Founded in 1969, community studies is the oldest interdisciplinary program at UC Santa Cruz. The longstanding hallmarks of community studies are its focus on social justice and its distinctive pedagogy integrating classroom learning and extended field study. Community studies was a national pioneer in the field of experiential education and its civic engagement model has been emulated widely. Community studies was also a pioneer in addressing principles of social justice, specifically inequities arising from race, class and gender dynamics in society at large, and in critically assessing strategies for achieving social change.
The undergraduate major offers highly motivated and focused students the opportunity to pursue a rigorous course of study combining on- and off-campus learning. On campus, students complete a core curriculum enabling them to identify, analyze, and help construct strategies for social justice movements, nonprofit sector advocacy, public policy making, and social enterprise. The core curriculum works in tandem with topical coursework that develops expertise in specific domains of social science scholarship related to the student's field studies. Off campus, students commit to spending six months immersed in a setting where they participate in and analyze the social justice work of an organization, with a goal of making a meaningful contribution to the organization’s mission. Students work independently but with active guidance from both campus faculty and an on-site supervisor from the field study organization.
The undergraduate core curriculum begins with the development of skills in social analysis and field observation/participation while deepening students’ knowledge of specific histories and theoretical perspectives essential to the study of communities and social transformation. Next, through the six-month full-time field study, students engage with specific communities through residence and participation in an organization with a focused social justice mission. This intensive and extended field study immersion is a distinguishing feature of the community studies major. Finally, students return to campus to analyze their field study experience and its relation to their ongoing classroom-based learning. The major culminates with a senior capstone integrating academic coursework, field study analysis, and original writing.
With the guidance of faculty and staff advisers, community studies students choose field placements related to the program’s areas of focus in health justice and economic justice. In the past, placements have been arranged with community health clinics, women’s and feminist organizations, immigrant-rights centers, media advocacy organizations, homeless resource and support groups, sustainable development projects, queer and transgender organizations, neighborhood or workers’ collectives, civil rights groups, community food security programs, legal clinics, community-based cultural organizations, programs for seniors, tenant or labor unions, tenant organizing projects, HIV/AIDS advocacy groups, housing rights advocates, harm-reduction programs, government agencies and the offices of elected officials, and still other organizations committed to and working for social justice. As political, economic, cultural and technological landscapes shift, so do the needs and opportunities for social justice organizing. It is a dynamic world and throughout its history Community Studies has been noteworthy for being attuned and responsive to innovative field study opportunities.
213 Oakes Academic Building
(831) 459-2371
To receive advising for the community studies major, students should schedule an appointment via slug success, email or call the program adviser. Full contact information is available on the program webpage. Our office is located on the second floor of the Oakes Academic Building in room 213. The office telephone number is 831-459-2371. Students are encouraged to meet with the program adviser as early as possible to develop an academic plan and take full advantage of all of the opportunities associated with early planning.
Transfer students should also consult the Transfer Information and Policy section.
Students interested in pursuing the community studies major should communicate with the program advisor to learn about the program's distinctive curriculum and requirements. Completing lower-division general education courses that build an understanding of and engagement with social justice issues is a great way to satisfy university requirements while building a solid foundation for the upper-division coursework required in the community studies major. Completion of the writing requirements before taking the first upper-division topical is strongly encouraged.
Transfer students should consult the Transfer Information and Policy section for specific recommendations to prepare for the major.
Community studies identifies eight Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) that together capture exciting cross currents within the major. The PLOs combine classroom and experiential learning related to the social justice domains of health and economic inequality. They also enumerate expectations for student achievement in social science research and writing and communication skills within a diverse society.
Critical Thinking
Students earning a B.A. in community studies will be able to:
- demonstrate deep knowledge of the history, causes, and contemporary manifestations of specific social justice issues related to health and economic inequality;
- deconstruct institutional power residing in private enterprise, government, the media, and/or the non-‐profit sector;
- analyze how communities attempt to overcome problems associated with inequality, cultural stigma, prejudice, and discrimination;
- articulate research questions, methods, and findings appropriate to social science inquiry; and
- demonstrate analytical writing ability that effectively integrates theoretical and experiential knowledge about social justice.
Community Engagement
Students earning a B.A. in community studies will be able to:
- identify, analyze, and help to construct strategies for social change through participation in the social justice work of an organization;
- exhibit ethnographic observation skills by maintaining a regular record of detailed field notes;
- demonstrate effective communication with the diverse constituencies involved in social justice work.
Major Qualification
Students qualify to declare the community studies major by satisfactorily completing CMMU 10, Introduction to Community Activism, and at least one upper division topical course from the approved list of courses. Satisfactory completion is defined by a grade of C or better in both major qualifying courses. Major qualification courses must be taken for a letter grade. Students must declare prior to enrolling in CMMU 102, Preparation for Field Study.
Transfer students should also consult the Transfer and Information Policy Section.
Appeal Process
Students who are informed that they are not eligible to declare the major may appeal this decision by submitting a letter to the community studies program director within 15 days from the date of notification. Within 15 days of receipt of the appeal, the program will notify the student and college of the decision. Students should submit the appeal letter via email or in person to the undergraduate adviser for the Community Studies Program located in Oakes College Academic Building, 2nd floor, Room 213.
How to Declare a Major
As part of the declaration process, students meet with the program director and/or staff adviser to review their academic plan for the major, including discussion of field study possibilities and appropriate courses to meet topical requirements. Students must submit their approved academic plan and declaration petition to the community studies staff adviser. Changes to the student's academic plan must be approved by the program director.
Transfer Admission Screening Policy
Students planning to apply to UCSC in this major are not required to complete specific major preparation courses for consideration of admission to UC Santa Cruz. The Community Studies program can easily accommodate students who transfer to UCSC for the fall quarter.
Transfer students will find it helpful to complete courses that satisfy campus general education requirements before arriving at UCSC. Those who plan to major in community studies will find it useful to obtain a background in politics, sociology, psychology, anthropology, or community action and service. Prior to their first quarter at UC Santa Cruz, transfer students should prepare a program of study and once on campus meet with the community studies student advisor in the program office to discuss the focus of their academic plan and field study plans.
Getting Started at UCSC as a Transfer Student
Transfer students are strongly encouraged to participate in the campus orientation program and connect with the community studies program adviser to develop an academic plan prior to their fall course enrollment.
Transfer students qualify to declare the community studies major by satisfactorily completing CMMU 10, Introduction to Community Activism, and one upper-division topical course from the approved list of course. Both of these courses should be completed during the fall quarter. Satisfactory completion is defined by a grade of C or better in both major qualifying courses. Major qualification courses must be taken for a letter grade.
As part of the declaration process, transfer students meet with the program director and/or staff adviser to review their academic plan for the major, including discussion of field study possibilities and appropriate courses to meet topical requirements. Students must submit their approved academic plan and declaration petition to the community studies staff adviser. Changes to the student's academic plan must be approved by the program director.
Honors in the community studies major are awarded to graduating seniors whose performance, including coursework, field study, and the senior capstone, is judged by a faculty committee to have achieved excellence. Highest honors in the major are reserved for students with consistently outstanding academic performance.