The Omega Project is a 3-credit class developed and facilitated by the Volunteer Network, in coordination with the Child Development and Family Science department. Started in Spring 2006, this 14-week course provides students with an opportunity to take their interest in community service work to the next level. We cover a wide range of topics including:

• Social Justice issues (racism, sexism, heterosexism, classism, ableism, etc.)
• Social Activism
• Community Building and Organizing
• Asset Mapping
• Becoming a Life-Long Social Activist
• Power and Oppression

In addition to these topics, students in The Omega Project will participate in a weekend service trip, meet with assigned mentors who are social activists, develop small-group projects to address a relevant social issue, and present publicly about their group project.

CDFS 494/694

Exploring Citizenship and Activism for Today: The Omega Project

Class meets on Tuesdays, January 8 - April 29 at 2-5pm in Room of Nations, Memorial Union.

This course is designed to promote civic engagement, community service, appreciation of diversity, and social activism, utilizing servant leadership and social change model of leadership.   Students will learn about servant leadership and community service through practical experiences, mentorship, readings, and critical thinking.  Students will learn to view and analyze social, economic, and political problems from a servant leader’s perspective and to address these problems using tools of social activism to implement change.  The social change model of leadership development is based on a theory-to-practice concept whereby students can address social issues, increase knowledge, and learn about themselves.  

The course provides students the opportunity to explore local and global community problems, analyze social constructs that oppress minority populations in our society, participate in a weekend service-learning project, and develop group projects that will address local problems.  

Course Topics Include:
•    Diversity
•    Democracy, Government and Public Policy
•    Media
•    Philanthropy
•    Social Activism and Asset Mapping
•    Community Organizing
•    Social Change Leadership and Servant Leadership
•    Life Long Activism

For more information or to register, please contact course instructors: Angela Mathers (231-7350 or Angela.M.Mathers@ndsu.edu) or Kara Gravley-Stack (231-8566 or Kara.Gravley-Stack@ndsu.edu).