Community Organizing Theory and Practice
Professor Daniel HoSang
This course focuses broadly on the history of social movements, social change efforts and community organizing, both in U.S. and in other countries. The course helps students engage several fundamental questions: What is community organizing and how can we trace its origins and development in the US? What key assumptions lie at the center of this approach to social and political change, and what differences and divisions characterize the field? How does race, class, gender, sexuality, neighborhood and nation shape different organizing traditions? Finally, what role has research and knowledge production played in community organizing history and practice. Across the term, the course pays particular attention to the ways that race, class, gender, sexuality, indigeneity and other forms of difference shape privilege and power. Many of the class sessions incorporate small group activities and other collaborative approaches and activities.
Final Projects
Over the course of the semester, students were paired with community-based organizing groups to complete a research project. Read about them here.
Speaker Sessions
Organizers from a wide range of backgrounds and focus areas came to share about their work and discuss questions with students. Click on one to learn more.
Student Insights