Aquinas College :: Community Leadership

Degrees/Courses

Community Leadership Majors complete 38 credits hours including the following required courses:

CL100 - Introduction to Community Leadership (3)
CL396 - Practicum/Internship in Community Leadership (2)
CL400 - Community Leadership Capstone (2)
AG100 - Financial Activities for Nonprofits (3)
BS356 - Organizational Leadership (3) (BS201 pre-requisite)
ES214 - Microeconomics (3)
GY212 - Urban Geography (4)
PS340 - Public Administration (3)
PS350 - Research Methods (3) (MS151 or MS252 recommended)
PS/CL345 - Public Policy (3) (PS203 or PS205 and CL100 pre-requisites)
TY255 - Catholic Social teaching (3)
Plus two elective courses (6 credits)

Suggested Electives for CL Major:*

AG303 - Accounting for Nonprofits (AG210 and AG211 pre-requisites) (3)
ES213 - Macroeconomics (3)
PS101 - American Government and Politics (3)
PS310 - Intergovernmental Relations (3)
PS401 - Health Care Policy (3)
PS402 - Education Policy (3)
SY102 - Introduction to Social Work (3)
SY103 - Cultural Anthropology (3)
SY/PG201 - Social Psychology (3)
SY260 - Introduction to Social Problems (3)
SY302 - Community Sociology
SY375 - Complex Organizations (3)
BS200 - Fundamentals of Organizations (3)
BS355 - Organizational Behavior (3)
BS425 - Not-for-Profit Organizations: Theory and Practice (3) (BS201 pre-requisite)
GY264 - Economic Geography (3)
GY313 - Advanced Urban Geography (3)
GY413 - Urban and Regional Planning (3)
TY250 - Contemporary Christian Morality (3)

*Note: Six credits, no more than one elective per discipline.

Required courses = 32 credits
Plus two electives = 6 credits
Thirty-eight (38) total credits for Community Leadership Major

Course Descriptions by Discipline

Community Leadership

CL100 Introduction to Community Leadership (3)

This course is the introductory course for the Community Leadership major. It
will introduce students to the concepts of community, service, civic responsibility,
leadership, and community systems by two means: extended service (30+
hours) in designated community agencies and reflection in class on these experiences
using readings and other methods (e.g., speakers, common field trips,
simulations, etc.

CL310 Special Topics in Community Leadership (variable)

Variable topics in Community Leadership offered on an occasional basis.

CL396 Practicum/Internship in Community Leadership (2)

This course is a field placement for two credit hours in which the student will spend at least 150 hours, or 10-15 hours per week during the semester in addition to regular meetings with the Community Leadership advisor. Through the practicum the student will gain practical experience of the agency's programs, develop an understanding of its financial and governance systems and become involved with the agency's client population. This course is a transition to the Community Leadership Capstone, CL400. (Prerequisites: Senior standing or completion of all Community Leadership requirements)

CL398 Readings in Community Leadership (Variable)

Individually-negotiated program of readings on a selected topic established by contract between instructor and student. Contracts filed with Registrar. Prerequisite: Approval of the Community Leadership Program Director.

CL399 Independent Project in Community Leadership (Variable)

Individually-negotiated project of defined nature established by contract between instructor and student. Contracts filed with Registrar. Prerequisite: Approval of the Community Leadership Program Director.

CL400 Community Leadership Capstone (2)

This course combines academic reflection with leadership work in the agency students have become familiar with through CL396. The student is expected to develop an analysis of how the agency might serve its clients in ways it is not presently doing. In concert with agency leaders and the Community Leadership advisor the student will develop a program proposal designed to close this gap and spend an additional 50 service hours working with agency leadership to implement the proposed change. (Pre-requisite: Completion of all required course work)

Accounting

AG100 Financial Activities for Nonprofits (3)

An introduction to financial information needed by decision makers for not-for-profit organizations. Includes an overview of financial reporting, managerial accounting and finance. Specific topics include financial statements, budgeting, strategies for revenue generation, relevant costs, time value of money and cash management.

Business

BS356 Organizational Leadership (3)

Focuses on the process of influencing individuals and groups toward organizational goals, including such topics as the evolution of leadership theory, leadership effectiveness, and situational leadership. (BS201 pre-requisite)

Economics

ES214 Microeconomics (3)

Introduction to the economic problem and the study of economics; basics of supply and demand; introduction to concepts and models used to understand the economic behavior of households and firms, economic outcomes under various market structures, market failures, and international trade.

Geography

GY212 Urban Geography (4)

Urban environment and landscape from a human perspective: the city as an economic environment, as a cultural place, as a political entity - policies and planning.

Political Science

PS/BS340 Public Administration (3)

Have you ever wondered about the inner-workings of public programs? This course introduces the theory and practical skills involved in working with public agencies and implementing public policy. Issues of democratic participation and bureaucratic inertia are fundamental to this critical examination of the administration of public policy.

PS350 Research Methods

The study of methods is considered a basic component of a political science education. While it is important to think about methods in order to be able to conduct research, it is every bit as important to think about methods in order to know how to use political research. This course is designed to familiarize students with how politics is studied and how knowledge about politics is created. It is about how the study of politics aspires to be scientific. While the course is primarily concerned with practical problems of how to conduct research, it also address philosophical problems of research and practice statistical techniques involved in the analysis of data. (MS151 or MS252 recommended)

PS/CL345 Public Policy (3)

Through a review of past and current policy actions this course examines the role of governments, agencies, and individuals in the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of public policy. Cross-listed with PS345. (Prerequisites for CL majors: PS203 or PS205 and CL100.)

Theology

TY255 Catholic Social Teaching (3)

An introduction to the official social teachings of the Catholic Church and the lived experience of the Judeo-Christian tradition in the United States since the end of the nineteenth century. Attention is given to the theological vision, the anthropology, and the principles used by the Church in its moral reflection on the various social problems of our day including rights and duties of workers and employers, racism, sexism, attacks on the dignity of human life and the family, political tyranny, economic injustice in the Third and Fourth worlds, and war.

Pre-Requisite Courses

Business

BS201 Principles of Management (3)

The focus is on the study of the origin and development of management theory, processes of management, decision-making, leadership, communication, social responsibility, and international management. Emphasis on application of management principles to managing organizations.

Political Science

PS203 Urban Government and Politics (3)

The governance and problems of cities is the focus of this course. Planning, decision-making, issues and solutions are developed in this introduction to the politics and power structures in America’s Urban settings.

PS205 State Government and Politics (3)

Introduction of the institutions and politics of state governments with special emphasis on Michigan.