Fall 2011 - Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences - Case ...

New Courses for
Undergraduates
Seven undergraduate three-credit courses have been
developed by MSASS faculty and approved by the university.
Drugs and Youth is presented from a wide range of disciplines and theoretical perspectives highlighting the
biopsychosocial nature of the problem — both the etiology as well as the effects of addiction. It explores the impact on both
macro (society) and micro (family and friends) drug use of both licit (alcohol, over-the-counter drugs, and prescription) and illicit
(marijuana, hallucinogens, and cocaine) on various subcultures such as sports/athletics, college students, women, and adolescents.
Sexualities, Citizenship, and Social Action explores themes in both symbolic and cultural
domains. While sexuality and citizenship, in reality and in academic discourse, cuts across the areas, this course considers methods
and concepts in the human sciences and humanities.
Poverty, Wealth Building, and Social Entrepreneurship examines social
entrepreneurship and how development is viewed, conceived, and implemented. The class studies examples of wealthbuilding
ventures such as Greyston Bakery in Yonkers, New York, and Evergreen Cooperative in East Cleveland.
Poverty and Children examines current community-based strategies that provide young people living in high
poverty urban areas with the educational, social and economic supports needed for a strong future.
Social Networking and Community Organizing in the 21st century examines old and
new models for citizen engagement based on the changing nature of place, given increased mobility and diversity in communities
within the United States and the emergence of a truly global economy and communication network due to the revolution in
information technology.
Social Welfare Capstone Seminar revolves around the identification and critical investigation of
current social problems with the goal to apply social welfare research and research from different disciplines to better understand
these problems.
The Netherlands/Social Justice: Health and Violence Prevention
includes a trip to the Netherlands over Spring Break 2012 and will acquaint participants with the socio-political factors that
influence social justice and policy development in the Netherlands. The experience includes at least 42 hours of contact time with
the instructors in Cleveland and the Netherlands. Social justice issues including violence prevention and health care services/
policies will be explored via agency visits, lectures, and discussion with Dutch experts.
We anticipate these courses will spur interest in undergraduates who may consider a career in social work practice or education.
Dean Gilmore and MSASS faculty will evaluate the course outcomes at the end of the academic year.
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