Community Leadership (CSL)

CSL 401 - Introduction to Community Service and Leadership

Credits: 4

Students are introduced to differing concepts of community and influence within communities, and to the challenges facing leaders within community organizations as they work to address key problems. All students participate in a significant community project which serves as the basis for both learning specific community organizing skills and for reflecting on the rewards and challenges of community leadership. Writing intensive.

Attributes: Social Science (Discovery); Writing Intensive Course

CSL 402 - Introduction to Nonprofit Organizations

Credits: 4

This practical course provides an overview of the unique responsibilities and practices needed to effectively manage a community-based nonprofit organization. Topics include: issues of organizational structure and staffing, strategic planning, board effectiveness, financial management, leadership roles and responsibilities, and public accountability.

CSL 403 - Organizing and Supervising Volunteers

Credits: 4

This course provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, organize, and manage effective volunteer programs. Topics covered include: identifying organizational volunteer needs, recruiting, supervising, and motivating volunteers, integrating volunteers into the overall goals and services of an organization, and creating effective volunteer training programs. Students will explore resources available for creating a successful volunteer program and will research the variety of approaches to volunteer management that organizations currently use. All students also volunteer with a community organization.

CSL 405 - Communication Within Communities

Credits: 4

This course focuses on the ways we influence--and are influenced by--others within the communities in which we live and participate. Students have the opportunity to analyze how a specific "real life" community issue is presented, interpreted, and resolved through various written and oral mediums. Additional coursework involves frequent writing and speaking assignments, with particular emphasis on the forms of persuasion that most commonly shape "community opinion." Students will also examine on-line forms of communication such as web sites and e-newsletters and contribute to at least one of these as a service to a community organization.

CSL 491 - Studies in Community Service and Leadership

Credits: 1-4

Students who have the ability and adequate preparation to work independently may propose a contract to design a course or research project on a topic not available through existing course offerings. The purpose of this research is to explore new areas in the student's field of study or to pursue course material in greater depth. Work is supervised by an appropriate faculty/staff member and credit varies depending on the proposed project/research. Areas may include a specific community leadership/organizing topic. Prereq: CSL 401 or equivalent.

CSL 492 - Studies in Community Service and Leadership

Credits: 1-4

Students who have the ability and adequate preparation to work independently may propose a contract to design a course or research project on a topic not available through existing course offerings. The purpose of this research is to explore new areas in the student's field of study or to pursue course material in greater depth. Work is supervised by an appropriate faculty/staff member and credit varies depending on the proposed project/research. Areas may include a specific community leadership/organizing topic. Prereq: CSL 401 or equivalent.

CSL 504 - Managing Change and Conflict in Communities

Credits: 4

This course examines a variety of approaches to promoting and responding to community change. Through active participation and analysis of specific community initiatives, students will explore such topics as issue-identification, planning for change, power dynamics and conflict within diverse groups, strategies for action, lobbying, and influencing political action. Prereq: CSL 401, permission.

CSL 506 - Literature of Family and Community

Credits: 4

Through a wide range of readings, primarily fiction, this course examines what it means to be an individual living in the context of family and community. Students use these readings both to examine differing concepts of community and to explore how individuals and groups respond to the challenges of creating as well as changing their communities. Coursework involves critical analysis, group-led discussions, and frequent short papers. Prereq: COM 211 or instructor permission. Wrinting intensive.

Attributes: Humanities(Disc); Writing Intensive Course

CSL 508 - Essentials of Fundraising for Community-Based Organizations

Credits: 2

The ability to raise funds is essential to all community-based and nonprofit organizations. This course is designed to provide students with the essential knowledge and skills to develop and execute a successful fundraising program. Topics covered include: prospect research, choosing fundraising strategies, common fundraising mistakes, maintaining relationships with donors, raising money by mail, personal solicitation, event planning, and other key approaches to raising money.

CSL 509 - Essentials of Grant Writing for Community-Based Organizations

Credits: 2

This course provides the information and skills necessary to research and apply for grants from government agencies, foundations, corporations, and other sources. Students will follow the process of grant-seeking from identifying need through application and follow up.

CSL 510 - Civic and Community Internship

Credits: 4

This internship is designed to promote experiential learning about community service and leadership through active involvement within a community organization. It provides students with an opportunity to build upon their skills and interests while developing an awareness of civic and community issues. In addition to participating in community projects, students are expected to reflect upon their experiences and to relate them to assigned reading. Each student will also complete a research project based on a problem encountered at the service site. Prereq: CSL 401 or permission of instructor. May be repeated for up to 8 credits.

CSL 520 - Capstone Seminar

Credits: 4

This seminar provides the opportunity for students in their final semester to synthesize their learning and skills as they broaden their understanding of the political and social policy dimensions of community organizing and leadership. Each student will engage in a significant service project that will serve as the focal point for both skill application and issue analysis. Prereq: CSL 401, CSL 402, CSL 403, and CSL 405.