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Community Studies

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses

The Community Studies program provides students with a foundation in social services, case management, and community development. Students will learn about social inequity and community-building through a social justice lens. Sociological theory and research principles will guide critical academic exploration and development, which will be applied to a hands-on practicum internship under the supervision of faculty and professionals in the community.

The degree and certificate in Community Studies are designed to prepare students to work in public, private, and nonprofit community service organizations such as social service, educational, correctional, mental health, community development and community health agencies, and programs. The AA degree may also serve as the first level of education in a career ladder leading to a BA in social work, community development, or sociology and then on to advanced study in a variety of graduate programs leading to masters and doctoral degrees.

Degrees and Certificates Offered

A.A. in Social Work and Community Studies
Social Work and Community Studies Certificate

Dean Dennis Lee
Department Chair Adrian Chevraux-Fitzhugh
Phone (916) 558-2401
Email SCC-BSS@losrios.edu

Associate Degree

A.A. in Social Work and Community Studies

Social Work and Community Studies is an applied sociology program that provides a foundation for students to explore the social services, community development practices, and social justice efforts needed to address social inequities. Sociological theory and research principles will guide critical academic exploration and development, which will be applied to hands-on practicum field experience(s) under the supervision of faculty and professionals in the community. The A.A. degree and certificate in Social Work and Community Studies will offer additional broader employment options and career advancement opportunities. This program was formerly known as Community Studies.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Degree Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
CSP 300	Introduction to Social Work and Human Services (3)	3
or SOC 380	Introduction to Social Work and Human Services (3)
CSP 301	Introduction to Casework in Social Services (3)	3
or SOC 382	Introduction to Casework in Social Services (3)
CSP 302	Introduction to Community Building and Change Making (3)	3
or SOC 375	Introduction to Community Building and Change Making (3)
SOC 321	Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3)	3
or SOC 482	Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States - Honors (3)
A minimum of 3 units from the following:		3
CSP 305	Practicum in Sociology, Community Studies, and Community Health Work (2 - 4)
or SOC 385	Practicum in Sociology, Community Studies, and Community Health Work (2 - 4)
A minimum of 6 units from the following:		6
ADMJ 304	Juvenile Delinquency (3)
ADMJ 340	Introduction to Correctional Services (3)
COMM 325	Intercultural Communication (3)
PSYC 370	Human Development: A Life Span (3)
or EDUC 300	Human Development: A Life Span (3)
PSYC 390	Psychology of Death and Dying (3)
PSYC 405	Substance Abuse: Effects on Body and Behavior (3)
or ADMJ 303	Substance Abuse: Effects on Body and Behavior (3)
SOC 301	Social Problems (3)
SOC 310	Marriage and the Family (3)
SOC 318	Introduction to Crime, Deviance, and Social Control (3)
or ADMJ 349	Introduction to Crime, Deviance, and Social Control (3)
SOC 335	Sociology of Aging (3)
or GERON 300	Sociology of Aging (3)
SOC 343	Women and Social Action (3)
Total Units:		21

The Social Work and Community Studies Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See SCC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

demonstrate an understanding of the evolution of the social services, community development practice, and related public policy.
identify, analyze, and help to construct strategies for social change through participation in the social justice work of an organization.
analyze how communities attempt to overcome problems associated with inequality, cultural stigma, prejudice, and discrimination.
analyze social service and community development organizational structures and their functions.
identify and evaluate the various roles of a community worker.
assess, compare, and develop core interventions and community resources.
integrate personal sensitivity and awareness of the cultural diversity of clients, professionals, and communities.
assess and apply knowledge of existing professional codes of ethics and laws related to the social services and community development.

Career Information

The degree and certificate in Social Work and Community Studies are designed to prepare students to work in public, private, and nonprofit community service organizations such as social service, educational, correctional, mental health, community development and community health agencies, and programs. The A.A. degree may also serve as the first level of education in a career ladder leading to a BA in social work, community development, or sociology and then on to advanced study in a variety of graduate programs leading to masters and doctoral degrees.

Certificate of Achievement

Social Work and Community Studies Certificate

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Certificate Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
CSP 300	Introduction to Social Work and Human Services (3)	3
or SOC 380	Introduction to Social Work and Human Services (3)
CSP 301	Introduction to Casework in Social Services (3)	3
or SOC 382	Introduction to Casework in Social Services (3)
CSP 302	Introduction to Community Building and Change Making (3)	3
or SOC 375	Introduction to Community Building and Change Making (3)
SOC 321	Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3)	3
or SOC 482	Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States - Honors (3)
A minimum of 3 units from the following:		3
CSP 305	Practicum in Sociology, Community Studies, and Community Health Work (2 - 4)
or SOC 385	Practicum in Sociology, Community Studies, and Community Health Work (2 - 4)
A minimum of 6 units from the following:		6
ADMJ 304	Juvenile Delinquency (3)
ADMJ 340	Introduction to Correctional Services (3)
COMM 325	Intercultural Communication (3)
PSYC 370	Human Development: A Life Span (3)
or EDUC 300	Human Development: A Life Span (3)
PSYC 390	Psychology of Death and Dying (3)
PSYC 405	Substance Abuse: Effects on Body and Behavior (3)
or ADMJ 303	Substance Abuse: Effects on Body and Behavior (3)
SOC 301	Social Problems (3)
SOC 310	Marriage and the Family (3)
SOC 318	Introduction to Crime, Deviance, and Social Control (3)
or ADMJ 349	Introduction to Crime, Deviance, and Social Control (3)
SOC 335	Sociology of Aging (3)
or GERON 300	Sociology of Aging (3)
SOC 343	Women and Social Action (3)
Total Units:		21

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

demonstrate an understanding of the evolution of the social services, community development practice, and related public policy.
identify, analyze, and help to construct strategies for social change through participation in the social justice work of an organization.
analyze how communities attempt to overcome problems associated with inequality, cultural stigma, prejudice, and discrimination.
analyze social service and community development organizational structures and their functions.
identify and evaluate the various roles of a community worker.
assess, compare, and develop core interventions and community resources.
integrate personal sensitivity and awareness of the cultural diversity of clients, professionals, and communities.
assess and apply knowledge of existing professional codes of ethics and laws related to the social services and community development.

Career Information

Community Studies (CSP) Courses

CSP 299 Experimental Offering in Community Studies

Units:0.5 - 4
Prerequisite:None.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This is the experimental courses description.

CSP 300 Introduction to Social Work and Human Services

Same As:SOC 380
Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ENGWR 300 or ESLW 340; and LIBR 318 with grades of "C" or better.
Transferable:CSU
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b)
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course provides an introduction to the fields of social work and human services. Students will study the full range of organized activities of private, nonprofit, and public sector organizations that seek to prevent, alleviate, or contribute to the solutions of recognized social problems or to improve the well-being of individuals, groups, or communities. This is the introductory course for students interested in careers in applied sociology. This course provides a multicultural perspective and the opportunity to practice developing skills of critical analysis. Credit may be awarded for either CSP 300 or SOC 380 but not both.

CSP 301 Introduction to Casework in Social Services

Same As:SOC 382
Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ENGWR 300 or ESLW 340; and LIBR 318 with grades of "C" or better.
Transferable:CSU
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b)
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course examines the socio-cultural context of the role of the case manager in contemporary American society. Explorations of the basic concepts of human behavior, exceptional and vulnerable populations, organizational structure and resource development, and case management principles are included in the curriculum. Credit may be awarded for either CSP 301 or SOC 382 but not both.

CSP 302 Introduction to Community Building and Change Making

Same As:SOC 375
Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ENGWR 300 or ESLW 340; and LIBR 318 with grades of "C" or better.
Transferable:CSU
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course draws from a sociological perspective to explore social problems, community building, and the basic principles and practices of community development and social change. Students will analyze successful models of community-based problem-solving interventions and practices. Credit may be awarded for either CSP 302 or SOC 375 but not both.

CSP 305 Practicum in Sociology, Community Studies, and Community Health Work

Same As:SOC 385
Units:2 - 4
Hours:18 hours LEC; 54 - 162 hours LAB
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ENGWR 300 or ESLW 340; and LIBR 318 with grades of "C" or better.
Transferable:CSU
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b)
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course allows students to sociologically explore an internship work experience. Students will identify and secure an instructor-approved internship and will use the sociological perspective to analyze the organizational structures and processes of the workplace. Students will learn techniques to address common problems within social service and community-based organizations. Students will be required to fulfill 18 hours of lecture (online or face-to-face formats) and 54 hours of instructor-approved paid or volunteer work for two units; the student will receive one additional unit for each segment of 54 hours of instructor-approved work.

This course may be taken four times for a maximum of 16 units as long as there are new or expanded learning opportunities on the job. Credit may be awarded for either CSP 305 or SOC 385 but not both.

CSP 499 Experimental Offering in Community Studies

Units:0.5 - 4
Prerequisite:None.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This is the experimental courses description.