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HCD 531 Community Studies Theory
same as SOC 574, UP 517
4 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
Graded Activities
- summaries of theoretical perspectives
- exams (2)