Community Organizing and Community Organizations

This course will examine the historical development and contemporary practice of community organization. Students will examine why and how people in urban communities and neighborhoods have organized to protect their rights and their entitlements to public services; to acquire resources for development; and to improve their quality of life. Through readings, students will develop a historical and theoretical perspective on community organization and explore the range of issues around which communities organize. They will gain familiarity with various models and strategies of community organizations in New York City and will acquire practical knowledge and skills for effective grassroots organizing. They will also examine the effectiveness of coalitions and alliances, including relationships between community organizations, public agencies, and labor unions. Weekly sessions will periodically include guest speakers; site visits will be scheduled, allowing students to learn first-hand about specific strategies or issues. Following each guest presentation or site visit, students will submit brief reflection papers relating experiential leaning to theoretical concepts encountered in class readings.

Fall, Spring