Course Descriptions

HS 323F — Participatory Action Research

Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.

Participatory Action Research (PAR) is an anti-racist research paradigm that emerged in Latin America in the 1970s under the leadership of Colombian sociologist Orlando Fals Borda. The research paradigm challenges the monopoly of research power held by academic researchers and proposes shared decision-making with communities being studied. PAR also argues that action needs to be the result of research. Through case studies, this course explores how oppressed communities construct knowledge and use that knowledge to make changes in their communities. The course presents several community-based frameworks for guiding research ethics. Usually offered every second year.