Building on Robert Bellah’s The Good Society , the Senior Integrative Seminar, “”Perspectives on Love”" expanded beyond academic study of types of love to develop the vision that individuals working together through local organizations can make the great institutions of our society more responsible for the common good. Students explored ways to implement this vision through their involvement in the Southeast Economic Development Corporation, a local community based organization. They worked through SEED to gather data for a Housing Development Plan in a low-income residential area where 69 two-story, single-family homes were in need of extensive rehabilitation. Students contributed to a data gathering and planning process, working directly with tenants and homeowners to create a survey (door-to-door and focus groups) that will become the basis of a master plan for residential redevelopment of these poorly maintained structures.

Contact: Michael Williams at 616.459.8281 ext 4495