The Center for Social Concerns is the community-based learning and research center of the University of Notre Dame.

We invite students, faculty, staff and alumni/ae to explore today's complex social realities and consider their responsibilities within them.

We invite students, faculty, staff and alumni/ae to explore today's complex social realities and consider their responsibilities within them.

We provide educational experiences in social concerns rooted in Catholic social tradition and expressed in civic engagement.

In collaboration with community organizations, academic departments and campus partners throughout the university, students engage in service and other experiential learning opportunities, both locally and nationally.

In the words of the University mission statement, the Center seeks to "...create a sense of human solidarity and concern for the common good that will bear fruit as learning becomes service to justice."

Social Concerns Seminars

The Center offers a series of one-credit experiential learning courses, cross-listed in Theology and other departments, that focus on issues such as poverty, diversity, urban and rural life, and communities in action. These interactive seminars take place nationally and internationally (e.g., Appalachia, Chicago, Mexico, New York City) during semester breaks. During the January break, the Center offers the Urban Plunge, a two-day immersion held in over 50 cities around the country. As part of these one-credit seminars, students visit communities, learn about local issues, and meet leaders in social service and social change organizations. Integrating the experience with thought-provoking readings and discussion, students find greater understanding of issues and explore ways to bring about social change. Seminar descriptions and Learning Agreements are available at the Center, and can be found on the Center's Web site.

Courses by Center Faculty

In the fall and spring semesters, Center staff members teach cross-disciplinary courses that analyze contemporary issues of peace and justice. For example, "Children and Poverty: Developmental Implications" is taught through the Psychology Department, "Vocation and Leadership in the Catholic Social Tradition" in Theology, and "Addressing U.S. Poverty on the Local Level: Homelessness, Education, Health Care, Jobs" in Economics. Each semester, the Center publishes a booklet of courses that incorporate experiential learning, community-based learning and research opportunities. Pick up one at the Center or visit our Web site.

Catholic Social Tradition and Practice

Catholic social tradition is integrated throughout the Center's course and seminar offerings. CST is the paradigm through which our students analyze the world. In addition, through our justice education efforts, the Center sponsors and cosponsors a variety of creative peace and justice programs throughout the year, including films, panels, invited speakers and performing arts. Programs focus on a range of issues, such as racism, poverty and the environment.

Senior Transition Programs

Seniors are encouraged to explore the integration of social concerns in their lives beyond Notre Dame through workshops, a discernment course, the Post-Graduate Service Fair, the Pledge of Social Responsibility and other events. In addition, the Center collaborates with the Career Center and other departments on the Non-Profit Career Fair.

The commitment of those seniors who will participate for one-to-two years with postgraduate service programs is celebrated at the Service Send-Off during Commencement Weekend. Approximately 10 percent of the graduating class participates in a postgraduate service program.

Research

The Center for Social Concerns seeks to identify, analyze, and share the evolving ways that service-learning and related educational experiences contribute to college student development and to the efforts of students, faculty, and community constituents who are working to create a more just and humane world. Some results of our research are published in the Research Report series and posted on our Web site.