CMAC - Community Action Minor

The community action minor is designed to engage students in both academic and practical work that addresses the meanings of citizenship, democracy, and community locally and globally. Through study combined with direct participation in Hartford-area community-based research and service, students will gain a deeper understanding of the role of individuals and institutions in sustaining and developing every form of community.

The minor has four components. Students begin with courses in “Communities in Theory and Practice,” to explicitly discuss the theories behind community learning and institutional engagement, and “Methods for Community Learning,” to learn formal methods that can be used to conduct community-based research. Then, students design a concentration area of three courses to develop their understanding of community action within the scope of their specific interests (see examples below). Finally, by participating in a capstone, students will have the opportunity to integrate the themes of their concentration with experiences in the community. Altogether, the minor comprises five courses drawn from three different fields and a capstone. (All courses must be completed with a grade of C- or better to receive credit for the minor.)