REQUEST FOR NEW CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Division: Arts and Sciences
Campus: Northwest
Proposed Title of Certificate: Community Development and Urban Studies
Proposed Date of Implementation: Summer 2001
Faculty Member Developing/Submitting Proposal: Dr. Danille Taylor-Guthrie, Ph.D., Chair Department of
Minority Studies
Campus Address: Tamarack 66
e-mail: dtaylorg(˘iun.edu
I. Why is this certificate needed? (Rationale)
PH:980-7759
The Department of Minority Studies is a unique program that has a tradition in the scholarship of the urban experience from the minority perspective. The Department currently offers a concentration in community development with an urban studies emphasis. The Department would like to offer this certificate to those who have completed their undergraduate degree and who need to demonstrate a proficiency in the fields of Community Development and Urban Studies. This certificate will have a wide appeal, from educators to practioners in fields such as community development, planning and public policy. The focus of the curriculum will be on community development, community economic development, and urban studies within the matrix of the minority experience. Thus the university will avail itself to potential students that discover a need for such a proficiency after matriculating. All municipalities in the region engage in some form of community development, yet there are no educational institutions in the region that offer this type of post baccalaureate certification. The Department of Minority Studies has filled this niche for those pursuing a B.A. The new certification would meet the specific needs of those intending to pursue positions beyond the entry level such as Community Development Planner Il; or entry level positions that require certification or experience.
II. List the major topics or curriculum of the certificate.
Six courses (18 credit hours)
Required courses (6 credit hours) A151/C151, "Minority People ofthe
Electives (12 credit hours) Four courses from the Department of Minority Studies and must be distributed among community development, urban studies and socioeconomic policy.
A103 "Introduction to Urban Studies," A230 "Social Welfare and Minorities," "
III. List the student outcomes (or set of performance based standards) for the proposed certificate.
The certificate should lead to a broad understanding of the minority experience in urban environments: the unique community development, public policy and economic development issues of minority and interracial communities. How the phenomena of race, gender and class have impacted communities and individuals.
IV. Explain how student outcomes will be assessed (course-embedded assessments, graduate follow-up, employer survey, standardized tests, etc.)
Students will be assessed through course-embedded assessment, graduate follow-up, and employer surveys.
V. Describe the student population to be served.
The program will serve those interested in entry level and beyond positions in government, community development and urban planning. A program for educators of and in urban settings.
VI. How does this certificate complement the campus or school mission?
The Department of Minority Studies fulfills an essential goal of the university's mission in diversity and outreach. This program provides additional opportunities in the region to gain specific skills furthering their careers that need certification.
VII. Describe any relationship to existing programs within
The certificate will be housed within the Department of Minority Studies and the Division of Arts and Sciences but it has always been conceived as a program that can cross divisions. A collaborative relationship exists with the Department of Minority Studies and SPEA, students will be able to take advantage of it. Other collaborations will be developed as appropriate. For example, the Urban Teachers Program in the Department of Education is an obvious partner and others can be developed.
VIII. List and indicate the resources required to implement the proposed program. Indicate sources, e.g. reallocations, or any new resources such as personnel, library holdings, equipment, etc.)
The full time and adjunct faculty of the Department of Minority Studies can currently provide offerings for this program on a regular basis. The catalogue of offerings are more than adequate to provide interesting electives. Therefore, the program will be offered within the framework of the campus' current program and funding.
IX. Describe any innovative features of the program (e.g. involvement with local or regional agencies, offices, etc., cooperative efforts with other institutions, etc.)
This certificate is an initiative of the Department of Minority Studies and provides similar educational opportunities as the B.A. in Afro American Studies.
3400 Broadway - Gary, Indiana 46408
219-980-6500
888-YOUR IUN
(1-888-968-7486)
Comments: http://www.iun.edu/~facorg/surcurr/proposal-urban_studies.htm
