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The Community Service Studies (CSS) Minor is a multidisciplinary program that provides a framework for understanding and engaging in critical social issues at the level of community. While the notion of community is increasingly complex, the program explores the nuances of community as defined through the lens of groups with common affiliation, identity, or grievance that may be geographically or non-geographically based. The curriculum relies heavily on community-based service learning courses and is designed to provide students with a foundation of analytical, reflective, interpersonal, and leadership skills. Through supporting university partnerships with Chicago-area community-based organizations, students gain a local perspective on social justice issues, including those built on race, class, and gender inequalities and other forms of social, economic and political exclusion.

The practice of service is often shaped by particular economic and cultural circumstances related to power, privilege, and identity. A central component of CSS is the importance of viewing communities through an asset lens and thus working to support existing community strengths rather than responding to needs. Students minoring in CSS therefore develop strong critical self-reflection skills that guide them as future leaders in making ethical and socially responsible decisions.

Course Requirements

Course Title Quarter Hours
CSS 201CRITICAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT4
CSS 302ASSET-BASED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY SERVICE 4
CSS 395COMMUNITY INTERNSHIP4
Select one EL-CbSL (community-based service learning) course from the Approved Electives list4
Select two electives from the Approved Electives list8

Approved Electives

Course Title Quarter Hours
Select two electives as noted above:8
BLACK FEMINIST THEORIES IN A U.S. CONTEXT 1
SPECIAL TOPICS
MURAL PAINTING 1
COMMUNITY VIDEO PRODUCTION 1
STUDENTS TEACHING ART IN THE ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM 1
SERVICE LEARNING IN THE ARTS INTERNSHIP 1
COMMUNITY-BASED APPLIED PRACTICE
ROMAN CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT IN CONTEXT
CONTEMPORARY MORAL ISSUES
GOD, JUSTICE AND REDEMPTIVE ACTION
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF VINCENT DE PAUL
NOTABLE VINCENTIAN WOMEN
LIBERATION THEOLOGY: THEORY AND PRACTICE 1
SPECIAL TOPICS IN CATHOLIC THOUGHT
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN WORLD POLITICS
COMMUNICATION, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY 1
SOCIAL MOVEMENTS
GENDER AND COMMUNICATION
COMMUNITY JOURNALISM
CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING AND REFLECTION
INTRODUCTION TO NON-PROFIT MANAGEMENT
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE: ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PRISON
MASCULINITY, JUSTICE AND LAW
LAW AND POLITICS: PRISON POLICIES AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
COMMUNITY-BASED TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS
INDEPENDENT STUDY
COMMUNITY FOOD SYSTEMS
URBAN AND COMMUNITY AGRICULTURE
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND ADVOCACY
URBAN GEOGRAPHY - EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS II: COMMUNITY GIS
SEMINAR IN SELECTED TOPICS (Sustainable Urban Food Systems)
HONORS SENIOR SEMINAR IN SERVICE LEARNING 1
CONSTRUCTING LATINO COMMUNITIES
LATINO COMMUNITIES IN CHICAGO
GROWING UP LATINO/LATINA IN THE U.S. 1
MOTHERHOOD IN LATINO COMMUNITIES 1
COMMUNITIES WORKING FOR SUSTAINABLE JUSTICE AND PEACE: SERVICE IN CHICAGO AND THE U.S. 1
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL CHANGE
SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE
ANALYZING POVERTY, ITS CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES
PHILOSOPHY AND SOCIAL CHANGE
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
AFRICAN-AMERICAN POLITICS
URBAN POLITICS
POLITICAL ACTION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE 1
CAMPAIGNS AND SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT
INEQUALITY IN AMERICAN SOCIETY
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN WORLD POLITICS
ETHICS IN WORLD POLITICS
THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
LATINX PSYCHOLOGY
PSYCHOLOGY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE 1
SERVICE LEARNING 1
CONNECTING WITH YOUTH THROUGH RESEARCH, ADVOCACY, AND SERVICE: QUARTER I
CONNECTING WITH YOUTH THROUGH RESEARCH, ADVOCACY, AND SERVICE: QUARTER 2
CONNECTING WITH YOUTH THROUGH RESEARCH, ADVOCACY, AND SERVICE: QUARTER 3
RELIGION AND SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT 1
ROMAN CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT IN CONTEXT
FEMINIST ETHICS
LIBERATION THEOLOGY 1
SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL WELFARE
COMMUNITY AND SOCIETY
RACE AND ETHNICITY IN THE CITY
RESISTING WHITE SUPREMACY
SOCIAL INEQUALITY
COMMUNITY BASED SOCIOLOGY
INTERNSHIP (upon approval) 1
INTERMEDIATE SPANISH l: SERVICE LEARNING 1
INTERMEDIATE SPANISH II: SERVICE LEARNING 1
INTERMEDIATE SPANISH III: SERVICE LEARNING 1
SOCIOLINGUISTICS OF HERITAGE LANGUAGE LITERACY
LATINO MEDIA AND DIGITAL CULTURE LITERACY
LATINO CULTURAL LITERACY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
FEMINIST THEORIES
GENDER, VIOLENCE AND RESISTANCE
TRANSFORMATIVE JUSTICE: THEORY AND PRACTICE
TEEN VIOLENCE PREVENTION
WOMEN, SELF, AND SOCIETY SEMINAR
WRITING AND SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT
1

EL-CbSL course.

Study Abroad Courses

Several Study Aboard experiences may be used to fulfill one or more course requirements for the Minor. Approval of these trips for the Minor must be obtained in consultation with the Director.