Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This interdisciplinary seminar provides an integrative framework for students engaged in community service and cooperative education work. It focuses on social interaction, group and organizational processes, and public policies related to service, advocacy, and social change placements. Co-Requisite: Enrollment in at least 1 hour Soc/PS280A, or PS280C.

1.
Demonstrate the ability to communicate and work effectively in a range of organizational frameworks engaged in service, advocacy, and social change.
2.
Demonstrate increased effective personal involvement in community issues and public policy.
3.
Develop interpersonal, organizational, and political skills to advance individual and collective interests.

Course activities can include a variety of readings, discussions, field experiences, interviews, case studies, problem-solving analyses, group and individual exercises, and reflective journals related to the course content.

Outcomes can be assessed through a variety of individual and group projects, presentations, case studies, field research, and reflective journals.

1.Developing active listening and communication skills
2.Understanding the helping relationship, and developing basic helping skills
3.Building community and promoting empowerment
4.Practicing mediation, principled negotiation, and alternatives to adversarial conflict
5.Analyzing group and organizational processes, and learning how to work effectively in diverse contexts
6.Exploring the dynamics of service, advocacy, and social change organizations
7.Developing basic political lobbying skills
8.Exploring the process of developing, implementing, and influencing public policy
9.Exploring values and ethics involved in professional service, advocacy, and social change work
10. Appreciating diversity and working effectively with diverse populations