SOC: 531 Community Organization

1. SOC: 531 Community Organization Fall 2010 Hogan

2. About SOC 531 • This course has been taught for years • by Profesor Emeritus Harold Potter • who is still pursuing research on the origins environmentalism • the environmental movement • environmental science • environmental sociology

3. About 531 (continued) • Why this course is called Community Organization is a mystery to me • but it certainly was part of the old Social Organization (called "Structure and Process" at Purdue) section • when (in late 1970s) all sociology (at least at Michigan and at Purdue) was divided into three parts • social organization • social psychology • demography and ecology

4. SOC 531 (cont) • In keeping with tradition • I have not changed the name or number of this course • I have accepted a cart load of books and videos which my dear friend and colleague, Harry Potter, offered me when he was cleaning out his office • I will continue to focus on the social organization (or macro) aspects of community

5. About 531 (cont) • However, I will give this course my own stamp (or distinctive style) • the approach will be theoretical: what is a community? • the approach will be historical: we will start in the late nineteenth century and proceed to the 21st • we will read and write a lot • and I will try to get you engaged in the course

6. About 531 (cont) • Engaging the student • first, I will try to learn your names and will institute a seating chart for that purpose • second, I will encourage you to talk in class • by asking questions • by enduring awkward silences • by forming small groups for more intimate discussion • third, I will ask you to write about something that interests you

7. About Soc 531 • If you are not interested in these questions • What is a community? • What are community studies? • How are communities established? • How and why do communities change? • Then you should look for a different 500 level SOC course (e.g., 525: Social Movements)

8. SOC 531 (cont) • Alternatively, even if you don't like theory or history • And you don't like the questions • You might be interested in a community • where you live (West Lafayette) • where you grew up (San Diego) • where you would like to visit (Madison, WI) • where your anscestors lived (Limerick, Ireland)

9. SOC 531 (cont) • This course will offer you the opportunity to do some research • you will read classic studies • you will read the best of latest crop of award-winning community studies people • you will be encouraged to read more of both • you will also be encouraged to gather information on your own

10. SOC 531 (cont) • The rules are simple • read the syllabus for the details • come to class prepared to discuss • assigned readings • topics (four questions and previous discussions) • assigned writing (what you have actually written and I have commented on and returned to you) • your community or community study or whatever you intend to write about for your final paper

11. Questions? • We will populate the website with stuff that you and I produce • I will also ask my students, colleagues, and friends to allow me to share stuff that they have produced • Is there anything else I can tell you today?