This course is intended for students who are involved in political or volunteer activity in the community. It is designed to give students an opportunity to become part of scholarly debates over the character and significant of political organizations and social movements. Topics covered in this class include the origins of social movements, political power, fundraising, multi racial coalitions, identity politics, and environmental justice. Course content consists of lectures and discussions. The major project is a research paper analyzing the student’s involvement in a local political organizations or social movement.