SOC: 531 Community Organization Fall 2010 Hogan

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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)

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

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

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?