Coursework: Freshman Community Companions Project Interdisciplinary Minor

"The forces working against peace and justice are many. The first
step is to recognize and understand them." Micah Program Senior 2004

Freshman Community:

Upon arrival at the University, freshmen enroll in special sections of introductory courses that encourage interdisciplinary study and reflection and, in most cases, satisfy university Core requirements. Since enrollment is limited, classes are small, allowing participants to work closely with their instructors and their fellow students.  

In the fall, we explore ideals of justice and social order in the Classical and Christian traditions. Students the following courses:

THEO 100 Theological Foundations (3). Integrated with PHIL 105, the Micah section of this course examines the foundations of Christian Theology by exploring the origins and development of the Jewish and Christian Scriptures. Offers examples and perspectives that lead to an understanding of God and the human person as connected in a covenant of just relationships. Concludes by integrating Greek and Biblical notions of justice and applying that integration to issues of social injustice in our own time. CO-REQUSITE: PHIL 105.

PHIL 105 Historical Introduction to Philosophy: Self and Reality (3). The Micah section of this course, taught with THEO 100, focuses primarily on the writings of Plato and Aristotle as central figures in the historical period when Western humanity first began to use reason to develop systematic philosophy. Careful attention is given to texts on the human person and the concept of justice. Concludes, as THEO 100 does, by integrating Greek and Biblical notions of justice with application to current issues of social injustice. CO-REQUSITE: THEO 100.

In the spring, we turn to social problems that hinder the realization of the ideals that we studied in the fall. Students take at least one of the following:

ASTD 322 The Urban Crisis (3). This course examines the roots and dimensions of the urban crisis that has transformed American metropolitan areas since World War II. Students investigate major urban problems such as racial segregation and poverty, white flight and suburban sprawl, public housing and urban renewal, riots and insurrections, job loss, and industrial change.

THEO 260 Christian Morality (3): An examination of several contemporary moral issues from the standpoint of Christian ethics. The first part of the course studies key topics in moral theology, including character and conscience formation, the virtues, the use of Scripture, the role of tradition, understandings of natural law, and the contributions of the human sciences. The second part considers social issues, including prejudice, consumerism, development, and globalization, emphasizing Catholic social teaching and issues of social justice involving Hispanic immigrants in the U.S.

And, Micah freshmen interested in the Urban Project take

MH 110 - Exploring Urban Vocations. (1) Introduces the challenges facing cities of the future and the wide range of SLU degree programs that address them. Through presentations by professionals, site visits, and shadowing, students explore careers in Healthcare. Education, Housing, Transportation, Urban Design, Engineering, Environment, Law, Criminal Justice, Economics, Public Administration, Social Services, and Community Organization.

And, Micah freshmen who do not have their English Writing core credit might take

ENGL 195 Advanced Writing about Urban and Social Problems (3). The Micah section of this course (fulfills the ENG 190 core) engages students in writing about urban problems and about the stages by which ordinary people come to participate in, or to resist, social injustice. Emphasizes skills in analytical reading, critical thinking, persuasive argumentation, and research.

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Companions Project:

Students not affiliated with the Freshman Community may enter the program by attending Micah co-curricular activities, taking at least one course approved for the Interdisciplinary Minor in Urban Social Analysis, and performing at least 30 hours of community service with us.

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Interdisciplinary Minor in Urban Social Analysis:

This Interdisciplinary Minor, which is administered by the Micah Program, is open to all undergraduates at the University, regardless of their school or major. The requirements are

>At least four terms (or their equivalent) of community service, averaging 30 hours per term.

>At least 18 hours in approved courses, of which no more than 6 hours may be at the 100 level.

>MICH 490 Senior Capstone**. The course must focus on the student's area of specialization.

The Micah Program’s Interdisciplinary Minor in Urban Social Analysis Course List

Please note: Some courses are cross-listed and you might take it under a different department other than what is listed below. In addition, with the Director's approval, Micah students may be able to use a course to fulfill a Minor requirement other than what is listed below.  However, a course may only fulfill one requirement.  Courses that are only approved when taken in Micah sections are bolded.

Coursework must include 18 hours distributed in the following four categories. 

1. General:  Choose at least one of the following courses on the nature of justice and social ethics:

PHIL 105 Introduction to Philosophy: Self and Reality (Micah)
THEO 100 Theological Foundations (Micah)
THEO 260 Christian Morality (Micah) *
THEO 361 Social Justice *
THEO 367 Poverty, Wealth & Justice *
THEO 467 Social Ethics: Christian Faith in the Public Sphere *

*Or, these four courses can apply in Areas of Specialization instead.

2. Applied:  Choose at least one of the following courses on urban social and political problems:

ASTD 315 - American Social Movements
ASTD 320 Making the American City
ASTD 322 The Urban Crisis
ASTD 324 Workshop in the City
BSHS 200 - The U.S. Health Care System
CVNG 203 - Sustainability and Environmental Engineering
DIET 430 - Foundations in Community Nutrition
ECON 410 Urban & Regional Economics
ED 220 - Today's Diverse Educational Environment: Trends and Issues
EDF 304 - School as a Social System
ENGL 190/195 Advanced Writing about Urban and Social Problems (Micah)
HIST 357 - U.S. SOCIAL and INTELLECTUAL HISTORY SINCE 1861
HIST 361 Civil Rights in America, 1865-1965
NURS 432 Public Health Nursing (Nursing capstone option for the Minor)
NURS 428, 429, or 432 Public Health Nursing (Nursing capstone option for the Minor)
NURS 491 or 492 Community Project (Nursing capstone option for the Minor)
POLS 221 - Civic Renewal: Service Learning and Community Justice
POLS 309 Aldermanic Internship
POLS 380 The Structure of Poverty: Globally and Locally
POLS 397 Metropolitan Environment
POLS 425 Urban Classics
PPS 200 Government and Politics of City and Suburb
PPS 408 Urban Issues: Poverty and Unemployment
PPS 420 Urban Ecology: Communities and Neighborhoods
PPS 426 Census and Neighborhood Analysis
PPS 465 Urban Criminal Justice Policy
SOC 250 - Current Social Problems
SOC 324 Urban Sociology
SOC 410 - Introduction to Urban Economic
SOC 420 - Urban Ecology: Neighborhood
SOC 453 - Urban Ethnography
THEO 360 Christian Morality and Health Care

3. Areas of Specialization:  Choose at least two courses in one of the following areas:

A. Cycles of Exclusion:

AAM 200 Introduction to African American Studies
AAM 201 Contemporary Black America
AAM 320 African American Culture
AAM 327 - Diversity & Anti Oppression
ASTD 330 - Prisons in American Culture
AAM 350 - Social Inequality
AAM 427 - U.S. Anti-Black Racism
AAM 483 Post 1900 African American Literature
AAM 490 Black Women in Society
CSDI 300 – Characteristics of Multicultural Populations
CMM 432 Communicating Across Racial Divisions
ENGL 324 Literature and the City
ENGL 331 - African American Literary Traditions II: After 1900
FSTD 420 - African American Cinema
NURS/SOC 236 - Diversity & Health Disparities
OCS 372 - Occupations in Diverse Communities
PHIL 482 Philosophy and Race
POLS 215 - Black Politics
POLS 221 Civic Renewal: Service Learning and Community Justice
PPS 300 - Current Urban Political and Governmental Problems
PPS 410 - Introduction to Urban Economics
PPS 411 Urban Employment and Training Policy
PPS 460 Law, Courts, and Urban Change
PSY 434 African American Psychology
SOC 218 - Cities and Space
SOC 355 Juvenile Justice
SOC 336 - Racial and Ethnic Relations
SOC 440 - RACE, GENDER, CLASS, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
SOC 450 Social Stratification: The Sociology of Inequality
SWRK 302 The American Social Welfare System
SWRK 327 - Diversity and Anti-Oppression Practice
SWRK 407 Child Welfare Services
THEO 226/335 African American Religious Traditions.

B. Immigration and Globalization:

CSDI 300 – Characteristics of Multicultural Populations
ECON 379 Economic/Political/Social Development--Latin America
ENGL 485 - Latino American Literature
HIST 318 - Modern Latin America
IB 302 Latin American Business
LAS 300 - Introduction to Latin American Studies
NURS/SOC 236 - Diversity & Health Disparities
OCS 372 - Occupations in Diverse Communities
PHIL 475 Latin American Philosophy
POLS 257 Introduction to Latin American Politics
POLS 258 Politics of Mexico
POLS 354 Latin American Social Movements
POLS 356 Political Process – Latin America
POLS 357 Third World Development
POLS 360 - Problems of Globalization
POLS 381 - Latin American-U.S. Relations
PUBH 235/ CMH 235 - Contemporary Issues in Global Health
SOC 318 - Immigration
SOC 345 The Sociology of Development--Latin America
SPAN 223 Latin American Culture and Civilization
SPAN 224 Meeting the Other--Hispanic Experience
SPAN 419 Three in One--The Hispanic Experience
SPAN 425 Cultural Stereotypes--Latin American
THEO 260 Christian Morality: Immigration and Globalization (Micah sections only)
THEO 337 US Hispanic Theology
THEO 468 La sangre de los mártires
THEO 469 La theologia del martirio en Latinoamerica: God of the Martyrs
THEO 488 Nicaragua: Theology and Culture
THEO 357 Studies in Faith and Reason, The Theology of Gustavo Gutierrez
THEO 349 Hispanic Theology

C.  Healthcare

BSHS 200 The U.S. Health Care System (open only to students in the Program in Health Sciences)
CSDI 300 Characteristics of Multicultural Populations
DIET 430 Foundations in Community Nutrition
NURS/SOC 236 Diversity & Health Disparities
NURS 428, 429, or 432 Public Health Nursing (Nursing capstone option)
NURS 491 or 492 Community Project (Nursing capstone option for the Certificate)
OCS 372Occupations in Diverse Communities
PUBH 235/ CMH 235 Contemporary Issues in Global Health
PUBH 365/CMH 365 Public Health & Social Justice
PUBH 462 Politics and Public Health Advocacy
THEO 360 Christian Morality and Health Care

D. Theory of Social Justice 

AAM/SOC 350 - Social Inequality
AAM 433 - Psychology of Oppression
AAM 481 - Philosophy and Race
ENGL 415 - Ethnic and Race Studies
PHIL 436 - Topics in Social & Political Philosophy
PHIL 475 Latin American Philosophy
PHIL 482 Philosophy and Race
PHIL 484 Catholic Social Thought
POLS 201 - Ethics and Politics
POLS 352 Communism, Capitalism, and Social Justice
POLS 374 - Capitalism, Racism, Patriarichy: Theorizing Structural Power
POLS 380 Structures of Poverty: Globally and Locally
PSY 433 Psychology of Oppression
PUBH 365/CMH 365 - Public Health & Social Justice
PUBH 462 - Politics and Public Health Advocacy
SOC 450 Social Stratification: The Sociology of Inequality
THEO 260 Christian Morality (Micah sections only)
THEO 349 Hispanic Theology
THEO 357 The Theology of Gustavo Gutierrez
THEO 360 Christian Morality and Health Care
THEO 361 Social Justice
THEO 367 Poverty, Wealth, & Justice
THEO 382 Spirituality of Nonviolence
THEO 461 Spirituality and Political Commitment
THEO 467 Social Ethics: Christian Faith in the Public Sphere

4. Senior Capstone:  Complete a 3 credit hours independent study in MICH 490 or an approved    senior capstone/practicum/seminar from your major.

**Students pursuing a major that also requires a senior capstone or practicum may (with the permission of the Director of the Micah Program) count that course in place of MH 490 so long as the focus of study is on urban poverty and other requirements of MH 490 are met.

Courses taken to satisfy the requirements of the core or of a major or minor may also be counted toward the Micah Program's minor. Courses, however, counted toward another minor (such as African American Studies or Women's Studies) may not be included unless the minor is required for a student's major.

Students pursuing the track in Immigration and Globalization have the option to study for a semester in Latin America. Courses taken there on the history and culture of the region may be counted toward the 9 hours required in that track. As soon as possible (and no later than the term before taking MH 490), students concentrating on Immigration and Globalization must fulfill a prerequisite of 3 hours of college Spanish or its equivalent. Those opting to study abroad must satisfy that prerequisite before departing for Latin America. Language study does not count toward the 18 hours required for the Micah Program's minor.

In unusual circumstances, students may (at the discretion of the Director) count relevant courses not listed above by contracting with the instructor to write a substantive paper related to urban problems or community service. Contracts must be approved no later than the fourth week of classes.

Typical sequence of courses:

First Semester	Second Semester
Freshman
Core: THEO 100 (Micah section)*	Core: ASTD 322*
Core: PHIL 105 (Micah section)*	Core: ENGL 190 (Micah section)
Sophomore
LAS 300* - Introduction to Latin American Studies	Study in Latin America (optional)
Junior
Core: POLS 257*	SOC 345*
Senior
MH A 490* or appproved capstone from your major.

* Courses marked with an asterisk offer an illustration of the sort of coursework needed to satisfy requirements for the Interdisciplinary Minor in Urban Social Analysis with a specialization in Immigration and Globalization.

Request more information.

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