About
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
- Define Relational Organizing
- Demonstrate the process of designing and developing a campaign
- Identify types of trauma and its impact on community organizing
- Practice methods in deep listening and reflection to build trusting relationships
- Learn to coach people to discern and develop their own power to advance justice
- Model tools and practices in self-awareness in self-care
Who should attend?
Those who want to create meaningful change in their communities and beyond would benefit from a community organizing course. Some groups include:
- Community Leaders & Activists
- Nonprofit & Nongovernmental Organization Professionals
- Government & Public Sector Employees
- Faith-Based & Religious Leaders
- Business & Corporate Social Responsibility Professionals
Certificate Requirements
In order to receive a certificate, the student must:
- Attend all virtual-instructor-led sessions
- Complete all assignments with a grade of 80% or higher.
Continuing Education Units and Social Work Continuing Education Hours
This program has been approved for 2.0 CEU's and 20 Social Work Continuing Education hours. Temple University Harrisburg is a PA State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors preapproved provider of continuing education. These credit hours satisfy requirements for LSW/LCSW/LMFT/LPC biennial license renewal. Certificates of attendance documenting continuing education hours or units will be issued by TUH. Each participant must submit a request for these points to be awarded.
Course Overview
Module # | Title |
|---|---|
Module 1 | Why Are We Here? |
Module 2 | Paths to Social Change |
Module 3 | The Role of Healing Justice in Organization |
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
- 6:00 pm — 8:00 pm (EST)
- Via Zoom (link to be provided via email and in Canvas)
Schedule
Week # | Date | Time | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
Week 1 | Sept 8 | 6pm-8pm | Zoom |
Week 2 | Sept 15 | 6pm-8pm | Zoom |
Week 3 | Sept 22 | 6pm-8pm | Zoom |
Week 4 | Sept 29 | 6pm-8pm | Zoom |
Week 5 | Oct 6 | 6pm-8pm | Zoom |
Week 6 | Oct 13 | 6pm-8pm | NO CLASS - Asynchronous Work |
Week 7 | Oct 20 | 6pm-8pm | Zoom |
Week 8 | Oct 27 | 6pm-8pm | Zoom |
Week 9 | Nov 3 | 6pm-8pm | Zoom |
Week 10 | Nov 10 | 6pm-8pm | NO CLASS - Asynchronous Work |
Week 11 | Nov 17 | 6pm-8pm | Zoom |
Week 12 | Nov 24 | 6pm-8pm | Zoom |
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 10 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.
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.
