1. The Basics
Quotes from DI Students
The Detroit
Initiative:
DI classes are offered every
fall, winter, spring and
summer.
Each course has an internship
component and fulfills the
experiential lab
requirement for all
psychology majors.
Transportation is provided to
the following internship
sites in Detroit:
People’s Community
Services
New St. Paul
Tabernacle Head Start
Latino Family Services
826 Michigan
America Reads
(Edward Ginsburg Center)
“It was amazing to see the impact
we could have on kid’s lives. I
never thought I could impact a kid’s
life like that until I took this course.”
“This course helped me realize that
there are people who truly care
about helping others and
empowering those who are less
fortunate. I also gained invaluable
relationships with the children I
was working with that I will never
forget.”
“This course would be good for
students of any major, identity, or
background because every person
in my class was able to bring
something unique to the
experience.”
“I’d never worked closely with the
elderly. I didn’t know what to expect.
. . They taught me things not only
about their culture and
impoverished living
circumstances, but universally
about life and relationships and
acceptance.”
A Community
Service Learning
Program in
Psychology &
American Culture
Established in 1995 to
increase the involvement
of students in the
communities of Detroit.
Email our Faculty Coordinator:
lorraing@umich.edu

2. Our Internships
Our Courses
Fall Semester
Psychology 317 & American Culture 306:
Community Research (4 credits)
This course covers research methodologies that are
useful in learning with communities. These include
needs assessment, analysis of census and other
statistical information, evaluation of programs offered by
community organizations, asset mapping, and surveys of
community residents. Through readings, lectures, and
discussion, the class considers what is involved in each
of these methods and when each is appropriate for
community study. Students use one of these
methodologies to complete a research project in
collaboration with an organization in Detroit. Results are
communicated through a report to the organization.
Requirements include readings, lectures, journal,
research project, and an internship in Detroit.
Internships involve work with
community-based
organizations on projects to
improve the well-being of
children and families.
Projects involve such
activities as community
outreach, assisting in child
care settings or summer
programs, and/or working in
community education
projects. Internships are
supervised by the instructor
and program staff, and staff
person at the community-
based organization.
Transportation to Detroit is
provided.
For additional course
information, contact our Faculty
Coordinator, Lorraine Gutierrez
at e-mail: lorraing@umich.edu
Or stop by the Detroit Initiative
office at B002 East Hall
Or visit our website:
http://sitemaker.umich.edu/detro
it.initiative/home
Winter Semester
Psychology 319 & American Culture 319:
Empowering Families and Communities (4
credits)
This course introduces students to the principles
and practices of community psychology by focusing
on the themes of empowerment and prevention.
The influences of social context, racism, culture,
and inequality in shaping behavior and attitudes in
community settings are emphasized. Through
readings, lectures, and simulations, students
deepen their understanding of how families and
communities function and how communities can be
involved in program development and delivery.
Requirements include readings, lectures, journal,
research project. and an internship in Detroit.
Spring/Summer Semesters
Psychology 325 & American Culture 321: Practicum in a Multicultural Community (3 credits)
This course is an experiential field course involving four hours per week in Detroit. . Classes focus on
integrating theory with practice. Assignments include papers and an in class presentation.