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This Student-Originated Studies (SOS) program is intended for students with a background and interest in social science, community organizing, public policy, social movements, and social justice. It is designed for students who are making or have made solid internship arrangements with community-based organizations or agencies or students planning for independent study that involves community-based learning, organizing, research, and participation. Students will develop strong links to organizations, regional social movements, and community mentors and partners, who will be the students' guides and hosts in their work.

A combination of internship (or individual study) and academic credit will be awarded. Students may arrange for an internship for up to 35 hours a week. Academic credits will be awarded for seminar work on community-based studies, social science, and participatory action research. Students with less than eight credits of internship may supplement their project with accompanying research, reading, and writing associated with their community work.

The program includes a weekly meeting focused on discussion of readings in social science, community studies, and participatory research. There will be other meetings as needed and in connection with community life and events. Occasionally, seminars may be replaced with relevant campus and community workshops and events.  Students will be doing extensive writing, both as analysis of readings and as field-based journals and reflection. Students will organize small interest/support groups to discuss issues related to projects and to collaborate on presentations at the end of the quarter. Students will submit weekly journals to the faculty sponsor. Contact faculty member Larry Mosqueda (mosqueda@evergreen.edu) if further information is needed.

The program is connected to Evergreen’s Center for Community-Based Learning and Action (CCBLA), which supports learning about, engaging with, and contributing to community life in the region. As such, this program benefits from the rich resource library, staff, internship support, and workshops offered through the center.

Research Opportunities

Students may complete a research project instead of, or supplemental to, an internship. Plans for this project must be developed before the quarter begins in September 2016.

Quarters

Fall Signature

Location and Schedule

Campus Location

Olympia

Time Offered

Day