POLS 326:
SPRING 2009
DuSable Hall 246
Professor: Fred Mayhew
Class Times: Tuesday & Thursday, 9:30-10:45 AM
Office Hours: Tuesday 11:00-12:00, Thursday 11:00-12:00, and by appointment
Office: 203 IASBO Building
Email: fmayhew@niu.edu
Office Phone: (815) 753-6147
Course Description
The general purpose
of this course is to introduce students to the concept of social welfare policy
and how it is carried out in the United States.
Specifically this course is designed provide an overview of the
nonprofit sector and its role in social welfare policy. The nonprofit sector is an important and
often overlooked player in the policy process.
From delivering services to influencing public policy decision-making, nonprofit
organizations play a vital and sometimes controversial role.
Course Objectives
By the end of the
semester students should have a basic understanding of:
Course Readings
Readings will be available on Blackboard
Grading
Course Requirements
Exam I 15%
Exam II 15%
2 essays 20%
Short paper 15%
Final Exam 25%
Participation 10%
Exams:
There will be three during the semester (two
shorter exams and a final). Exam I will
focus on the first portion of the course and will cover the topics of social
welfare, governance and the size and scope of the nonprofit sector. Exam II will cover the nonprofit subsectors
and their role in governance and social welfare policy. Exam II will include only those topics
covered after Exam I, meaning it will not be cumulative. The final exam will be cumulative, but will
have a strong focus on the topics covered following Exam II. All exams will include multiple choice and
short answer questions.
Essays:
You will be required to write two short essays
for the course. The essays will be due
on the day before the Exams I and II and should serve as good starting points
for your test preparation. Essays will
be a minimum of 3 pages and a maximum of 5 pages, double spaced. The essays will briefly summarize what has
been covered in the appropriate section of the course and how these topics
relate to and affect social welfare policy.
You will also reflect on the material - indicating what was of interest
to you, what surprised you, etc. Essay
requirements will be discussed in class and more information will be available
on blackboard.
Short Paper:
You will be required to write a short (minimum
of 5 pages) research paper that will be due on April 23. To complete this assignment you will choose
one of the topics covered in class (governance, strategic management, advocacy,
etc.). You will conduct research on the
topic; at least three sources outside of those assigned for class, and
investigate how this topic relates to social welfare policy in the United
States. More information on the paper
will be distributed in class.
Attendance and Participation:
It is expected that students will
attend all class sessions. However, it is understood that life sometimes
intervenes, in which case I request that you notify me of the reason for your
absence (beforehand if possible).
Participation accounts for 10% of your final grade – participation is not attained through your mere presence.
Academic Dishonesty:
Regarding
plagiarism, the NIU Undergraduate Catalog states: "Students are guilty of
plagiarism, intentional or not, if they copy material from books, magazines, or
other sources without identifying and acknowledging them. Students guilty of or
assisting others in, either cheating or plagiarism on an assignment, quiz, or
examination may receive a grade of F for the course involved and may be
suspended or dismissed from the university." The above statement
encompasses a paper written in whole or in part by another; a paper copied
word-for-word or with only minor changes from another source; a paper copied in
part from one or more sources without proper identification and acknowledgment
of the sources; a paper that is merely a paraphrase of one or more sources,
using ideas and/or logic without credit even though the actual words may be
changed; and a paper that quotes, summarizes or paraphrases, or cuts and pastes
words, phrases, or images from an Internet source without identification and
the address of the web site.
Students with Disabilities:
Under
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, NIU is committed to making
reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Those
students with disabilities that may have an impact on their course work must
register with the Center for Access-Ability Resources (CAAR) on the fourth
floor of the Health Services Building (753-1303). CAAR will assist students in
making appropriate instructional and/or examination accommodations with course
instructors. It is important that CAAR and instructors be informed of any
disability-related needs during the first two weeks of the semester.
Department of Political Science Web Site:
Undergraduates
are strongly encouraged to consult the Department of Political Science web site
on a regular basis. This up-to-date,
central source of information will assist students in contacting faculty and
staff, reviewing course requirements and syllabi, exploring graduate study,
research career options, tracking department events, and accessing important
details related to undergraduate programs and activities. To reach the site, go to http://polisci.niu.edu
Undergraduate Writing Awards:
The
Department of Political Science will recognize, on an annual basis, outstanding
undergraduate papers written in conjunction with 300-400 level political
science courses or directed studies.
Authors do not have to be political science majors or have a particular
class standing. Winners are expected to
attend the Department’s spring graduation ceremony, where they will receive a
certificate and $50.00. Papers, which
can be submitted by students or faculty, must be supplied in triplicate to a
department secretary by the end of March.
All copies should have two cover pages – one with the student’s name and
one without the student’s name. Only
papers written in the previous calendar year can be considered for the
award. However, papers completed in the
current spring semester are eligible for the following year’s competition even
if the student has graduated.
Class Schedule
(Class schedule is subject to change)
*All
readings are available on Blackboard unless otherwise indicated
January 13: Introduction
Review syllabus, course objectives and expectations
January 15: Social Welfare
READING:
DiNitto, “Politics and Social
Welfare Policy” p.1-13 in Social Welfare: Politics and Public Policy
January 20: Tackling the Concept of Governance
READING:
Rhodes, “The New Governance: Governing without Government” p.652-657
January 22: The Mixed Economy of Social Welfare
READING:
Lipsky & Smith, “Nonprofit Organizations, Government, and the Welfare State” p.625-648
January 27: For Profit Involvement in Social Services
READING:
Ryan, “The New Landscape for Nonprofits” p. 127-136
January 29: Defining the Nonprofit Sector
READING:
Grobman,
“Defining and Describing the Nonprofit Sector” p. 13-29
February 3: Size &
Scope of the Nonprofit Sector
READING:
The Nonprofit Sector in Brief, “Facts and Figures from the Nonprofit Almanac 2008”
February 5: History of the Nonprofit Sector
READING:
Hall, “Historical Perspectives on Nonprofit Organizations in the United States” p.3-38
February 10: Economic
Theories
READING:
“Economic and Political Theories” p.179-196
February 12: Noneconomic Theories
READING:
Lohmann, “The Commons, a multidisciplinary approach” p.309-324
ESSAY
I due in class today
February 17: EXAM 1: Social Welfare, Governance, and the Nonprofit Sector
February 19: Nonprofits
role(s) in Welfare
READING:
“Government, Politics, and Law” p.49-62 in The Jossey-Bass
Handbook of Nonprofit Management and Leadership
February 24: Social Services
READING:
Salamon, “Social Services” p.109-123
February 26: Arts, Culture,
and Recreation
READING:
Salamon, “Arts, Culture, and Recreation” p.123-135
March 3: Health Care
READING:
Frank & Salkever, “Nonprofit Organizations in the Health Sector” p.129-144
March 5: Education
READING:
Salamon, “Education” p.95-109
March 10: NO CLASS: SPRING
BREAK
March 12: NO CLASS: SPRING
BREAK
March 17: Advocacy
READING:
Boris & Mosher-Williams, “Nonprofit Advocacy Organizations” p.488-506
March 19: Religious
Organizations
READING:
·
Smith
& Sosin, “The Varieties of Faith-Related
Agencies” p.651-666
·
Oliphant,
“Charitable Choice, The End of Churches as we know them?” p.8-11
ESSAY II due in class today
March 24: EXAM II: Nonprofit
Subsectors and their role in governance
March 26: Boards
READING:
Axelrod, “Board Leadership and Development”
p.131-151
March 31: Mission &
Vision
READING:
Grobman, “Mission and Vision Statements” p.105-112
April 2: Strategic Management
READING:
Werther & Berman, “The Strategic View” p.28-49
April 7: Accountability
READING:
·
Ebrahim,
“Accountability Myopia” p.56-87
·
Campbell, “Outcomes Assessment and the Paradox
of Nonprofit Accountability” p.243-259
April 9: Evaluation
READING:
Mark, Henry,
& Julnes, “Introducing a Framework for
Evaluation” p. 3-18
April 14: Personnel &
Diversity
READING:
· Polk, “Diversity in a National Nonprofit Organization: Strategy for Success” available at http://www.redcross.org/news/other/diversity/010316polk.html
· Letts, Ryan, & Grossman, “Human Resources: Developing Employees to Advance Organizational Goals” p.107-128
April 16: Ethics
READING:
Grobman, “Ethics”
p.113-132
April 21: Fundraising
READING:
Thornton, “Nonprofit Fundraising in
Competitive Donor Markets” p.204-224
April 23: Communications
& Public Relations
READING:
Grobman, “Communications and Public Relations” p.209-221
Research Paper due today
April 28: Social
Entrepreneurship
READING:
· Wallace, “Social Enterprise” From Chronicle of Philanthropy.
·
Dees “Enterprising Nonprofits.” P. 55–67
April 30: Summation &
review for final
FINAL EXAM
May 7: 10-11:50
AM