Center for Southern California Studies
The Center for Southern California Studies (CSCS) was established in 1996 to provide research, education, and service on public policy issues facing Southern California. Driven by the goal of achieving well-informed public policy decisions, the Center offers diverse programs that facilitate pathways to productive policy dialogue aimed at building community capacity and participation. The Center works collaboratively with its Community Advisory Board and its Faculty Advisory Board to define and fulfill its mission.
Upcoming Events
An Evening with Erin Aubry Kaplan
February 28, 2008Gerald M. Oppenheimer and Ronald Bayer
Shattered Dreams?
An Oral History of the South African AIDS Epidemic
March 13, 2008
Newest Research
“Renewal through Retail? The Impact of Corporate Retail Investment in South Los Angeles”
Josh Sides, CSUN Professor and Director of the Center for Southern California Studies, follows up on his first book about the history of black Los Angeles (L.A. City Limits: African American Los Angeles from the Great Depression to the Present) by asking how the emergence of big retailers like Home Depot in South Los Angeles affect neighborhood conditions. Does crime decrease when a mall comes to the neighborhood? How many new jobs are really created? And is retail investment and worthwhile strategy for renewing poverty-stricken communities?
Recent Events
19th ANNUAL ENVISIONING CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE
The conference on 09/19/2007 was a great success. Well over 200 participants enjoyed presentations from nearly 40 presenters, on issues ranging from immigration’s impact on jobs to how immigrant communities can be better served by public agencies. While the conference was not designed to provide definitive answers to the immigration question, it surely helped to frame the questions in a more positive and inclusive manner. In all, the conference was successful in helping the College and the University fulfill its mission to foster public discourse that is intelligent, inclusive, and productive.
Recent Articles
Taking California’s Temperature: Prospects for Reform Under Schwarzenegger
Despite making grand promises to improve California during his recent “State of the State” address, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s plans are doomed to fail unless he is able to build a statewide consensus on clear reform priorities, according to an analysis by Cal State Northridge’s Center for Southern California Studies.
Latino Scorecard 2006
Center researchers collaborate on United Way sponsored Latino Scorecard.
CSUN Economic Impact Study
Read the CSUN Social and Economic Impact Study, performed by Center researchers.