2018-2019 Academic Catalog

CDA 401 - INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

This introductory course provides an overview of community development, understood as activities and practices that strengthen economically struggling communities, enhance community resources, empower citizens to define and participate in development processes and the larger social, political, and economic systems. Emphasis is placed on community organizing and citizen participation, community-based organizations and institutions, housing, education, and capital and assess-based approaches to community development.

Credits: 3

CDA 402 - SOCIAL POLICIES, WELFARE THEORIES, AND COMMUNITIES

This course offers a critical examination of fundamental issues related to community, identity, and social solidarity. The course also focuses on the history of social policy and public welfare from the New Deal era down to present neoliberal economic restructuring. The course examines the contradictions and contemporary crisis of neoliberalism and the prospects of new movements for social justice.

Credits: 3

CDA 403 - THEORIES OF URBAN PLANNING AND DESIGN

This course is an introduction to urban planning. Students will be introduced to the history and theory of urban planning in the U.S., correspondences and tensions between them, the changing nature of planning, and intersections of the power, economy, ideology, and choice (ethics).

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: CDA 401

CDA 404 - COMMUNITY & REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

This course introduces students to the theories, strategies, and techniques of local and regional economic analysis, planning, and development. Application of frameworks for community development and decision-making models will be explored through case studies and class exercises, and/or fieldwork.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: CDA 401

CDA 408 - QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS

This course provides an overview of the philosophical assumptions, interpretive frameworks, methods, and best practices associated with qualitative research design and inquiry.

Credits: 3

CDA 480 - RESEARCH METHODS

This course is designed to teach the logic of research design and basics for conducting and interpreting research. It is a broad overview of the fundamentals of social science research as well as the various methods of sociological research.

Credits: 3

CDA 486 - APPLIED SOCIAL STATISTICS

This is an introductory course in applied social statistics primarily for students in sociology, community development and action, or related social sciences. It is designed to help students learn the basic concepts of statistics and statistical methods of analysis and their usefulness in a wide variety of real-world applications.

Credits: 3

CDA 490 - CAPSTONE:COMM ACTION RSCH PROJ

Independent research project that serves as the capstone experience for the Community Development and Action graduate program.

Credits: 6

Attributes: Social Science

CDA 494 - INTERNSHIP

Internship with a local organization involving work in community development/action. An internship requires working the equivalent of 8 hours/week (10 hours summer) for a total of at least 120 hours at the site of the selected organization. Students will meet the internship requirements of the department (e.g., journal, final paper). Offered in conjunction with faculty advisor, by faculty consent, and requires an advanced signed contract.

Credits: 3

Attributes: Social Science

Course Notes: Instructor consent.

CDA 495 - INDEPENDENT STUDY

Pursuit of individually selected topics. Topic may not be part of regular curriculum; student must demonstrate significant interest and preparation for study.

Credits: 1-6

Attributes: Social Science

Course Notes: Instructor consent