Course Description
This interdisciplinary course gives graduate students a foundation in the theory and practice of community-engaged research methods. The service-learning component will allow students to engage in the design, development, and implementation of a community-engaged research project. This course requires active engagement and enthusiastic participation from students.
Athena Title
Community Research Methods
Non-Traditional Format
Course includes a service-learning project during the semester that either employs skills or knowledge learned in the course or teaches new skills or knowledge related to course objectives. Students will be involved in the planning and implementation of the project(s) and may spend time outside of the classroom. Students will be engaged in the service-learning component for approximately 25-50% of the overall instruction time.
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
In this course, students will: • Gain grounding in the philosophy and best practices for community-engaged research. • Understand the tenets of engaged scholarship. • Understand a range of methodologies used in community-engaged research in different disciplines (e.g., Community-Based Participatory Research). • Investigate options for the discipline-specific application of community-engaged research. • Read and evaluate community-engaged research in relevant disciplinary settings. • Take part in a community-based research project that benefits a community partner and puts into practice at a deep level one particular methodological approach (topic to be determined by professor based on community partner relationships at the start of the semester). Course readings: We will be looking at a variety of resources to meet our course learning objectives. Most course readings are available on our eLC site. Details are available in the course schedule on eLC and may be subject to change throughout the semester. Course textbooks: Jason, L. A., & Glenwick, D. S. (2016). Handbook of methodological approaches to community-based research: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods. Oxford University Press. Strand, K. J., Cutforth, N., Stoecker, R., Marullo, S., & Donohue, P. (2003). Community-based research and higher education: Principles and practices. John Wiley & Sons.
Topical Outline
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ACTIVITIES Participation in Class Sessions and Community-Engaged Activities - 15 points Reflective Activities and Portfolio (weekly) - 25 points Presentation of a Community-Engaged Research Method (February – March) - 20 points Portfolio and Analysis of Community-Engaged Research Methods in Your Field (April) - 20 points Presentation of the SL Community-Engaged Research Project (April) - 20 points COURSE TOPICS Building our community voice The Service-Learning and Community-Engaged graduate journey IRB Presentation Cultural competency in Community-Engaged research Q-Methodology (mixed methods CEnR) Project review Stakeholder engagement Working with data Presentations on methodological studies Presentations on CEnR in each student's field