Nonprofit Advocacy-Lobbying

Catalog description

In addition to their role in service delivery to the community, nonprofits serve an important function as advocacy organizations, providing information to policy makers on their particular areas of expertise, lobbying government for change, and providing information on particular policy positions. This course provides students with an overview to the nonprofit functions of advocacy and lobbying, examining ways that nonprofits may and may not become involved in the public policy process. The role of advocacy in advancing issues of democracy and social justice are explored, as well as strategies to build social capital within communities. International case studies of innovative and successful advocacy campaigns will be introduced as examples of advocacy strategies that worked and why. The interdisciplinary curriculum draws on theories from sociology, political science, organization theory and social work.