Power, Positionality, and Social Change: Theories and Methods of Community Partnerships

3 Credits.

In this course, students will learn how to build effective public health partnerships with communities. We will discuss history, contexts, and structures of power that influence communities’ social determinants of health. We will also explore sociological, educational, and organizational theories and methods that center community voices and build partnerships that improve community health. This course is valuable to students who want to prepare themselves for working with communities using anti-oppressive practices. By the course’s conclusion, students should understand how to account for and address the systems, history, and positions of power that affect the success of community projects related to social determinants of health.