Community Studies Minor
The interdisciplinary minor in Community Studies is designed to prepare students for community-based research. Please use this form to request permission to enroll in CMST 250, 350, or 351.
Click here for a listing of current service-learning and Community Studies courses: Spring 2012 Courses (pdf).
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation recognizes community-based participatory research as a "potent approach to conducting research with--rather than on--communities" (www.wkkf.org). The Community Studies minor at William and Mary emphasizes
- the academic relevance of multiple disciplines for understanding and responding to social issues and concerns in local, regional, and global communities
- the collaboration of scholars with and within communities as part of developing research plans and strategies for implementing social or policy change
- the integration core principles of ethical and rigorous academic research with practical strategies for effective community engagement
Faculty advisors from a range of disciplines (including: Marine Sciences, English, Linguistics, Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, Education, Public Health, and Modern Languages) guide students in developing an academic plan to build research skills and knowledge as part of a sustained commitment to community engagement as a strategy for both learning and action. Community Studies aims to move students beyond experiences of volunteerism to critically examine the relevance of their academic learning in community settings, often in collaboration with communities toward shared goals for social change.
The Community Studies minor requires a minimum of 18 credit hours: 12 core credit courses (an introductory engaged learning courses, in Sharpe for first year students or an introductory seminar for all levels; Methods in Community-Based Research; and Critical Engagement in Context - theory), at least 5 credits in elective courses that directly related to a specified research plan, and completion of capstone, independent research or an Honors thesis project in their senior year. Also required: a minimum of 60 hours in a sustained community engagement commitment that is directly correspondent to student's indicated research interest.
