Theories of Community Development
FYC 6330 Sections O211 & O212
Spring Semester, 2021

Instructor: Dr. Mickie Swisher
Office: 3026 McCarty Hall

Syllabus

Class Preparation & Participation Assessment Criteria

Deciding What to Read

Moore Theories and Examples of Variables for Social Research from Dr. Kelly Moore

Good Resources about Social Theories This document provides linkes to some reputable sites that have information about different groups of social theories. It's a good place to go to understand the basics of a theoretical perspective and provides in most cases several resources. Some are searchable by keyword.

Top Think Tanks


All correspondence regarding this class -- questions, clarifications, want to miss class, anything -- must occur through UFL.EDU e-mail. I cannot respond to your questions or needs if you communicate through other e-mail accounts that you may have. All assignments are due by 11:59 PM on Friday of the week indicated unless otherwise stated. Late submissions are not accepted except in the conditions covered in University of Florida policy.

Week
Week Of
Topic
DUE Dates for Think Tanks - Prior to class meeting
Due Dates for Assignments - 11:59 PM on Friday
1
Jan. 12

Modernity, community, inclusion and exclusion

2
Jan. 19 Community as citizenship -- knowing theory, thinking critically and being civil

Think Tank 1
3
Jan. 26 Community as life support: Functional and Ecological Theories (Turner pp 7-31 and 60-72)
4
Feb. 02 Community Conflict: Change and Resistance (Turner pp. 32-59)
5
Feb. 09 Exchanges as the Social Glue that Holds Communities Together - or Breaks Them Into Pieces (Turner pp. 73-95) Assignment 1: The PIN (Problem, Issue or Need)
6
Feb. 16 Identity: Community as the Stage for the Roles We Play (Turner 96-116 & 117-135)  
7
Feb. 23 RECHARGE DAY! Nothing Due. No Activities.
8
Mar. 02 Back to Structure: How We Make Rules (Turner 136-163) Think Tank 2
9
Mar. 09 Community as Culture (Turner 164-196)
10
Mar. 16 Communities in a Postmodern World (Turner 197-221)

Assignment 2: Critical Synthesis

11
Mar. 23 Class, Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Identity in Postmodern Society -- Starting with Class Thank Tank 3
12
Mar. 30 Race, Class, Ethnicity, Gender and Identity in Postmodern Society -- Starting with Race? (Turner pp. 222-244 optional)
13
Apr. 06 Civil Discourse in an Age of Discord Think Tank 4
14
Apr. 13 Closure Presentations and discussion Assignment 3: Theory-Based Policy Strategy
Apr. 21 Class Meetings End