UMass Boston

Course Overview

Description

This course examines key concepts of change management in community settings. It provides an introduction to social change theories and their application to community settings and to models and approaches to community change. The course teaches students strategies for identifying and addressing issues in the change-managment process, and for managing change more effectively, giving consideration to the cultural, racial, ethnic, and socio-economic make-up of the community. The role of culture and the impact of globalization on change efforts and implications for practitioners in global inclusion and social development will be considered as well. Real-world examples focused on health, disability, and development, provided by leaders who are experienced change agents, will demonstrate how communities can effectively manage change. The course also teaches students how to assess the needs and abilities of communities for change and to evaluate community change efforts with a particular emphasis on stakeholder involvement. Master's and doctoral students in global inclusion and social development can choose to take this course or the Strategies for Systemic Change course.