Place-Based Systems Change for Sustainable Societies course syllabus

  • Understanding the what, how, and why of systems change is essential for building sustainable societies that address our multiple interrelated crises, including climate change, biodiversity loss, inequality, systemic racism, and social breakdown. Systems change is often presented in abstract and theoretical ways but needs to be concrete and practical to have real-world impact. Orienting systems change within local and regional contexts around people’s connection to place engages hearts and minds and leads to tangible solutions that alter patterns of human behavior at the root of our interrelated crises.

    This course provides a comprehensive, actionable guide to systems change to place-based systems change as a central means to a just, sustainable society. The course begins with exploring how corporate capitalism has shaped the systems that influence people’s lives today and fed growing alienation from community and nature. Lectures, discussions, and class activities then guide you through the vision of place-based systems and the roadmap anchored in systems change levers and catalysts that reduce alienation and regenerate community, nature, and local economies. A hands-on group project offers an opportunity to learn about and contribute to place-based systems change firsthand.

  • Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

    • Explain place-based systems (what), their role in addressing environmental and societal crises (why), barriers to developing place-based systems, and the use of systems change levers and catalysts to overcome them (how).

    • Understand the relationship and dynamics among systems, place, and human behavior as the basis for a just, sustainable society.

    • Explain the role of collaboration, government, education, and personal change as catalysts for systems change.

    • Apply systems change levers in a real-world, place-based context.

  • Biggar, Matt. 2025. Connected to Place: Regenerating Nature, Community, and Local Economies through Systems Change.

    Dayen, David. 2020. Monopolized: Life in the Age of Corporate Power. New York, NY: The New Press.

    Dixson-Decleve, Sandrine. 2022. Earth for All: A Survival Guide for Humanity. BC, Canada: New Society Publishers.

    Rayner, C. and Bonnici, F. 2020. The Systems Work of Social Change. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

    Wheeler, S. and Rosan, C. 2021. Reimagining Sustainable Cities: Strategies for Designing Greener, Healthier, More Equitable Communities. Oakland, CA. University of California Press.

    • Attend and participate in the class. This course’s success depends on every student actively participating in discussions and class activities.

    • Submit all assignments on time unless alternative arrangements are made with the instructor.

    • Complete a place-based group project, applying theory and learnings from the course.

    • Adhere to the University’s honor code.

    • Write two synthesis papers (two to three pages, 1.5 spacing, 12 font), one for Part One and the other for Part Two of the course. The paper should be based on the Part’s topics and readings and synthesize them into your own understanding. The paper should include reflection and analysis, not summaries, of the readings and demonstrate a mastery of relevant course objectives.

    • Work on a group project with an outside organization or collaborative. A list of potential projects will be presented at the beginning of the quarter.

    • Prepare and deliver a group presentation on your group project to the rest of the class at the end of the semester.

    • Write a final paper (seven to ten pages, 1.5 spacing, 12 font) on what you will do to advance systems change. Include an argument for the what, how, and why of systems change that incorporates reflection on your group project, the course content, and how the project and content intersect. Explain the relationship among systems, place, and human behavior and the role of collaboration, government, education, or personal change as systems change catalysts in making your argument.

  • Your grade will be based on the following:

    • Attendance and class participation (20 percent)

    • Commentary papers (20 percent total)

    • Group project and presentation (30 percent)

    • Final paper (30 percent)

  • PART 1: SYSTEMS, PLACE AND HOW WE LIVE IN THE 21ST CENTURY

     Week One: Alienation and Changing How We Live

    • Introduction to Course

    • Alienation and 21st Century Crises

    • Corporate Capitalist Forces

    • Collective Well-Being and Human Behavior

    • Context and Human Behavior

    Assignments and Tasks

    • Complete the readings and review the syllabus before class

    • Reflection on personal change

    Readings

    -       Introduction, Chapters 1 and 2. Connected to Place.

    -       Introduction. Monopolized.

    -       Chapter 2. The Systems Work of Social Change.

     Week Two: Regeneration and Place-Based Systems

    • Connection to Place

    • Regeneration of Nature, Community, and Local Wealth

    • Overview of the Eight Place-based Systems

    • Systems Change Levers

    Assignments and Tasks

    • Take the poll for group projects within two days following the first class

    • In-class time provided for discussion of projects and meeting of the project groups

    Readings

    -       Chapters 3 and 4. Connected to Place.

    -       Chapter 1. Earth for All.

    -       Introduction, Chapters 3 and 7. The Systems Work of Social Change.

    PART TWO: PLACE-BASED SYSTEMS CHANGE

    Week Three: Making Housing Available and Affordable (Housing System) and Prioritizing Local Business and Work (Work System)

    Guest Speaker: Housing and community development expert/advocate

    • Systems Change Levers to Strategies

    • Housing and Work Status Quo

    • Mixed-Income, Mixed-Use Communities

    • Local Work

    • Housing and Work Systems Change

     Assignments and Tasks

    • Synthesis Paper #1 due at the start of class

    • In-class time provided for groups to work on projects: scope and timeline

    Readings

    -       Chapters 5 and 6. Connected to Place.

    -       Chapter 10. Monopolized.

    -       Chapters 3 and 4. Reimagining Sustainable Cities.

    Week Four: Reducing Car Dependence (Transportation System)

    • Car Dependency

    • Active, Community-Oriented, Pollution-Free Modes

    • Transportation Systems Change

    • Connections among Systems

     Assignments and Tasks

    • Experiential activity during class: observing and analyzing transportation modes and systems in real time.

    • At least one site visit/meeting with an organization or collaborative for group project completed before class

     Readings

    -       Chapter 7. Connected to Place.

    -       Chapter 6. Reimagining Sustainable Cities.

    Week Five: Revitalizing Nature and Community Spaces for Nearby Connection (Public Space System)

    Guest Speaker: Local nature and public space expert/advocate

    • Nature Deficit Disorder and Community Breakdown

    • Connecting with Local Community and Nature

    • Digital Society and Barriers to Getting Outside

    • Community and Nature Space Systems Change

     Assignments and Tasks

    • Short (two-page) report due at the start of class describing progress on group projects (including meetings, accomplishments, concerns, issues, questions, etc.)

    Readings

    -       Chapters 8 and 9. Connected to Place.

    -       Chapter 6. Earth for All.

    -       Chapters 8 and 10. Reimagining Sustainable Cities.

     Week Six: Local Food and Regional Foodsheds (Food System)

    Guest Speaker: Local/regional food expert

    • Globalized, Industrialized Agriculture and Meat-Based Diets

    • Local Food and Well-Being Diets

    • Food Systems Change

     Assignments and Tasks

    • In-class time for group projects: planning the remainder of the project

    • Local food potluck

     Readings

    -       Chapter 10. Connected to Place.

    -       Chapter 2. Monopolized.

    -       Chapter 7. Earth for All.

    Week Seven: Regional Energysheds, Makingsheds and Fibersheds (Energy and Consumer Goods Systems)  

    Guest Speaker Panel: Regional energy and making/manufacturing experts

    • Energy Consumption

    • Global Economy and Consumerism

    • Harvesting and Conserving Regional, Renewable Energy

    • Sharing, Repairing, and Recirculating Regionally Made Goods

    • Energy and Consumer Goods Systems Change

     Assignments and Tasks

    • Continue work on group project

    Readings

    -       Chapters 11 and 12. Connected to Place.

    -       Chapter 8. Monopolized.

    -       Chapter 9. Reimagining Sustainable Cities.

    PART THREE: CATALYZING PLACE-BASED SYSTEMS AND LIVING

    Week Eight: Place-based Collaboration

    • Collective Power

    • Community Authority

    • Trusting, Valued Relationships

    • Essential Conditions for Place-Based Collaboration

     Assignments and Tasks

    • Synthesis Paper #2 due at the start of class

    • In-class time provided for groups to work on projects: wrapping up projects and preparing presentation outline

    Readings

    -       Chapter 13. Connected to Place.

    -       Chapters 4, 6, and 9. The Systems Work of Social Change.

     Week Nine: Aligning Government and Education with Place-based Systems

    • Political Leadership

    • Restructuring Local Government

    • Systems-Oriented Local Government Planning

    • Role of Regional, State, and Federal Government

    • Testing and Technology in Education

    • Place-based Education

    Assignments and Tasks

    • Conclude group project

    • Work on the final paper

    Readings

    -       Chapters 14 and 15. Connected to Place.

    -       Chapter 11. Reimagining Sustainable Cities.

     Week Ten: Place-based Identity and Personal Change + Group Project Presentations

    • Developing Sense and Knowledge of Place and Place-based Identities

    • Place-based Living

    • Participation in Place-based Systems Building

    Assignments and Tasks

    • Group Project Presentations given during class

    • Work on the final paper

    Readings

    -       Chapter 16. Connected to Place.

    -       Chapter 12. Reimagining Sustainable Cities.

    Finals

    • Final paper due