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Students

The Center educates, trains, and mentors scholars from the undergraduate to the postdoctoral level. A position on a research project allows individuals to gain not only valuable skills and experience, but also funding for their education. Students employed as assistants on Center-sponsored research projects have come from the School of Social Work, the School of Education, the School of Arts and Sciences, the Graduate School of Public Health, the School of Law, the College of Business Administration, and the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.

Student Paper Award

The Center on Race and Social Problems (CRSP) awards a $500 award to University of Pittsburgh students who write outstanding papers on contemporary race-related issues. Awards are given at each academic level: undergraduate, master’s, and PhD.

Study Abroad

This study abroad course for graduate students in the School of Social Work enables students to carry out first-hand observation of social issues and policy in Cuba, enhance understanding of the ways in which Cuba formulates and implements policies aimed at contemporary social issues, and learn about alternative policies, programs, and services that might be useful in the U.S.

CRSP-HCV MSW Fellowship

The Center on Race and Social Problems-Homewood ​Childrens Village (CRSP-HCV) Fellowship program (CRSP Fellows) is a school embedded experience that provides hands-on training to master’s in social work students with commitments to work in under-resourced communities of color. Up to four first year and four second year students may be accepted to work in 3 local urban schools

Race and Social Problems Course

This course is designed to provide students with a historical understanding of why we see the racial issues and disparities in the US that we see today. We discuss the history of race relations in the US, with particular but not exclusive attention to Black-White race relations. The course starts with what pre-colonial Africa was really like, the nature and consequences of West African and Native American encounters with Europeans, and the origins of racial concepts in the world, and their roots in economic interests.  In this course students will learn about historical and contemporary race-related social problems in America, including their consequences, causes, and some promising solutions. Readings, documentaries, films, music, guest speakers, and class discussions will address race in relation to disparities in economics, education, mental health, family structures, and criminal justice. There are no prerequisites, although enrollment priority is given to students in the School of Social Work.