Social Impact & Public Policy

University of Michigan via Coursera Specialization

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Provider

Coursera Specialization
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Certificate Available
Sessions

Self-Paced
Level

Beginner

Found in

Overview

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Learn how public policy, social work, community organizing, and sustainability leadership can support positive social change. This beginner-level Specialization helps you understand how change happens across communities, organizations, and public systems—and how you can contribute. Throughout the specialization, you’ll learn to: Explain how public policy is developed, implemented, and evaluated Analyze social issues through equity, social justice, and systems perspectives Understand how social work supports individuals, families, and communities Assess community needs, priorities, and strategies for collective action Develop advocacy, action, and communication approaches for social change Examine how leadership, values, power, and relationships shape sustainable change You’ll work through case studies, practical exercises, and real-world examples while building skills in critical thinking, communication, problem solving, and leadership. This Specialization is designed for beginners interested in public service, nonprofits, education, social services, community organizations, or sustainability. No prior experience is necessary.

Syllabus

Course 1: Using Public Policy for Social Change
Course 2: Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change
Course 3: Community Organizing for Social Justice
Course 4: Sustainability Leadership Development

Courses

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The course examines specific strategies for community organizing for social justice in a diverse, democratic society. It examines core concepts of social justice and practical steps for bringing people together to set goals and priorities, assess community assets and needs, develop action plans, and build support for implementation. It includes information on how to form core groups, build organizational capacity, and formulate strategy for reaching out to constituents and allies. Because each person learns in a different way, the course features a variety of learning activities, information on successful programs, individual instructions, and small group exercises, as well as hands-on materials for problem solving and program planning. You can use these activities with individuals, with a small group of people, or with several groups in a community campaign. The course draws upon work with people who are striving for community change in metropolitan Detroit, an area which is becoming both more segregated and more diverse. But it is designed for people who want to create change in communities, everywhere. If you were to take the course with ideas in mind, and conclude with plans in hand, then our purpose will be served.
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In this course, you will learn how social workers in the United States engage in creating change and supporting the resilience of individuals, families and communities in this new era. Learners will have an opportunity to explore the social work profession, the different roles of social workers in a range of settings, the cross cutting themes that guide social work practice, the history of social work, and current challenges. Using a social justice lens, learners will reflect on current challenges facing the lives of individuals, families and communities and examine ways to advocate for needed changes. This course can be taken as a stand-alone learning experience or as part of the "Social Work: Practice, Policy, and Research MasterTrack Certificate Program."
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Using Public Policy for Social Change provides a comprehensive introduction to public policy and its role in addressing societal challenges, with a focus on social inequalities. You’ll explore various areas of policy work, including social welfare, public health, the environment, education, and criminal justice. Learn the fundamentals of public policy design and analysis, and how policymaking functions across all levels of government in democracies worldwide. The course offers the opportunity to delve into social issues you care about, learn from real-life policymakers and advocates, and strengthen your analytical, critical thinking, and advocacy skills to create positive social change. Using Public Policy for Social Change leads you through each step of the policymaking process and encourages you to see how your talents and passions can play a role in making the world a more equitable place.
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How organizations and society respond to declines in environmental and social capital is the defining issue of our times. “Sustainability Leadership” explores and analyzes the concepts and application of leadership to empower you to be a positive change agent during this critical time. This course prepares current and future sustainability professionals to tackle “wicked problems” — challenges that are difficult to solve due to incomplete, contradictory, or changing information and that stem from simultaneously addressing environmental and interrelated social and economic issues. This requires a rethinking of how people and organizations exert leadership. Each module will explore how power structures, social justice, and equity impact organizations and how leaders can utilize ethics and values to set and achieve goals. You'll learn to apply sustainability leadership to real-world situations through lectures, conversations with key leaders, case studies, self-assessments, readings, videos, and podcasts. By the end of the course, you’ll draft a personalized action plan that can help begin or advance your career in sustainability and provide a sound basis to start transforming your organization for good. This is the third course in “Green Skills for a Sustainable and Just Future," a course series dedicated to shaping the next generation of sustainable practices and leadership.