OEL 655: Role of Nonprofit in Fostering Social Change (Graduate Level)

Course Description

This course focuses on the impact of nonprofit organization in fostering social change and the roles of the director and board in bringing about social change. The course will challenge students to consider the shift from a program centric model to a mission centric approach that is focused on social impact, outcomes, and measures of success. Students will also gain an understanding of the roles and influences (positive and negative) of philanthropy on political advocacy and social change movements in the U.S.; the scope and diversity of the philanthropic sector; political advocacy approaches and social movements; and examples of current philanthropic involvement in advocacy and social change efforts across the political spectrum. It will examine nonprofit organizations that have succeeded and those that have failed in implementing social change. (3 credits)

Prerequisite

  • OEL 501: Learning Community

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Describe various theories, concepts and models associated with organizational change processes to apply to an organizational dilemma.
  2. Evaluate the importance of organizational change and illustrate the role that learning plays in an organizational change process.
  3. Explain the effects of philanthropy on social movements and political change.
  4. Compare the program centric model to the mission centric model, including advantages and disadvantages as it relates to fostering social change.
  5. Formulate a solid assessment of a nonprofit's capacity to engage in advocacy and social change.
  6. Explain how to engage key constituencies including staff, board and volunteers in bringing about change.
  7. Explain the intersection of philanthropy with policy, business, law and society.
  8. Develop a strategic plan for a nonprofit that will foster social change, including outcomes assessment.
  9. Demonstrate use of metrics in performance and program evaluation.

     

Applicable Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

  • PLO 4. Recommend how one develops effective groups.
  • PLO 5. Construct organizational leadership strategies.
  • PLO 7. Design and implement organizational change processes.
  • PLO 11. Formulate change strategies that supports a continual changing landscape for nonprofit organizations.
  • PLO 13. Conduct research utilizing online sources and databases and write research papers that analyze and synthesize information and data gathered.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions (Weeks 1-8)

20%

Case Studies (Weeks 1, 2, 5 & 6)

40%

Application Paper (Week 4)

20%

Final Presentation (Week 8)

20%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

  • Korgen, K. D., & Atkinson, M. P. Social Problems: Sociology in Action. Sage Publications, 2024. ISBN-13: 9781071862339

Course Schedule

Week

PLOs

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

4,5,13

3-6

Topic: An Introduction to Social Change

Readings:

  • Chapter 1 and 2
 
  • Review Course Policies
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the discussion
  • Submit Case Study 1

2

4,5,7,11,13

3-6,8

Topic: Inequalities as Social Problems

Readings:

  • Chapters 3 and 4
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the discussion
  • Submit Case Study 2

3

4,5,7,11,13

1-3, 5-7

Topic: Exploration of Social Inequalities

Readings:

  • Chapters 5 and 6
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the discussions

4

4,5,7,11,13

1-4, 6-9

Topic: Social Change in Action

Readings:

  • Chapters 7 and 8
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the discussion
  • Submit Application Paper

5

4,5,7,11,13

1-9

Topic: Global Population Problems

Readings:

  • Chapters 9 and 10
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the discussion
  • Submit Case Study 3

6

4,5,7,11,13

1-9

Topic: Global and Institutional Problems

Readings:

  • Chapters 11 and 12
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the discussion
  • Submit Case Study 4

7

4,5,7,11,13

1-9

Topic: Institutional Problems

Readings:

  • Chapters 13 and 14
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the discussions

8

4,5,7,11,13

1-9

Topic: Integration of Major Concepts and Conclusions

Reading:

  • Chapter 15
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the discussion
  • Submit Final Presentation
  • Complete Course Evaluation

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.