SOC 101: Rebuilding Lives – Sociology of Community Systems

Course Title: Rebuilding Lives: Sociology of Community Systems
Course Number: SOC 101 (Pilot – Workforce Education Integration Track)
Credit Hours: 3 units
Delivery: Hybrid (in-person + digital platform prototype)
Instructor: Micki Archuleta, Ph.D., M.A., M.Ed., Founder, Rebuilding Lives Initiative
Proposed Department: Sociology / Social & Behavioral Sciences
Target Institution: Merced Community College District

Course Description

Rebuilding Lives: Sociology of Community Systems introduces students to the sociological analysis of systems that sustain or challenge community well-being — including housing, labor, healthcare, and governance.
Using the Rebuilding Lives prototype platform, students examine how social institutions interact to shape real-world outcomes in Merced County.

The course integrates data-driven learning, interactive simulation, and service-based inquiry, encouraging students to apply sociological reasoning to local workforce, housing, and mental-health issues.

Course Rationale

This class functions as both a General Education sociology course and a gateway to workforce readiness and civic leadership.
Students will develop sociological literacy while participating in the Rebuilding Lives Initiative, applying classroom concepts to actual community challenges.

It aligns with the California Community Colleges’ Vision for Success goals by:

  • Embedding social analysis into career and technical pathways,

  • Fostering equity and engagement through experiential learning, and

  • Linking academic theory to applied service-learning outcomes.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  1. Analyze how social structures influence inequality, mobility, and opportunity.

  2. Interpret local demographic and workforce data to identify structural barriers.

  3. Apply sociological theories (functionalism, conflict, symbolic interactionism) to housing and labor systems.

  4. Collaborate in community forums to propose solutions grounded in sociological evidence.

  5. Reflect on personal and civic responsibility through journaling, data interpretation, and team projects.

Major Units & Topics

WeekUnitKey ConceptsApplied Learning1–2Foundations of Sociology and Systems ThinkingInstitutions, structure, agency, social stratificationInteractive prototype orientation; analyze Merced community systems3–4Poverty, Housing, and Social Determinants of HealthHousing First vs. Housing Second, mental health, social capitalCase studies: David’s Story (Rebuilding Lives game scene)5–6Workforce and the Social Organization of LaborFunctionalism, conflict theory, division of laborGroup mapping of local workforce pipelines and barriers7–8Community Networks and Political PowerCivic participation, local governance, advocacySimulation: Library forum decision-making mini-game9–10Inequality and Social Justice FrameworksGender, race, class intersectionsAnalyze Census and county data to visualize disparities11–12Technology, Education, and Social ChangeDigital literacy, data-driven societyApply prototype tools to model equitable data outcomes13–14Rebuilding Lives Capstone ProjectSystems integration and social solutionsFinal proposal for improving one aspect of Merced County systems15Presentation & ReflectionCritical reflection, professional skillsPublic presentation at community forum (Library or College setting)

Instructional Methods

  • Interactive lectures and discussions

  • Game-based simulations from the Rebuilding Lives digital platform

  • Data literacy mini-labs (Census, CalPADS, local datasets)

  • Group service-learning projects

  • Reflective journals and class forums

  • Guest speakers (local officials, nonprofit leaders)

Evaluation & Grading

ComponentWeightDescriptionClass Participation & Discussions15%Regular engagement and contribution to forum activitiesReflective Journals15%Biweekly reflections linking sociological theory to personal insightsData Analysis Exercises20%Hands-on activities interpreting local demographic and workforce dataGroup Project25%Team-based community intervention proposalFinal Presentation25%Capstone project showcasing applied sociological analysis

Required Materials

  • Rebuilding Lives Prototype Platform (Digital Access Provided)

  • Course Reader: Sociology of Systems & Social Change (compiled articles and data sheets)

  • Access to local datasets: U.S. Census QuickFacts, County Health Rankings, EDD Workforce Data

Community Integration

Students will attend or help facilitate monthly Rebuilding Lives Forums at the Merced County Library, connecting classroom learning to real community dialogue.
Participation counts toward service-learning credit and provides a pathway into internships with partner agencies (Hands Up Outreach, Fusion Café Workforce Program).

Partnership Impact

When adopted, this course will:

  • Bridge academic sociology and workforce education through experiential learning.

  • Provide students with real skills in data interpretation, public presentation, and civic engagement.

  • Contribute to MCCD’s community mission by embedding education within local systems of care and employment.

Micki Archuleta, PhD, MA, MEd