Courses & Requirements
The CESC concentration will include as many as 15 students annually. Sophomores, juniors, and Ada Comstock Scholars interested in participating in the concentration are encouraged to apply.
Requirements
The concentration is composed of six courses for a minimum of 22 credits, as follows:
- Gateway Course (2 credits)
- Capstone Course (4 credits)
- Electives (four courses for 16 credits)
- Two Practical Experiences
Gateway Course
IDP 120 Community-Based Learning (CBL): Ethics and Practice
This interdisciplinary course explores the practice and ethics of CBL through relevant readings and lectures. Students interact with guest speakers (faculty, community partners and peers) who provide firsthand perspectives on how CBL connects to local, national and global issues. The course provides a point of entry and orientation to students new to CBL, as well as an opportunity for in-depth discussion among students at all levels of familiarity with CBL. IDP 120 serves as the gateway course for the CESC concentration. (Graded S/U only. 2 credits)
Capstone Course
CCX 320 Capstone Seminar for the CESC Concentration
The CCX 320 seminar provides a forum for a cohort of concentrators to develop projects that analyze, evaluate and synthesize their prior academic work and practical experiences for the CESC concentration. Students are provided with readings, discussions, mentoring and other support that they need to complete the capstone projects. (4 credits)
Electives
In consultation with her concentration adviser, the participating student will choose four courses that support your area of interest and deepen your knowledge in relevant core content, including social justice, systems analysis, diversity, community development and community-based learning/research. Course offerings on this content are available in multiple departments at Smith and in the Five Colleges. Examples of areas of interest for students include immigration and citizenship, public health, education, law and policy, community organizing, community narratives, environmental justice, social movements, and art and activism.
Electives must be derived from multiple disciplines, and at least three must be 4-credit courses at or above the 200 level. Two of the electives must be Community-Based Learning courses (CBL courses have a community-based service-learning and/ or community participatory research component).
Community-Based Learning (CBL) Courses
CBL courses integrate significant community partnerships to meet actual community goals and advance academic learning.
CBL Courses Offered at Smith and the Five Colleges
For information on the CBL courses offered at all five colleges, go to https://www.fivecolleges.edu/cbl/courses. Please check course catalogues for the most up-to-date information.
