FAA 291 Fall 2009
FAA 291
Civic Engagement in East St. Louis, Illinois
Instructor: Sang S. Lee
Office: 324 Noble Hall
Phone: 265-0533
Email: sanglee7@illinois.edu
Meets: Enrollment in this class requires attendance in two in-class sessions (one lecture, one discussion) and one outreach weekend (overnight field trip to East St. Louis). In consultation with Instructor, students will decide which lecture and discussion they will attend after they register for the course.
Section ES1: Lecture will be offered on September 14 and September 15, from 5pm-6:30pm.
Discussion will be offered on September 28 and September 29, from 5pm-6:30pm.
Field trip to East St. Louis from September 25-26.
Credit hours: 1
Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Section ES2: Lecture will be offered on October 26 and October 27, from 5pm-6:30pm.
Discussion will be offered on November 9 and November 10, from 5pm-6:30pm.
Field trip to East St. Louis from November 6-7.
Credit hours: 1
Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Community-based organizations play increasingly important roles in expanding the supply of jobs, affordable housing and social services in many low-income urban communities. Supported by local religious organizations, financial institutions, regional foundations and municipal governments, community development corporations have emerged as the primary organizational vehicles for neighborhood stabilization and community revitalization in many U.S. cities.
This course is designed to introduce students from across campus to community development practices and the participatory approach followed by the East St. Louis Action Research Project (ESLARP). This is a unique opportunity to work alongside residents and neighborhood leaders on vital projects identified by grassroots organizations. A hands-on approach to instruction is employed as participants will take part in an Outreach Weekend experience in East St. Louis, Illinois. Students will tour the city and meet neighborhood leaders before engaging in the weekend projects of physical improvements in the community. As preparation for the trip students will participate in a mandatory lecture that addresses structural inequality and highlights the history of the partnership between the East St. Louis community and ESLARP. Students will be required to complete a reflection paper and be prepared to discuss their experiences during the post-trip reflection session.
Course Structure:
Each section requires attendance to two in-class sessions and one Outreach Weekend. The ESLARP Outreach Weekends are conducted each semester. The weekend experience typically begins on Friday mornings at 7 a.m. and will conclude on Saturday evenings returning to campus before 9 p.m. The College of Fine and Applied Arts’ East St. Louis Action Research Project will fund all travel, food and lodging expenses necessitated by these trips.
Readings:
Reardon, Kenneth M. (1998). "Enhancing the Capacity of Community-Based Organizations in East St. Louis," in the Journal of Planning Education and Research, 17, 323-333.
Last updated on 1/6/2010