Theme 5 FIG Courses

Latest News

Public Service & Justice in Los Angeles

Have you ever wondered, “What’s going on in L.A.?” This FIG pairing provides you the opportunity to answer that question. These courses collectively focus on ways to address complex social problems facing the people of Los Angeles, such as homelessness, crime, and climate change. Students will draw on interdisciplinary resources and engage in hands-on activities to explore current social problems and the process of social change in Los Angeles through a public service and justice lens. Students will work together in class and across classes to understand the history and social climate of Los Angeles and to creatively devise potential solutions to make Los Angeles a better place. 

Sign-up for one of these FIGs  

Theme: Make an Impact through Public Service: Introduction to Public Administration

PUB 195, Section 01
Special Topics in Public Administration

Day/Time: T/Th 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm
Instructor: Qiyuan ‘Roger’ Jin

Course Description

This course provides an overview of the field of public administration, which explores how policies, rules, and guidelines are developed and implemented for public organizations (such as the government). The course covers the history, theories, and practices of public administration in the United States at federal, state, and local government level. Topics covered include the organization and structure of public agencies, budgeting and financial management, human resource management, policy analysis and evaluation, leadership and decision-making, ethics and accountability, and the role of technology in public administration.

Theme: Economics and Political Power in Los Angeles

UNV 101, Section 20
Personal, Social, and Intellectual Development (First Year Seminar)

Day/Time: T/Th 2:30 pm - 3:45 pm
Room: LCH A227
Instructor: Fynnwin Prager

About this Course

This course is about power, and uses different lenses to explore how and why power is used to serve different interests through institutions. We look at the intersection of economics and political science to understand how and why resources are given to some and not others in society. This course will look at a series of different issues facing Los Angeles communities. Students will explore current problems and inequalities, use political economy lenses to explain these issues, and create solutions that are politically and economically feasible, effective, aware of stakeholder interests, and respectful of cultural diversity and individual rights. Students will also learn the secrets to success in college while exploring this interesting topic.

Theme: Law and Order CSU: Justice in Los Angeles

UNV 101, Section 18
Personal, Social, and Intellectual Development (First Year Seminar)

Day/Time: T/Th 2:30 pm - 3:45 pm
Room: WH A118
Instructor: Sarah Britto

About this Course

We’ve all seen the way that justice is portrayed on television, but what does justice look like in our communities? In this course, students will investigate the meaning of justice as it applies to issues like crime, the economy, education, and housing. Drawing from academic research, public policy, media materials, and lived experiences, students will engage in activity based-learning assignments to critically examine the role of governmental agencies, businesses, and nonprofit organizations in justice and injustice in our communities. Students will explore the participatory nature of justice and reflect on how their actions can contribute to a more just world. Students will also learn the secrets to success in college while exploring this interesting topic.