.
Full course description for Community Organizing and Social Action
This class will examine theories and models of community development, and introduce students to the realities of community development work. The course explores the history of the community development field from its origins in the late 19th-century urbanization through present innovations fueled by grassroots, foundations and public policy initiatives. The lens of movement and industry approaches will be a key analytical tool. Three traditions in the field community building, community organizing, and community development will be critically examined and compared, including exploring the dynamic relationship between these three traditions. Special attention will be given to community development challenges facing traditionally disenfranchised communities, including factors of race, class and gender. The class will emphasize both a theoretical understanding of community dynamics, ad an introduction to practical skills used by people working in the community development field.
Full course description for Perspectives on Community Development
All social science majors must complete all four core courses (SSCI 300, SSCI 311, SSCI 411, and SSCI 451/452). Sequencing: SSCI 300, SSCI 311, SSCI 411, and SSCI 451 or SSCI 452. Social science majors may take one core course at a time. Alternatively, majors may take SSCI 300 and SSCI 311 concurrently, or they may take SSCI 311 and SSCI 411 concurrently. SSCI 300, 311, and 411 must be completed before beginning a capstone class (SSCI 451 or 452).
FIRST:
Most of us are only dimly aware of how politics, culture, and society influence, and often coerce, our daily lives. The calling of a social scientist is to help us make these invisible social structures visible. In this course, students develop the skills and tools to discover, analyze, and interpret these obscure social processes. Ideally, this knowledge will have a liberating effect on their individual lives. Students will also perceive how their civic and ethical participation can change politics, culture, and society, as well as themselves.
Full course description for Seeing Like a Social Scientist
THEN:
This course provides an introduction to the basic concepts of social science research. Students learn and implement a variety of research methods, and critically reflect on the relationship of these methods to philosophical traditions within social science. The courses examines two approaches to social science research, quantitative and qualitative, and the unique contribution of each approach for understanding social life. Experiential activities enhance classroom learning.
Full course description for Research Methods in Social Science
THEN:
Social scientists study the world so that we may take informed action to solve social problems. In
this class, students explore how theory contributes to solving social problems. Students will learn
how theorists identify and analyze social problems, as well as offer potential solutions. Special
emphasis will be placed on some of the most contested and controversial social problems of our
time, such as neoliberalism and its role in deepening economic inequality, climate collapse, and the
erosion of democracy globally. Students will also explore issues such as identity politics and
oppression based on identity categories, which may include race, gender, sexuality, ability, and
nationality. Students will consider how theory helps us to envision and pursue a more just, humane,
and sustainable world.
Full course description for Theory and Social Problems
THEN:
Social scientists investigate the patterns of human interactions and then seek to interpret, explain and communicate human behavior. This seminar is designed to provide a final, integrating experience for students with a social science major. Seminar participants complete a senior project that demonstrates an ability to design a study, collect new or existing data, analyze those findings and communicate the results.
Full course description for Empirical Research Capstone
OR:
The social sciences have been shaping our understanding of the human condition for 175 years. Students will be comparing and evaluating ideas that continue to engage and perplex thoughtful public intellectuals. The capstone project involves researching an idea that remains disputable. The goal of a student's thesis is an independent interpretation of a specific concept.
Full course description for Conceptual Research Capstone
Students may select any of the following 300-level electives.
This course uses the current campaign as the basis for studying voter behavior, polling, the impact and role of the media, political parties, and general election strategy on behavior. Special emphasis is placed on the role of race, class and gender in shaping political participation. Campaign involvement is encouraged.
Full course description for Elections and Political Parties
This course explores the way in which our policing and punishment policies affect democratic decision-making and vice-versa. The central question considered is this: How do our policing and imprisonment practices affect democratic legitimacy in the United States? To answer this question, students will examine theories of participatory democracy that link widespread political participation to democratic legitimacy. Students will then consider the interconnections between several important public institutions such as the police, prisons, schools, voting, elections, and the interest group system. Significant focus is given to issues of race and racism.
Full course description for Democracy, Politics, and Punishment
This course explores the contrasts and inter-relationships between three approaches to organizing our public life: democratic politics, economic markets, and the multiple associations that make up civil society. Students will investigate the basic characteristics and underlying principles of each approach and apply what they learn to an analysis of contemporary public issues. Students will evaluate the basic strengths and limits of each approach to civic engagement and public problem solving, and reflect on the ethical dimensions of their roles as citizens, consumers and members of civil society.
Full course description for Capitalism, Democracy, and Inequality
POL 319 and SOC 319 are cross-listed sections of the same course. POL 381 and SOC 381 are also cross-listed sections of the same course. For cross-listed courses, students may choose one section, but not both.
