Fund for Community Engaged Curriculum

Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman - Associate Professor - Department of Sociology

The grant supported participants from two HBCUs to accompany students on a Spring Break trip to Birmingham (Civil Rights Trail).
Dr. Prof. Byron Parker's (Texas Southern University) knowledge was valuable, and as a clinical social worker and expert on trauma, he was able to support the emotional well-being of students by organizing a healing circle during the trip. Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton (Alabama State University alumna), accompanied the group, presented, and facilitated meetings with natives of Montgomery, and introduced the group to key contacts including Ms. Doris Crenshaw at the Southern Youth Leadership Institute.

Gokce Gunel - Research Associate - Department of Anthropology

The interdisplinary course will trace ideas of energy in anthropology, science and technology studies, literary studies and environmental history, and investigate how energy production and consumption affects social life. The grant funded a new look on the energy industry, by facilitating a fieldtrip (to the ExxonMobil refinery in Baytown. This helped students develop further interest in taking on immediate leadership roles in the development of the Energy and Environment Initiative (E2I) within Rice University.

Christopher Driscoll - Graduate Student, Department of Religion

This survey course examines key theological texts produced within the United States from the 19th century to the present and focuses on the influence of social contect--particularly race, class and gender-- for the development of these theologies, and for the ability to reflect critically on the social and theological motivations that play out in a variety of political and professional arenas. Class time will be spent discussing how theology informs the larger U.S. Social climate, and how such interrogations of U.S. theology offers tools for critical engagement, public leadership endeavors, and professional development. The grant funded materials for class.

Ozge Gurcanli - Faculty - Department of Psychology

Developmental psychology is comprised of a number of facts that explain the underlying mechanisms of human development. In this course not only will students learn the core concepts of human development, they will also engage in a broader community of researchers and experts as they develop new intellectual skills. The grant funded equipment for students to make a documentary on the importance of nutrition throughout development.

Juyoung Jang - Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Asian Studies Program

Students in this course explore various social issues impacting families in East Asia. They are encouraged to realize their own presumptions and think critically and view cultural family issues through various cultural lenses. The grant will fund class materials, printing student created posters and an end of semester event for students to present their work.