FAA 391 Spring 2013 5th & Hill
FAA 391: Action Research Seminar
Engagement and Visioning in Champaign's 5th and Hill Neighborhood
Instructor: Professor Lynne Dearborn
Teaching Assistants: José Castillo-Pilcol, Tyler Zwagerman
Office: 322 Noble Hall
Meets: Thursdays 11:30am - 1:00pm, 317 Noble Hall
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed for upper-level undergraduate students who have an interest in learning how to use research to create social change. In this course, you will have the opportunity to develop diverse research skills and knowledge, and apply these to real life needs in the community. This course is embedded within ARI, an interdisciplinary project dedicated to improving social issues in Champaign-Urbana, as well as other communities.
Course Syllabus
Schedule & Readings
Week 1: (1/17)
Introduction to Course
Week 2: (1/24)
Action Research and its Value
"Participatory Action Research as Service Learning" by Reardon (1998)
"Service Learning as Justice Advocacy: Can Political Scientists Do Politics?" by Robinson (2000)
"Head and Hand Together: A Project-Based Research Model" by Stoeker (2005)
Week 3: (1/31)
Structural Racism on Champaign's North End
"Structural Racism and Community Building" by the Aspen Institute (2004) pages 1-11
"An Assessment of Housing, Neighborhood Conditions, and Attitudes toward Northeast Champaign and Northwest Urbana" by Trimm (1990) pages 1-21
"The Political and Economic Forces Shaping Concentrated Poverty" by Wilson (2008) pages 555-562
Week 4: (2/7)
History of Champaign's North End
"The Relationship Between Segregation and Financing Practices to Minority Housing Problems in Champaign-Urbana" by the League of Women Voters of Champaign County (1961)
"Urban Renewal and Negro Involvement: A Case Study of Negro Politics in Champaign, IL" by Patton (1968) pages 7-17
"Questions and Answers about Urban Renewal" by the City of Champaign (1963)
Week 5: (2/14)
Environmental Justice and Pollution at 5th and Hill
"Report: Contamination Found off Site of Coal Gasification Plant" by Monson, News-Gazette (2008)
"5th and Hill Neighborhood Rights Campaign Monthly Update" by Champaign County Healthcare Consumers Coalition (2011)
"Group Threatens Suit Against Champaign" by Wade, News-Gazette (2011)
"Structural Racism and Community Building" by the Aspen Institute (2004) pages 13-22
Week 6: (2/21)
Neighborhood Identity and Community Narratives
"In the Name of 'Community'" by Modarres, (2007)
"An Assessment of Housing, Neighborhood Conditions, and Attitudes toward Northeast Champaign and Northwest Urbana" by Trimm (1990) pages 33-37
"Sample Interview Questions" by T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History, Louisiana State University
"Structural Racism and Community Building" by the Aspen Institute (2004) pages 23-32
Week 7: (2/28)
Community Engagement and What Drives Development
"The First Meaningful Steps in Community Engagement" by Mehta, Next American City (2012)
"Digital Differences to Consider when You are Planning Your Public Outreach Strategy" Haller, EngagingCities.com (2012)
"Revisiting Murals, Animating Neighborhoods: A Collaborative Project" by Lenstra (2010)
"Move Over Banksy: Candy Chang's Art Might Actually Save the World" by Grist.org (2011)
Week 8: (3/7)
Community Visioning #1
"48217 Neighborhood Strategy" by Detroit Collaborative Design Center, Detroit Mercy School of Architecture (2007)
Week 9: (3/14)
Community Visioning #2
"Woodbridge Development Strategy" by Woodbridge Neighborhood Development Corporation and Detroit Collaborative Design Center (2007)
"Woodward Streetscape Project" by Woodbridge Neighborhood Development Corporation and Detroit Collaborative Design Center (2007)
Spring Break No Class! (3/21)
Week 10: (3/28)
Organizing a Community Event
Week 11: (4/4)
Project Break Out Session #1
Week 12: (4/11)
Advertising a Community Event
Week 13: (4/18)
Undergraduate Research Symposium
Week 14: (4/25)
Project Break Out Session #2
Week 15: 5th and Hill Community Outreach Event - Location,date and time TBD
*Community Resource Projects Due 24 hrs. prior to Outreach Event
*** No Final Exam
Additional Resources:
Week 2: "Combating Racism Through Planning Education: Lessons from the East St. Louis Action Research Project" by Reardon (1998)
Week 3: "Neighborhood Racial Composition, Neighborhood Poverty, and the Spatial Accessibility of Supermarkets in Metropolitan Detroit" by Zenk et al. (2005)
Week 5: "Chicago Shutters Two Coal Plants this Month, but Reuse Speculation is at Peak Capacity" by Bentley, Architects Newspaper (2012)
"Health Centers Find Opportunity in Brownfields" by Kaysen, New York Times (2012)
Week 6: "Putting Theory into Practice: Asset Mapping in Three Toronto Neighbourhoods" Arundel et al (2005)
Last updated on 4/1/2013