Designed to help students think critically about social equity as the fourth pillar of public administration. Covering the origins of social equity as a concept in public administration. The course will also examine how social equity has been operationalized in practice, including how organizations create more equitable workplaces and communities and barriers to achieving social equity. Lastly, students will explore their roles and responsibilities to build a more just society as future public sector leaders.

This course emphasizes the practical application and implementation of various approaches to economic development. Students will apply tools/strategies by doing case studies and small group projects based on real-world scenarios faced by local practitioners.

Community revitalization requires mastery of community development methods, the real estate development process, and public-private partnerships. Techniques include demographic trend analysis, stakeholder identification, government entitlement review, area and parcel analysis, market research, and pro forma financial analysis. 

Students apply their skills in business, planning, or public administration to actual community revitalization projects in North Carolina communities. Projects require an understanding of community development methods, the real estate development process, and public-private partnerships. Students will manage client relationships and learn how their skills contribute to solving community challenges. This course is ideal for first year graduate students.