"Making" Progress Teach-Out from Coursera

What is “progress”? How do we decide when we’re moving forward and not taking steps backward? And how do we explore the idea of progress around public sites of memory? This Teach-Out is an invitation to think about what progress means, and how you can look for it wherever you are—in your city, community, or neighborhood—and reflect upon your own ideas about the place you live in.

Changes in the built environment of our communities are themselves the result of human actions and intentions, such as municipal planning, commercial enterprises, or communities transforming their own space. In other words, in our cities we can see the results of our plans—our attempts to create and shape the future. Neighbors, political groups, corporations, governments, schools, and other organizations, they all shape the community, leaving traces that allow us to see in what directions they transformed our lives.

This Teach-Out will ask the following questions:

• What are the forces that shape and change the places we inhabit?

• How do people connect with places in our modern cities?

• Do places progress?

• How can we measure in them whether there is any “progress”?

We will interview a number of people who work in Atlanta, Georgia, but the questions and places we will see here are comparable to many of other places in the world on what it means to progress. In this Teach-Out you will learn how to find the history of public spaces in any community and how to reflect upon the idea of progress. Finally, you can join a conversation to discuss what has been explored, uncovered, and possibly transformed both within ourselves and our communities.

A Teach-Out is:

– an event – it takes place over a fixed, short period of time

– an opportunity – it is open for free participation to everyone around the world

– a community – it will be joined by a large number of diverse individuals

– a conversation – an opportunity to give and take ideas and information from people

This community learning event invites participants from around the world to come together in conversation with the Emory campus community, including faculty experts. This Teach-Out is part of Emory’s commitment to engage the local and global community in exploring and understanding problems, events, and phenomena most important to our society.

Originating from University of Michigan (Teach-Out.org), Teach-Outs are short learning experiences focused on a specific current issue. Attendees will come together over a few days not only to learn about a subject or event but also to gain skills. Teach-Outs are open to the world and are designed to bring together individuals with wide-ranging perspectives in respectful and deep conversation. These events are an opportunity for diverse learners and a multitude of experts to come together to ask questions of one another and explore new solutions to the pressing concerns of our global community. Come, join the conversation!

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1

WEEK 2

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a cross-disciplinary approach to public space through the lens of municipal and commercial planning, community development, and neighborhood revitalization

Examines public spaces in Atlanta, Georgia as examples of public space change, but emphasizes that these examples relate to similar issues in many other cities worldwide

Develops your ability to research the history of public spaces in any community and to reflect upon the idea of progress

Helps you identify the forces that shape and change the places you inhabit

Encourages critical reflection on your connection with places in modern cities

Reviews summary

Highly praised teach-out

According to students, Making Progress Teach-Out offers a new way of apprehending progress and being progressive. Learners largely agree that the format of the course and its engaging content made them rethink how they view their city and their place in it. In fact, some students have already begun applying the concepts they learned in the course to their own work.

Course encourages students to reconsider their understanding of progress.

"made me rethink my city and the way I see it."

Learnings can be applied in real life.

"I used the concept of conflict presented by Diana Francis just yesterday in a meeting."

Course offers fresh ideas.

"offers new perspective in apprehending our notions of progress and being progressive"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in "Making" Progress Teach-Out with these activities:

Review Placemaking Concepts

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Get a stronger foundation in placemaking concepts to enhance your understanding of how places are shaped and transformed.

Browse courses on Placemaking

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Read articles and books on placemaking
Watch videos and documentaries about placemaking projects
Attend a local placemaking workshop or event

Analyze Public Spaces Using Mapping Tools

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Develop practical skills in using mapping tools to analyze public spaces and their impact on communities.

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Learn the basics of GIS mapping software
Collect data on public spaces using surveys, interviews, or observations
Create maps and visualizations that illustrate the data
Analyze the maps to identify patterns and trends

Attend a Workshop on Participatory Placemaking

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Deepen your understanding of participatory placemaking and gain practical insights through a structured workshop.

Browse courses on Community Development

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Research and identify workshops on participatory placemaking
Register for a workshop that aligns with your interests and learning objectives
Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions and activities

Five other activities

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Explore Online Resources on Public Space Design

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Expand your knowledge of public space design by exploring a range of online resources and tutorials.

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Identify reputable websites and organizations that provide resources on public space design
Review online articles, tutorials, and webinars on specific aspects of public space design
Participate in online forums and discussions to connect with experts and enthusiasts

Discuss Case Studies of Placemaking Initiatives

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Engage with peers to exchange perspectives and deepen understanding of successful placemaking initiatives.

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Identify case studies of successful placemaking initiatives
Share and discuss the case studies with a group of peers
Analyze the key factors that contributed to the success of the initiatives

Participate in a Community Placemaking Project

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Gain practical experience and make a real contribution to your community by participating in a placemaking project.

Browse courses on Community Engagement

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Identify a community placemaking project that aligns with your interests
Contact the project organizers and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Participate in the project activities, such as design workshops, community meetings, or construction efforts

Create a Visual Representation of Placemaking Principles

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Enhance your comprehension and communication skills by visually representing the principles of placemaking.

Browse courses on Infographics

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Choose a specific placemaking principle to focus on
Research and gather information on the principle
Create a visual representation of the principle using graphics, images, or diagrams

Contribute to Open-Source Mapping Projects

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Enhance your mapping skills and contribute to a global resource by participating in open-source mapping projects.

Browse courses on OpenStreetMap

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Sign up for an account on a platform like OpenStreetMap
Learn the basics of open-source mapping tools and data structures
Contribute to mapping projects in your local area or other regions of interest

Career center

Learners who complete "Making" Progress Teach-Out will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Urban Planner

An Urban Planner plays a prominent role in determining how cities should expand and grow while also preserving historical and environmental concerns. As such, this profession may attract a person who is passionate about shaping the future of their community in a responsible way. This course would be helpful in providing an Urban Planner with the opportunity to reflect upon the idea of progress, particularly as it relates to public spaces.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

City Planner

A City Planner develops plans for the development of cities and towns, taking into account factors such as population growth, economic development, and environmental sustainability. They must be able to understand the needs of the community and create plans that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This course, with its focus on the history of public spaces and how they have been shaped by human actions and intentions, may be useful for a City Planner who wants to create plans that are not only beautiful but also meaningful to the community.

See salaries and explore the career path for City Planner

Architect

An Architect designs buildings and other structures, taking into account factors such as cost, function, and aesthetics. They must be able to understand the needs of their clients and create designs that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This course, with its focus on the history of public spaces and how they have been shaped by human actions and intentions, may be useful for an Architect who wants to create buildings and structures that are not only beautiful but also meaningful to the community.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architect

Landscape Architect

Landscape Architects plan and design outdoor spaces, including parks, gardens, and other public areas. They must be able to understand the needs of the community and create spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This course, with its focus on the history of public spaces and how they have been shaped by human actions and intentions, may be useful for a Landscape Architect who wants to create spaces that are not only beautiful but also meaningful to the community.

See salaries and explore the career path for Landscape Architect

Historian

A Historian studies the past and its impact on the present. They may specialize in a particular period of time or region of the world. This course, with its focus on the history of public spaces and how they have been shaped by human actions and intentions, may be useful for a Historian who wants to understand how the past has shaped the present and how to learn from those experiences.

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Environmental Scientist

An Environmental Scientist studies the environment and its components, including air, water, and land. They may also study the effects of human activities on the environment. This course, with its focus on the history of public spaces and how they have been shaped by human actions and intentions, may be useful for an Environmental Scientist who wants to understand the impact of human activities on the environment and how to mitigate those impacts.

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Sociologist

A Sociologist studies human society and behavior. They may specialize in a particular area of sociology, such as crime, education, or family. This course, with its focus on the history of public spaces and how they have been shaped by human actions and intentions, may be useful for a Sociologist who wants to understand how human behavior has shaped society and how to improve society.

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Geographer

A Geographer studies the Earth's surface, including its physical features, climate, and human population. They may also study the interactions between humans and the environment. This course, with its focus on the history of public spaces and how they have been shaped by human actions and intentions, may be useful for a Geographer who wants to understand how human activities have shaped the Earth's surface and how to mitigate those impacts.

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Anthropologist

An Anthropologist studies human cultures and societies. They may specialize in a particular region of the world or a particular aspect of culture, such as language, religion, or politics. This course, with its focus on the history of public spaces and how they have been shaped by human actions and intentions, may be useful for an Anthropologist who wants to understand how human culture has shaped society and how to improve society.

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Archivist

An Archivist is responsible for the care and preservation of historical documents. They may also be responsible for making these documents accessible to the public. This course, with its focus on the history of public spaces and how they have been shaped by human actions and intentions, may be useful for an Archivist who wants to understand how to preserve and make accessible historical documents that are meaningful to the community.

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Museum curator

A Museum Curator is responsible for the care and preservation of museum collections. They may also be responsible for developing and implementing museum exhibits. This course, with its focus on the history of public spaces and how they have been shaped by human actions and intentions, may be useful for a Museum Curator who wants to understand how to create exhibits that are not only informative but also meaningful to the community.

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Librarian

A Librarian is responsible for the care and management of libraries and their collections. They may also be responsible for providing library services to the public. This course, with its focus on the history of public spaces and how they have been shaped by human actions and intentions, may be useful for a Librarian who wants to understand how to create library collections and services that are not only informative but also meaningful to the community.

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Journalist

A Journalist is responsible for gathering, writing, and reporting news stories. They may specialize in a particular area of journalism, such as politics, crime, or sports. This course, with its focus on the history of public spaces and how they have been shaped by human actions and intentions, may be useful for a Journalist who wants to understand how to report on the news in a way that is not only accurate but also meaningful to the community.

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Community Organizer

A Community Organizer is responsible for mobilizing and empowering communities to take action on issues that are important to them. They may work with a variety of groups, such as neighborhood associations, religious organizations, or labor unions. This course, with its focus on the history of public spaces and how they have been shaped by human actions and intentions, may be useful for a Community Organizer who wants to understand how to build relationships and empower communities to make a difference.

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Teacher

A Teacher is responsible for teaching students at a school or other educational institution. They may specialize in a particular subject area, such as social studies, science, or math. This course, with its focus on the history of public spaces and how they have been shaped by human actions and intentions, may be useful for a Teacher who wants to incorporate this knowledge into their teaching to help students understand the world around them.

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