Designing a Community-Engaged Capstone or Thesis Project

This spring quarter course is designed to support undergraduate (particularly junior-level) students from across the disciplines who are wishing or planning to design a community-engaged capstone or thesis project. The course will introduce students to scholarly resources and practical strategies for designing and implementing scholarly projects aimed at meeting community-identified interests. Through reflection on critical readings, case studies, and community learning and outreach strategies, students will imagine and begin to design action-oriented activities related to their capstone projects, such as policy briefs, service projects, partnership programming, and awareness campaigns. Students will be expected to leave the course with a tangible plan for ethical and effective community partnership as a central part of their capstone or thesis project, including a working relationship with a community organization.