URP 532, Section 1

However sustainability is defined, achieving it will require changing contemporary society. Therefore this class investigates theories and research findings from several fields about how societies change all multiple scales. Although the focus is on social change, the course views society as a complex adaptive system, and explores the connections among social, technical, and natural systems. Change theories examined include the adoption of innovations, institutional evolution, social entrepreneurship, civic technology, sociotechnical transition, and tactical urbanism. Theoretical readings are complemented by close study of cases as well as a diverse array of invited guests. The course is taught in a seminar format and assignments include a weekly response essay, and scholarly book review, and a final essay.