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University of Colorado Boulder

Transforming Communities

University of Colorado Boulder via Coursera

Overview

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Driving meaningful change in your organization requires more than internal alignment. It also depends on understanding the communities, networks, and systems your organization touches. This course equips business professionals with the tools and mindset to support change that is strategic, inclusive, and grounded in real-world context. You will explore practical methods for understanding local needs, identifying existing strengths, and working with stakeholders to co-create solutions. Topics include sustainability and resilience fundamentals, needs assessments, asset mapping, and applying systems thinking to support transitions inside and outside your organization. Whether you lead programs, manage partnerships, or support community engagement, this course helps you apply your skills in ways that strengthen relationships, uncover opportunities, and deliver value through shared outcomes. What You’ll Learn: - Lead change by aligning organizational goals with community needs and assets. - Apply systems thinking to guide strategic transitions across teams or regions. - Use asset mapping and needs assessments to surface opportunities and guide engagement. - Strengthen your ability to co-create solutions with stakeholders and partners.

Syllabus

  • Sustainability and Resilience
    • This module introduces core ideas behind sustainability and resilience and how they shape long-term thinking. Learners explore the balance between social, economic, and environmental priorities, and examine how systems adapt to disruption. The module also highlights common assumptions about sustainability and shows how a resilience lens can uncover vulnerabilities, strengthen adaptive capacity, and guide decision-making in changing environments.
  • Needs Assessment and Asset Thinking
    • This module introduces practical tools for understanding a community’s needs, strengths, and priorities. Learners explore how to build relationships, engage stakeholders, and gather meaningful input through structured assessments. The module breaks down each step of the needs assessment process and shows how to surface barriers and opportunities. It also introduces asset mapping as a way to identify local resources, support systems, and existing capacity that can guide strategy and build momentum for change.
  • Systems Thinking for Change
    • This module focuses on how systems thinking can guide real, lasting change in organizations and communities. Learners explore how to identify leverage points, anticipate unintended consequences, and manage complexity across teams and networks. The module connects systems thinking to inclusive leadership, project management, and the triple bottom line. Learners also reflect on their role as changemakers and gain practical strategies for supporting collaboration, co-creation, and resilient outcomes.

Taught by

Joel Hartter

Reviews

5.0 rating, based on 1 Class Central review

4.6 rating at Coursera based on 57 ratings

Start your review of Transforming Communities

  • Anonymous
    I found this course keen relevant to me, as I am currently working in the community to bring change in traditional norms, and values that hindering transformation.

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