Community Health

Meditation for Global Healing. With meditation as our framework, we will explore the concept of personal healing and awareness as a foundation for global healing. Meditation is a practice that encompasses a philosophy of living with a quiet mind, open heart, and in service to others.  This capstone provides an opportunity to explore ancient Chinese philosophy, personal healing, and social responsibility within the context of a mindfulness practice. Working with a community partner gives you the chance to be of service to people who are homeless in Portland and learn about their needs and your engagement in the context of the course material.

Natural Food Industry. This Capstone investigates sustainable food systems from producer to consumer, with a focus on the business practices of food cooperatives. We will work with our community partner People's Food Cooperative on projects related to health and nutrition, farmers markets, local and equitable food distribution, food justice and ethical business practices.

JEAN's Urban Educational Farm Site: M/W 8:15am-10:45am

The Nature in the Neighborhood (NITN) project grew out of the needs expressed by PSU students who desired avenues of involvement in local environmental issues, and the needs of local resource management agencies (THPRD, METRO, Portland Parks) that lacked resources to develop inventories and surveys of natural resources in the Portland area.

Increasingly, migrant workers in Oregon and other western states are arriving from southern Mexico, especially from the indigenous communities in the southern state of Oaxaca. Migration impacts the health of this population in complex ways, and challenges health care systems on both sides of the border. This Capstone course takes students to Oaxaca, Mexico to study the cultural, economic and social forces that impact health in both sending and receiving communities.

Learning From Persons with Disabilities: Mt Hood Kiwanis Camp. 

An application is required prior to registration. See our website for more information or to apply: https://www.pdx.edu/education/kiwanis

During this two-week capstone, in their role as camp counselors, students will broaden their understanding of the lived experience of persons with disabilities while supporting an inclusive and accessible camping experience for people with developmental disabilities at MHKC. Students will learn how the lives of persons with disabilities are similar and different from their own as well as expand their awareness, knowledge, and skills for interacting with and supporting people with disabilities. Working in smaller groups and under the supervision of qualified staff, students use teamwork and communication skills to support each other and campers in a range of outdoor recreation activities.

Multimedia Production Team

The Multimedia Production Online Capstone addresses community issues and needs by developing educational interactive online media. Continuously taught since 1999, the class has undergone adjustment to the changes in technology - from output on CD-ROMs and video, to web pages and blogs developed entirely by teams of students working completely online and working remotely, from around the world!

Working with Latine Youth. ​Since 2007, this course has offered students the opportunity to explore the outdoors with at-risk and gang-involved Latine youth enrolled in Latino Network's Youth Empowerment and Violence Prevention Program. Students can also choose to complete indirect service options such as research, data collection, and curriculum development.

Community Partner: Latino Network http://www.latnet.org/

Youth Empowerment and Violence Prevention Program: http://www.latnet.org/youth-empowerment-and-violence-prevention

Effective Change Agent

Already volunteering and want to get credit? Have an internship and want to combine that with your capstone? Curious about what is possible? This course is designed for students to to develop their own community projects and work in partnership with them to effect change. This project may be an existing relationship or one sought for the purposes of this class.

Juvenile Justice

This Capstone partners with the Multnomah County Department of Community Justice, Juvenile Services Division.  Students work together to facilitate a writing/art workshop in juvenile detention. Through your work in the detention facility, as well as through supportive academic activities, you will have the opportunity to deeply explore current issues in juvenile justice.