INVST Community Studies (INVS)

INVS 1000 (4) Responding to Social and Environmental Problems Through Service Learning

By integrating theory with required community service, students explore how problems are shaped by cultural values and how alternative value paradigms affect the definition of problems in areas such as education and the environment. Students examine different approaches to solving problems and begin to envision new possibilities.

Additional Information: Arts Sci Core Curr: Ideals and Values
Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Social Sciences
Departmental Category: Invst Community Studies

INVS 1513 (3) Civic Engagement: Using the Electoral Process as a Tool for Social Change

Designed to educate and inspire civic engagement primarily in the area of electoral politics. Examines various explanations of why people participate in the electoral process and whom they choose to support. Develops the practical skills necessary to participate successfully in the electoral arena. Through a service component, the course provides experience working on a campaign and mobilizing others to participate in the electoral process.

Additional Information: Departmental Category: Invst Community Studies

INVS 2005 (2) Puksta Scholars Practicum

Integrates critical reflection and community-based experiences for undergraduates in the Puksta Scholars Program. This two-semester course will focus on the development of knowledge, attitudes and skills to productively engage the public realm. Examines topics includes ethical leadership, frameworks for social action, project design and participatory action research.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 8.00 total credit hours. Allows multiple enrollment in term.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

INVS 2919 (3) Renewing Democracy in Communities and Schools

Examines concepts of activism, citizenship, democracy, power, and diversity through classroom discussions and participation in a local K-12 school's Public Achievement project. Through community-based partnerships, students will develop leadership skills; dialogue with diverse groups of people; identify multiple perspectives around controversial issues; and learn to use research and writing to articulate public problems and advocate for their solutions.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: EDUC 2919
Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours.
Additional Information: Arts Sci Core Curr: Human Diversity
Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Social Sciences
Arts Sci Gen Ed: Diversity-U.S. Perspective
Departmental Category: Invst Community Studies

INVS 2989 (3) Dialogue Across Difference

Provides practical facilitation training that equips students to be change makers in any setting. Students examine models of dialogic communication and theories of intergroup relations to understand how dialogue can build deeper understanding of self/others, reinvigorate democratic values and foster a more just society. Through hands-on experience participating in, observing, and leading dialogue, students learn to facilitate dialogue among their peers.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Additional Information: Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Arts Humanities
Arts Sci Gen Ed: Diversity-U.S. Perspective

INVS 3000 (3-4) Innovative Approaches to Contemporary Issues through Service Learning

Explores creative approaches for solving complex social and environmental issues, with a focus on peace and population. Students analyze the root causes of issues in theoretical and historical contexts, and develop their understanding of effective and innovative approaches to change. This course has a requirement of community service.

Recommended: Requisite upper-division status.
Additional Information: Arts Sci Core Curr: Contemporary Societies
Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Social Sciences
Departmental Category: Invst Community Studies

INVS 3041 (3) Self and Consciousness

Explores human development from a psychosocial perspective, focusing on the interplay between psychological patterns and social forms. Issues such as self-image and social consciousness are studied within the larger context of individual and collective forces leading to transformation.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: SOCY 3041
Requisites: Requires prerequisite courses of SOCY 1001 and SOCY 3001 or SOCY 3011 (all minimum grade D-).
Additional Information: Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Social Sciences
Departmental Category: Invst Community Studies

INVS 3100 (3) Social Justice, Leadership and Community Engagement Internships

Focuses on leadership theories and skills necessary for effectiveness in social justice settings. Students gain understanding of traditional and culturally diverse approaches to leadership and change. Community service required.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: ETHN 3201
Recommended: Prerequisite ETHN 2001.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Additional Information: Arts Sci Core Curr: Human Diversity
Departmental Category: Invst Community Studies

INVS 3302 (3) Facilitating Peaceful Community Change

Students gain knowledge and skills that enable them to become effective agents of community change. Focuses on understanding the processes of community building with a multicultural emphasis. Students are encouraged to apply their own life experiences and to examine themselves as potential change agents.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: WGST 3302
Additional Information: Arts Sci Gen Ed: Distribution-Social Sciences
Departmental Category: Invst Community Studies

INVS 3402 (3) Implementing Social and Environmental Change

Examines grassroots innovation as a means for creating comprehensive, solution-based strategies to address social and environmental problems. Students develop an understanding of the root causes of problems, identify how changes are initiated at the grassroots level, and learn the theory and practice of effective and responsible change efforts.

Additional Information: Departmental Category: Invst Community Studies

INVS 3671 (3) People of Color and Social Movements

People of color the world over are struggling for sovereignty, independence, civil and human rights, food security, decent wages and working conditions, healthy housing, and freedom from environmental racism and other forms of imperialism. Course analyzes and brings alive these struggles.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: ETHN 3671

INVS 3931 (3) The Community Leadership Internship, Part 1

Develops students' competencies as community leaders working for a just and sustainable world. Under the supervision of an instructor and a community supervisor, students learn organizational leadership skills by serving as volunteer staff members at community-based organizations. Required requisite, admission into INVST CLP.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Invst Community Studies

INVS 3932 (3) Community Leadership Internship, Part 2

Develops students' competencies as community leaders working for a just and sustainable world. Under the supervision of an instructor and a community supervisor, students learn organizational leadership skills by serving as volunteer staff members at community-based organizations. Required requisite, membership in INVST CLP.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Requires prerequisite course of INVS 3931 (minimum grade D-).
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Invst Community Studies

INVS 4302 (3) Critical Thinking in Development

Exposes students to current issues in the political economy of development. Subjects range from globalization, democratization and economic development. Specifically explores the international and domestic determinants of economic development with special reference to currency markets, foreign direct investment, trade, and democratization.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: PSCI 4732
Requisites: Requires prerequisite courses of PSCI 2012 or IAFS 1000 and ECON 2010 and 2020 (all minimum grade D-).
Recommended: Prerequisite one upper-division PSCI course.
Additional Information: Arts Sci Core Curr: Contemporary Societies
Departmental Category: Invst Community Studies

INVS 4402 (3) Nonviolent Social Movements

Explores theories of democracy and development in relation to movements for nonviolent social change. Focuses on means and ends, spirituality, leadership, decision-making, civil society, cooperative economics, ecology and decentralized powers.

Requisites: Restricted to students with 87-180 credits (Senior, Fifth Year Senior) Sociology (SOCY) or Political Science (PSCI) majors only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Invst Community Studies

INVS 4919 (1-2) Teaching Social Justice for Public Achievement

Participate as teaching assistants for the practicum course INVS 2919. Focusing on the issues of democratic education, diversity, social justice and social change, students learn how to foster undergraduates' skills as experiential educators.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours. Allows multiple enrollment in term.
Requisites: Requires a prerequisite course of INVS 2919 (minimum grade B).

INVS 4931 (1-6) Community Leadership in Action, Part 1

Develops students' expertise as community leaders. Under the supervision of an instructor and a community advisor, students design a community-based project.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Requires prerequisite courses of INVS 3931 and INVS 3932 (all minimum grade D-).
Recommended: Prerequisite admission to INVST CLP.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Invst Community Studies

INVS 4932 (1-6) Community Leadership in Action, Part 2

Develops students' expertise as community leaders working for a just and sustainable world. Under the supervision of an instructor and a community advisor, students learn organizational and leadership skills by designing, implementing and evaluating a community-based project. First-hand experience provides students with a deepened understanding of the complex issues facing humanity, and competence with solution-based strategies.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Requires prerequisite course of INVS 4931 (minimum grade D-).
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Invst Community Studies

INVS 4999 (1-4) Teaching Social Justice

Students participate in a service-learning practicum under the supervision of a Community Studies instructor. They explore teaching strategies for implementing concrete educational goals. Focusing on the issues of social justice and social change, they learn how to encourage higher levels of creativity and analysis among students.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours. Allows multiple enrollment in term.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Invst Community Studies