All course information is listed within this syllabus.
CEDEV 567: Resilient Communities and Ecosystems (3 credits). Understanding connections between communities and surrounding ecosystems; exploration of management techniques for building adaptive, resilient, and sustainable communities and environments.
Prerequisites: CEDEV 452 and CEDEV 509
Instructor
Mary Kate Berardi
Assistant Teaching Professor
Coordinator, Community and Economic Development (CEDEV)
Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education
302 Armsby Building
University Park, PA 16802
E-mail: Use Canvas Inbox
Course Overview
CEDEV 567 is an elective course within the Master of Professional Studies in Community and Economic Development program. The course is designed to provide students with a foundational understanding of the dynamic interconnections between communities and their surrounding environments. It explores the institutional constraints and boundaries that shape these relationships and examines their collective impact on long-term community and economic development across multiple spatial and temporal scales. To ensure adequate preparation, it is strongly recommended that students complete CEDEV 452 and CEDEV 509, or equivalent coursework, prior to enrolling in this course.
Course Organization
The first section of the course introduces the concept of resilience and the integrated nature of social-ecological systems. Students will engage with theoretical frameworks that highlight the interdependence of human and environmental systems. The second section focuses on essential tools for managing these systems, including an analysis of the social, regulatory, and political contexts in which social-ecological interactions occur.
Throughout the course, students will critically examine case studies that illustrate the complexities of social-ecological systems. These case studies will serve as a basis for in-depth discussions on the implications of resilience thinking for community and economic development. In the final section, the course will address the concept of scale, strategies for cross-scale management, and the significance of operating within social and institutional boundaries to foster resilient and sustainable community development.
As a culminating activity, students will apply the concepts and tools acquired throughout the course to a simulated community planning exercise, enabling them to synthesize their learning in a practical, integrative context.
Course Objectives
By the end of CEDEV 567, you should be able to:
- Explain foundational concepts of resilience and evaluate their significance in promoting long-term sustainability and adaptive capacity within communities.
- Analyze the relationship between community identity and environmental context, emphasizing how social and ecological interactions shape development outcomes.
- Critically assess theoretical and practical approaches to managing social-ecological systems, with attention to complexity, uncertainty, and stakeholder engagement.
- Examine the influence of governmental, regulatory, and institutional frameworks on community development and environmental change across scales.
- Apply resilience and community development principles to real-world case studies involving social-environmental conflict, identifying strategies for resolution and transformation.
- Integrate course concepts through the analysis of self-selected examples, demonstrating the ability to evaluate development processes, identify barriers, and propose context-sensitive solutions.
Course Outline
M1 Resilient Communities and Environments
M2 Resilience and Adaptation
M3 Population and Resources
M4 First Reflective Essay
M5 Markets and Commodities
M6 Institutions and "The Commons"
M7 Risks and Technologies
M8 Second Reflective Essay
M9 From Environmental Ethics to Environmental Laws
M10 Environmental Planning — Part 1
M11 Environmental Planning — Part 2
M12 Environmental Planning in Practice
M13 Managing Socio-Ecological Systems Across Scales
M14 Socio-Ecological Systems and Resilience
M15 Final Project
Course Schedule
For due dates, refer to the Course Summary on the Syllabus page in Canvas.
Course Materials
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check the World Campus Course Catalog approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.
Required
ISBN: 978-1119408239
Robbins, P., Hintz, J. G., & Moore, S. A. (2022). Environment and Society: A Critical Introduction (3rd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
ISBN: 978-1597268011
Walker, B., & Salt, D. (2012). Resilience Practice: Building Capacity to Absorb Disturbance and Maintain Function (1st ed.). Island Press. (E-Book option available)
For pricing and ordering information, please see the Barnes & Noble College website.
Materials will be available at Barnes & Noble College approximately three weeks before the course begins. It is very important that you purchase the correct materials. If your course requires one or more textbooks, you must have exactly the correct text required (edition and year).
Optional
The following textbook is optional and is available for free online on the Sustaining the Commons website.
Anderies, J. M., & Janssen, M. A. (2016). Sustaining the Commons (2nd ed.). Center for Behavior, Institutions and the Environment.
E-Book Option
An online version of one or more of your texts is available at no cost as a Penn State Library E-Book. Some E-Books will only be available online, while others will be available to download in full or in part. You may choose to use the E-Book as an alternative to purchasing a physical copy of the text. You can access the E-Book by selecting Library Resources in the Course Navigation Menu, and then selecting the E-Reserves link. For questions or issues, you can contact the University Libraries Reserve Help (UL-RESERVESHELP@LISTS.PSU.EDU).
E-Reserves
This course requires that you access Penn State library materials specifically reserved for this course. You can access these materials by selecting Library Resources in the Course Navigation Menu, or by accessing the Library E-Reserves Search and searching for your instructor's last name.
Note: You must have an active Penn State Access Account and be registered with the University Libraries in order to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and services. Registration and services are free!
Assignments
Missed Modules and Late Work
Students are expected to turn work in on the dates announced in the course. However, we realize that most of you are working professionals and will on occasion have to do something that will keep you from completing module work on time. If you have a conflict for work, travel, or family, please notify your instructors as soon as you can BEFORE your scheduled conflict. We are willing to work with you, but you have to work with us too! Likewise, this is a privilege and not a right—if we feel you are abusing this privilege, we have the option of not accepting your work for that module or modules.
Grading Policy
The following table is the grading criteria for the course.
| Requirement | Cumulative Point Value |
|---|---|
| Discussion | 32 |
|
Reflective Essays |
20 |
|
Assignments/Final Project |
48 |
| TOTAL: | 100 |
The following table is the grading scheme for the course.
| Letter Grade | Percentage |
|---|---|
| A | 100% – 94% |
| A- | < 94% – 90% |
| B+ | < 90% – 87% |
| B | < 87% – 84% |
| B- | < 84% – 80% |
| C+ | < 80% – 77% |
| C | < 77% – 70% |
| D | < 70% – 60% |
| F | < 60% |
Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Graduate Courses for additional information.
Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please see "Graduation" under World Campus Student Resources.
Online Students Use of the Library
As Penn State students, you have access to many of the materials that the library offers to students. The library website has a lot to offer but can be overwhelming. A guide has been created to serve as your introduction to important library resources, services, and important pages within the library. The Online Student Library Guide is updated regularly by the online librarian. It is intended to provide a level of comfort through an introduction to help you feel comfortable navigating the library website to find valuable information for your coursework.
Technical Requirements
This course is offered online and it is assumed you possess the minimum system requirements and computing skills to participate effectively. A list of technical requirements is listed on World Campus' Penn State Technical Requirements page.
Minimum Skills
- You should have an understanding of basic computer usage (creating folders/directories, switching between programs, formatting and backing up media, accessing the internet).
- You must be able to conduct word processing tasks such as creating, editing, saving, and retrieving documents.
- You must be able to use a web browser to open web pages, download files, and search the internet.
- You must be able to use an e-mail program to send and receive messages and to attach and download documents/files.
- You must be able to download and install programs or plug-ins from the internet.
Getting Help With Canvas Courses
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Support Services
As a student, you have access to a variety of services and resources, including advising, tutoring, library services, career services, and more. Please visit the following resources for more information:
- World Campus Student Services
- Penn State Student Support Resources for University Park and Commonwealth campuses
Accessibility Information
Netiquette
The term "Netiquette" refers to the etiquette guidelines for electronic communications, such as e-mail and discussion postings. Netiquette covers not only rules to maintain civility in discussions but also special guidelines unique to the electronic nature of messages. Please review Virginia Shea's "The Core Rules of Netiquette" for general guidelines that should be followed when communicating in this course.
Penn State Policies
Login Policy
Students are expected to log in regularly to keep up to date with announcements, discussions, etc. The class will progress at a regular pace throughout the semester and there are specific due dates and times for assignments, etc.
Course Availability
Your course will be available to you beginning the first day of class and will remain open for one year. After one year the course will close.
Academic Integrity
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According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity, an academic integrity violation is "an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically." Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean's List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.
You can learn more at The College of Agricultural Sciences Academic Integrity Information for Students.
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Copyright Notice
All course materials students receive or to which students have online access are protected by copyright laws. Students may use course materials and make copies for their own use as needed, but unauthorized distribution and/or uploading of materials without the instructor's express permission is strictly prohibited. University Policy AD40, Recording of Classroom Activities and Note-Taking Services, addresses this issue. Students who engage in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials may be held in violation of the University's Code of Conduct, and/or liable under federal and state laws.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Many students at Penn State face personal challenges or have psychological needs that may interfere with their academic progress, social development, or emotional well-being. The University offers a variety of confidential services to help you through difficult times, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, consultations, online chats, and mental health screenings. These services are provided by staff who welcome all students and embrace a philosophy respectful of clients' cultural and religious backgrounds, and sensitive to differences in race, ability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
- Counseling and Psychological Services at University Park (CAPS): 814-863-0395
- Counseling and Psychological Services at Commonwealth Campuses
- Penn State Crisis Line (24 hours/7 days/week): 1-877-229-6400
- Crisis Text Line (24 hours/7 days/week): Text LIONS to 741741
Accommodations for Persons With Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources website provides contact information for every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the Student Disability Resources page.
In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Accommodations for Military Personnel
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or spouses with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, disabilities, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
Use of Trade Names
Where trade names are used, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by World Campus, Outreach and Cooperative Extension, the College of Agricultural Sciences, or The Pennsylvania State University is implied.
Subject to Change Statement
Please note that this Course Syllabus is subject to change. Students are responsible for abiding by such changes.
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search to start planning ahead.
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search to start planning ahead.
