COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND ACTION (CDA)
Offered in: Chicago
CDA 401 - INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of community development. Students acquire a basic understanding of community development theories, processes, and approaches. In this course, community development interventions are understood as activities to facilitate, strengthen, and improve less-advantaged communities, empower their residents to define and participate in the development process, and interact in larger social, political, and economic systems on behalf of the community. Special emphasis will be placed on several foundational issues in community development: defining community, defining community development, and various community development theories. After gaining this base, we focus on substantive issues that encompass the community development field, including community organizing, community based organizations, housing, economic development, social and physical capital, citizen participation, social welfare, asset-based approaches, 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