Department of Human & Community Development, University of Illinois

                                                                                                           
                    

Undergraduate Programs


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HCD 531 Community Studies Theory

Four hours (seminar)
Fall Semesters

Course objectives

The goal of Community Studies Theory is to examine the major theories of community to develop a critical understanding of: (1) theory-driven research in community studies and (2) the epistemological and ontological assumptions of the major theories of communities.  For each theory, we will discuss such basic questions as: How does this theory deal with agency?  Is there an implicit telos to the trajectory of community/society?  Is power assumed or a site of struggle? 

Topics

  • Classic theorists on community
  • Systems theory
  • Human ecology
  • Community as interaction
  • Network theory
  • Social Capital
  • Symbols/identity
  • Communitarianism
  • Political economy
  • Postmodernism and constructivism
  • Liquid modernity - community lost
  • Actor-network theory

Assigned Text and Other Readings

HCD 531 Reader available online through the Library Electronic Reserves: http://www.library.uiuc.edu.

Graded Activities

summaries of theoretical perspectives

exams (2)

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