Public Affairs 7194: Nonprofit Research Seminar

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This is a sample syllabus to provide general information about the course and it's requirements. Course requirements are subject to change. This syllabus does not contain all assignment or course detail and currently enrolled students should reference the syllabus provided by their instructor. For a specific syllabus, please email us a request.

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Course Overview

3 Credit Hours
Modalities Available: In Person 
 

The nonprofit and voluntary sector plays a vital role in American society and other national settings. This course provides public and nonprofit scholars and leaders with an orientation to the essential and distinctive characteristics of the nonprofit sector. The course is a multidisciplinary exploration into nonprofit organizations, philanthropy, and volunteerism in society. Nonprofit studies is an emerging field within the academic community, and this course is intended to introduce students to the research literature in the field. The course is divided into four sections. In Section I, we review how history, law, economics, political science, sociology, and organizational theory view the sector. Section II of the course reviews theory and research on the resource environment of nonprofit organizations, including stakeholders and funders. Section III explores contemporary issues facing the nonprofit sector, touching on core topics like governance and addressing issues of equity and advocacy. Section IV looks beyond the American nonprofit sector to consider the voluntary sector at a global scale. While the course focuses largely on the theoretical foundations of the sector, nonprofit management implications will be highlighted as appropriate. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students should have:

  • an understanding of the historical, legal, economic, political, and sociological theoretical perspectives that frame our understanding of the complex roles and functions of nonprofit organizations in American society
  • an understanding of the various topics and issues studied by scholars in the nonprofit studies field
  • identified areas of nonprofit-related research interests, with the ability to identify possible theoretical underpinnings and to extend knowledge 
  • the ability to translate nonprofit studies research into policy and management implications for public leaders or undergraduate and graduate nonprofit students

Overall, the aim of this course is to help you understand the scholarly foundations of the nonprofit studies field so that you can effectively conduct scholarly research and translate the implications of scholarly research to public leaders or nonprofit students.

Requirements and Expectations

This is a seminar class. What is the difference between a course organized as a lecture and one organized as a seminar? A lecture is typically one person (usually a professor) talking, with students taking notes. A seminar involves extensive student participation, with the professor overseeing or guiding the class rather than leading it.

In order to aid in digesting the vast amount of information in the growing field on nonprofit studies, this course is divided into “Sections.”

  1. In Section I, we will review disciplinary perspectives on the nonprofit sector.
  2. In Section II, we will examine various theories and research on the resource environment of nonprofit organizations, including stakeholders and funders.
  3. In Section III, we will review contemporary issues concerning functions and behavior of nonprofit organizations.
  4. In the final part of the course, Section IV, we will look at the nonprofit sector internationally.

Required materials may change. Please consult your instructor's syllabus.

Participation

  • Doctoral: 15%
  • Masters: 20%

Discussion Leader

  • Doctoral: 5%
  • Masters: -

Term Paper Proposal Presentation

  • Doctoral: 5%
  • Masters: 10%

Micro-Teaching/Consulting Demo.

  • Doctoral: 10%
  • Masters: 30%

Final Term Paper

  • Doctoral: 65%
  • Masters: 40%

Assignment instructions may evolve. Please consult your instructor's syllabus. 

Course Schedule

  1. The Rise of Nonprofit Studies
  2. Historical & Legal Perspectives on the Nonprofit Sector
  3. Economic Perspectives on the Nonprofit Sector
  4. Political & Public Administration Perspectives on the Nonprofit Sector
  5. Sociological Perspectives on the Nonprofit Sector
  6. Membership Associations & Volunteering
  7. Donors, Foundations, & Philanthropy
  8. Government Funding
  9. Mission, Governance, & Effectiveness
  10. Proliferation, Collaboration, & Competition
  11. Managerialism & Social Enterprise
  12. Equity & Justice
  13. Civic Participation, Activism, & Advocacy
  14. Comparative Perspectives and International NGOs

Previous Instructors Have Included