SCHC 385 H02 29634

BeyondClRoom, SocBehavSci, NotCore

Notes:

This course aims to critically examine dominant models of public health funding and charity in order to explore the social, economic, and political inequities increasingly defining American society. The dominant models of “philanthropy” and “charity”, which are based in power and resource differentials, define how public initiatives, projects, and movements are created and carried out; however, these models are often focused on addressing the consequences of inequities rather than the sources of these problems.  Students will study these dominant models in class, exploring how they perpetuate inequities, and then contrast these approaches through participating in a new model of community action.  This participation takes the form of 20 service hours where students will work with a community partner to promote mutual aid efforts that have emerged in South Carolina and other parts of the country since the COVID-19 pandemic. This alternative approach’s focus on mutual aid and solidarity will give students a first-hand experience learning about how to rebuild social relations and shift power and resources to community members themselves. Students will have multiple opportunities to complete their service hours: at-home through virtual and phone assistance, in class, and/or if they feel comfortable, through direct work with community partners.