Program Description
Social Issues, Social Action is a service-learning course offered to students living in the Residence Halls.  This course provides a living-learning environment where students explore academic curriculum side-by-side with peers living in their Residential Unit.

Students will study social issues such as homelessness, poverty, environmental justice, and educational inequality. In addition to course readings, student learning will occur through direct service projects, faculty and community partner lectures, student panels, and reflective writing. By the end of the course, students will be able to choose a community they identify with and discuss one social injustice that affects that community.

Social Issues, Social Action is a component of the Residential Service Initiative and a partnership between Residential Living and Cal Corps Public Service Center.

Requirements

• Weekly class attendance and participation on Thursdays 3:30-5:30pm (note this is 30 minutes later than originally stated)
• Weekly journal entries or reading responses
• 2 Saturday Service Projects, 1 Friday Service Project
• 1 Alternative Weekend Retreat
• 2 Essays

For complete course requirements, download the Spring 2009 syllabus.

How to Get Involved
Read the statements below.  If you agree with most of them, download the Spring 2009 syllabus. and a SISA program application.  Applications must be submitted to 505 Eshleman by 5pm on January 30th.

• I am interested in learning more about myself and the communities I am a part of.
• I am interested in participating in hands-on service projects to learn about homelessness, poverty, the environment, and educational inequality.
• I would like to learn more about how to get involved during my time at Berkeley.
• I would like to explore my role in society and how I can contribute.

Important Dates

• January 29, 3-4pm: Information Session
• January 30, 5pm: Applications Due
• February 5, 3-5pm: First Class Meeting

Program Contact
Minh Dang at (510) 642-3916 or mdang@berkeley.edu