COMMUNITY POWER AND GRASS ROOTS POLITICS

POLISCI 851

Why do people mobilize outside of routine political channels or institutions to pursue political change? How do we explain moments when people take to the streets or take up arms to accomplish their political goals? At the heart of these questions is one that has long formed a core of social science inquiry: how do scholars explain collective action, particularly in the face of often serious risks. Examine these questions through exploring leading theoretical themes in the study of social movements, revolutions, and riots. Explore how a variety of factors affect the where's, why's and how's of movement dynamics.

CSCS 795

Enhance your collective ability to identify, describe, and analyze power and empowerment within communities and social, economic, and political systems. Enables us to more effectively and intentionally situate our praxis with regard to power and collective action. Centers on inquiries into the roles that power plays in collective action for community change and improvement, as well as the roles that it often plays in hindering such efforts and maintaining the status quo or defending elite interests.

POLISCI 400

An umbrella course for variable credit topic courses, such as summer forum, intensive summer courses, half-semester courses, etc.

POLISCI 402

This course offers the opportunity to apply many things learned in the classroom to the professional world and to apply things learned in the professional world to a student's liberal arts education. Interning will introduces students to the professional world of political organizations giving them the chance to enhance professional skills, build a network of contacts, and explore possible career choices. This class stresses active reflection, self-assessment, and the honing of critical thinking and writing. The internship course builds structure with written assignments, activities, reflections, and readings to help students to make the most of their internships. Analytical work in this course will allow students to systematically analyze the workplace in ways that help them recognize prevailing office dynamics, adapt to accepted organizational standards, and to identify opportunities to be a more effective colleague. The course will ask students to analyze their current experiences and to relate them to their past learning and future possibilities.

EDPOL 450

Provides an opportunity to engage with and discuss historical, ideological, and contemporary issues within community-based after school programs at large and within the Madison context. Examine the social and political context of after school programs to better understand the ways in which they have the potential to meet important needs.