Public Affairs 2150: Nonprofit Organizing for Diversity & Justice

GOAL 1: Successful students will explore and analyze a range of perspectives on local, national, or global citizenship, and apply the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that constitute citizenship.

• Describe and analyze a range of perspectives on what constitutes citizenship and how it differs across political, cultural, national, global, and/or historical communities.
• Identify, reflect on, and apply the knowledge, skills and dispositions required for intercultural competence as a global citizen.

GOAL 2: Successful students will examine notions of justice amidst difference and analyze and critique how these interact with historically and socially constructed ideas of citizenship and membership within societies, both within the US and/or around the world.

• Examine, critique, and evaluate various expressions and implications of diversity, equity, inclusion, and explore a variety of lived experiences.
• Analyze and critique the intersection of concepts of justice, difference, citizenship, and how these interact with cultural traditions, structures of power and/or advocacy for social change.

GOAL 3. Successful students will explore and analyze a range of perspectives on local, national, or global citizenship and apply the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that constitute citizenship.

• Describe and analyze a range of perspectives on what constitutes citizenship and how it differs across political, cultural, national, global, and/or historical communities.
• Identify, reflect on, and apply the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required for intercultural competence as a global citizen.

GOAL 4. Successful students will examine notions of justice amid difference and analyze and critique how these interact with historically and socially constructed ideas of citizenship and membership within society, both within the United States and around the world.

• Examine, critique, and evaluate various expressions and implications of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and explore a variety of lived experiences.
• Analyze and critique the intersection of concepts of justice, difference, citizenship, and how these interact with cultural traditions, structures of power, and/or advocacy for social change.

This course examines nonprofit organizing as a form of citizenship. It draws on theories from disparate disciplines to demonstrate the diversity of the sector. The sector spans the arts, education, healthcare, human services, environmental sustainability, religion, and humanitarian relief. It is through nonprofit organizations like these that many Americans demonstrate their citizenship to their local area, state, country, and to the world. While the course primarily focuses on nonprofits in the United States, we also consider the impact of international nongovernmental organizations and philanthropy.

The course asks students to engage in multiple modes of inquiry and modalities:

• Dialogic Debate: Class time is partially spent discussing issues in the nonprofit sector, taking a critical stance that highlights matters of equity, power, and ethics.
• Taking a Position: Students write multiple position essays that take a stance on a controversial issue. These assignments require drawing on credible sources to develop logical arguments. One essay is written collaboratively in a group.
• Personal Reflection: Students write multiple reflection essays that encourage deep and critical contemplation. The essays lead students to a personal theory of social change that can guide their personal and professional development.

This is a 3 credit-hour course. According to Ohio State bylaws on instruction (go.osu.edu/credit hours), students should expect around 3 hours per week of time spent on direct instruction in addition to 6 hours of homework (reading and assignment preparation).

Readings: 

• LeRoux, Kelly & Feeney, Mary K., (2015) Nonprofit Organizations and Civil Society in the United States. NY: Routledge. Print ISBN: 9780415661447. 
• TopHat
• CarmenCanvas

Grading

• 15%    Attendance, Participation, & Contribution

• 15%    “Looking Back” Reflection (Due: 1/23)

• 15%    “Theory of Change” Reflection (Due: 4/18)

• 20%    Group Position Paper (sign up for a date on CarmenCanvas)

• 20%    Individual Position Paper (Due: 3/28)

• 15%    Final Exam (4/29)

You will write two reflection papers in this course. They are opportunities to explore your personal values, interests, strengths, and preferences, and how they intersect with the nonprofit sector. You can find the rubric on CarmenCanvas.

“Looking Back” Reflection:

This first reflection asks you to consider how you have engaged with the nonprofit sector in the past by posing the question: How have nonprofits impacted your life? Your reflection should be 700-1,000 words (12-point font, single-spaced) in addition to your “Nonprofit Stats.” See CarmenCanvas for further instructions.

“Theory of Change” Reflection:

This final reflection asks you to consider how you want to engage with the nonprofit sector going forward by posing the question: What is your personal theory of change? Your reflection should be 700-1,000 words (12-point font, single-spaced). See CarmenCanvas for further instructions.

Throughout the course we will engage in various debates affecting the nonprofit sector. These debates will expose you to a broad array of perspectives with an opportunity for critical thinking. The in-class dialogic debates, a group position paper, an individual position paper, and the final exam will teach you how to develop a position on a topic, present it convincingly, and support it with evidence. This means you will need to do some research on the debate topic beyond the assigned (and advised) readings.

The goal of these position papers is to convince a member of the public of your position. For this reason, the essays are meant to be succinct, persuasive, and evidence-based. An outline for how to organize a position essay and the rubric for these assignments can be found on CarmenCanvas.

Group Position Paper:

At the beginning of the semester you will choose a group in the "People" section of CarmenCanvas and will (at the same time) sign up for one of the class debates (available debates are noted with an asterisk* in the below Class Schedule and appear in the group list in the "People" section). Papers are due the day your chosen debate is conducted in class, before class begins. You should not wait until the week before your deadline to begin researching and writing your group’s position paper. Remember to cite sources for the evidence you supply and include a Bibliography. Your paper should be a maximum of 1,500 words (12-point font, single-spaced), excluding the bibliography.

All group members are expected to contribute to the paper. After your assignment is submitted, each member of the group will be responsible for completing a peer evaluation of the members of your group. The evaluation form is available on CarmenCanvas and is due shortly after your position paper is due. You earn 5% of this assignment’s grade upon completion of the evaluation, 15% is allocated according to your group member’s perception of your contribution, and the remaining 80% is a group grade for the paper using the position essay rubric.

Individual Position Paper:

You will write a position paper on the debate question: Should policy further restrict nonprofit executive compensation? Remember to cite sources for the evidence you supply and include a Bibliography. Your paper should be a maximum of 1,500 words (12-point font, single-spaced), excluding the bibliography.

Final Exam:

The final exam will be in essay format, but due to time limitations it may be shorter than the other position essays you write this semester. You will be presented with a choice of two nonprofit-related debate questions and then be asked to take a position on one of them. You may access any of the course materials, but you will only have the duration of the exam session to write your essay. The Final Exam will be taken online via CarmenCanvas. The exam questions will be posted to the Assignments section of CarmenCanvas at the beginning of our assigned exam period. You must submit your essay through CarmenCanvas by the end of the exam period, giving you 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete it.