Sustainable Community Development, Focus Award

The Sustainable Community Development focus award (16-22 credits) provides students with the knowledge, skills and experiences that will allow them to play a vital role in developing and strengthening their communities in the twenty-first century. Diversity and sustainability are issues that present great challenges as well as incredible opportunities to create strong, thriving communities that meet the needs of their members and the environment.

Community development includes nurturing the integration of diverse groups to work together for common interests and the expansion of sustainable practices. Community development is studied holistically, including learning communication skills, how to effectively utilize the diversity inherent in American communities, and how people can live sustainably.

Completing the Sustainable Community Development focus award is an excellent addition to a resume. Knowledge of sustainability and diversity issues may be skills employers consider. Students should be aware that prerequisites exist for most courses, so they should plan accordingly.

Program Learning Outcomes

The curriculum in RCC courses is derived from a set of identified learning outcomes that are relevant to the discipline. Program learning outcomes for the Sustainability Focus Award are:

Community Engagement: Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively within a group setting. Demonstrate knowledge of community issues, needs, strengths, problems and resources.

Diversity: Analyze the relationship between diversity and social inequality and demonstrate knowledge of ways diverse groups can work together.

Sustainability: Apply the concept of sustainability in examining human relationships with the environment and identify sustainable solutions to environmental problems.

At least six of the credits of the Focus Award must be completed at RCC.

Required Courses

SOC 213 - Race and Ethnicity in the U.S. 4 Credit(s) or SOC 218
SOC 228 - Environment and Society 4 Credit(s)
SRV 101 - Service Learning Var. (1-6) Credit(s) (SRV 101 is 1 credit in this term), or HS 261A

Total Required Credits: 9

Electives

(Choose elective courses from the following):

Total Elective Credits: 8-13

Total Focus Award Credits: 17-22

Note: This focus award is not a formal, transcripted degree or certificate but recognizes student achievement in a specific topic or theme. Focus awards may be earned in combination with a certificate or degree. Classes are lower-division collegiate courses (except where noted) that may transfer to a variety of programs at a four-year college or university as elective credits, program requirements, and/or graduation requirements for the receiving institution. Students are encouraged to check with the receiving institution and their RCC academic advisor for the most accurate transfer requirement information.

¹ A maximum of three Cooperative Work Experience credits may be used toward the focus award as approved by focus award advisor.

For more information, contact the Social Science Department:

Phone: 541-956-7500

Email: SocialScienceInfo@roguecc.edu

Web address: www.roguecc.edu/socialscience

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