In This Program

This course provides an introduction to the principles, strategies, and practices of community organizing as a tool for creating social change. Students will explore the historical roots, theoretical frameworks, and modern applications of community organizing in addressing systemic inequities. 

Topics include grassroots organizing, leadership development, advocacy, and the role of policy in community transformation. Students will gain practical skills such as mobilization techniques, communication strategies, conflict resolution, and fundraising. The course emphasizes ethical practices, cultural humility, and the importance of centering marginalized voices in organizing efforts.

By the end of this course, students will be equipped to design and implement community initiatives that foster sustainable change, empower diverse communities, and address pressing social challenges.
 

Learning Outcomes

1. Define Relational Organizing
2. Demonstrate the process of designing and developing a campaign
3. Identify types of trauma and its impact on community organizing
4. Practice methods in deep listening and reflection to build trusting relationships
5. Learn to coach people to discern and develop their own power to advance justice
6. Model tools and practices in self-awareness in self-care
    

Certificate Requirements

In order to receive a certificate, the student must:

1. Attend all virtual-instructor-led sessions
2. Complete all assignments with a grade of 80% or higher.

Course Overview

Module 1 - Why Are We Here?
Module 2 - Paths to Social Change
Module 3 - The Role of Healing Justice in Organizing
Module 4 - Power Over, Power For, Power With
Module 5 - Relational Organizing
Module 6 - Base Building and Leadership Development
Module 7- Team Building
Module 8- Determining an Issue in 1:1s
Module 9- Power Analysis and Research Actions
Module 10- Building Your Strategy  and Tactics
Module 11- Present Campaigns & Feedback
Module 12- Presentation Campaigns and Reflections

Content Warning: Sensitive Topics 

This course may involve discussions around sensitive and potentially distressing social issues, such as mental health, social inequalities, identity, trauma, and personal experiences of discrimination or violence. These topics can evoke strong emotional reactions and may be difficult for some students to engage with. 

Class Meetings

• Every Monday:  TBD
• 6:00 pm (EST) - 8:00 pm (EST)
• Via Zoom (link to be provided via email and in Canvas) 

Attendance Policy

This course is a virtual-instructor-led course. To obtain the certificate for this course, the course must be completed within thirty (30) days of registration/enrollment.  Access begins at enrollment.

To obtain the certificate for this course, attendance at all 12 live virtual sessions is required. Please treat the live, virtual class sessions as if you were in attendance in-person. Driving during class is not permitted. If you are seen driving a vehicle, you are subject to removal from the zoom session. This is for your safety as well as the safety of others on the road. This does not apply as a passenger in a car.  

The course instructor may approve one absence if notified in advance or there is an urgent situation. Participants are required to discuss the absence in advance with the instructor and program manager to obtain approval and instructions for making up the session.   

Zoom meetings will be recorded for allowing those that have one absence to make it up via the recorded session (Instructor approval is required). Recordings are not a replacement for attending the six virtual classes. Recordings can be accessed by clicking Zoom from the menu. Students must notify the instructor and program manager after completion of the recorded session and must submit any upcoming assignments on time.

Cancellations and Refunds 

All cancellation requests must be made in writing via email to Rebecca Bieber at rebecca.bieber@temple.edu and received by the Temple University Harrisburg staff before becoming effective. Please note that if a registrant does not officially withdraw from a course and does not attend the course, the registrant is still responsible for payment.   

Cancellations received ten (10) business days or more prior to the start of the scheduled course will be eligible for a full refund of fees paid. 

Cancellations received nine (9) business days to one (1) business day prior to the start of the scheduled course will be subject to a cancellation charge of $10.00 for one day/session courses and $50.00 for multiday courses. Cancellations received less than one (1) business day prior to the start of the scheduled course will not be eligible for a refund.