CDAE-251 – Contemporary Policy issues – Organizing for Social Change (91866)
Course Syllabus: Fall 2015
Meeting Time: Wednesday, Lafayette 200, 5-8
Office Hours: 1-3 Mon, Tues, Thurs, Morrill
208 (or after class)
Instructor(s): Dr. Richard Watts, 373-1131
Book
Confronting Power: The Practice of Policy Advocacy. Jeff Unsicker. Kumarian Press (November
2012). ISBN-10: 1565495349
Communication Note: Email & Blackboard will be used for communications. You must check your
UVM email & the BB site regularly. Instructors will post the syllabus, class schedules, selected readings
and lectures to BB. All student assignments are posted to BB.
Course Description: This class is about community organizing – organizing for social change. In this
class we will learn all aspects of how to be active citizens in a democracy. We are particularly focused on
policy advocacy – the processes by which people, NGOs and other organizations, networks and coalitions
seek to attain social and economic justice, environmental sustainability and peace by influencing policies,
policy implementation and the policy-making processes of government, corporations and other powerful
institutions.
This is an upper-level service learning class and we will be working in groups with a project partner.
Students will work during class time and outside of class with project partner.
Learning Objectives
Learn organizing skills and how to participate as active citizens in democracy
Improve student writing skills and critical thinking skills
Learn about public policy
Course Components:
A : Seminars
Lectures by the instructor and limited speakers. Attendance and participation in discussions is mandatory
and will be considered in assigning the final grade. Lectures will generally be posted to BB. Students
should incorporate lecture material into their papers and class discussion.
B : Readings
Additional required readings beyond the book are posted to Blackboard. Students are required to
complete these readings and use them as a source for questions of speakers, for class discussion and in
written materials.
Recommended: Regular news of some kind as the class is about relevant, today, issues and policy.
C: Short Papers- Writing Responses
There will be 12 writing prompts posted. Students must respond to 10 over the course of the semester.
Responses will be posted to BB and be between 350-400 words. The responses should draw from the
readings, class discussions, the academic literature and the student’s own research. Re-writes are not
allowed. Late papers are not allowed. Embedding links and clips is advised. Two sources, minimum.
D. Service Learning group project:
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There will be one semester long project in which students work in groups to conduct research and applied
work related to the class. You will work in small teams for this project. You and your teammates will
work closely with a project partner to design, implement and evaluate a policy advocacy related project
this semester. This is an upper level service learning class. (See BB more details).
E. Final Paper: Individual to student
Each student will write an original, fully-referenced paper related to an issue of their choosing (25003500 words, not including references). Guidelines are posted in BB.
Alternatively, students can submit a video (see guidelines). Note, this will be as much or more work as
writing a paper. (Students can work in teams for the either of the above assignments).
F. Class participation
I’d like to see you actively participate in class discussions, in your group work and through your
assignments. In addition to class and group work, you engage with your fellow students through BB. I’ve
created a place where you can post videos, news clips, other info about organizing, citizenship and policy
advocacy. You can also read and comment on response papers and these clips etc.
In addition, you must attend two events outside of class related to class topics as part of your class
participation grade & write short summaries of the event (see BB).
G: Grading
Prompt paper responses
Participation (inc.outside events)
Class-project
Final Class paper
10 x 4%=
1 x 10%=
1 x 35% =
1 x 15% =
40%
10%
35%
15%
Guidelines for Written Work
All written work should be submitted to BB. Use your own words. Avoid lengthy quotes. And do not cut
and paste from websites! Any consistent referencing style is acceptable.
Late Work
You are expected to turn in all work on-time i.e. the day it is due in class. If you need an extension due to
illness or family emergency, please speak with me personally and well in advance of the due date or class
time. Late work is generally not allowed.
Attendance Policy
You are expected to attend every class session. If unable to attend please contact Richard either by phone
or email in advance of the class and ask permission. Class participation is a portion of your grade.
Unexcused absences can result in full grade reductions (i.e. from an A to B).
Class Protocol
Use of cell phones and text messaging is not allowed. Laptops should be used sparingly and only for
class-related work during class. Students are welcome to get up and move around during class. Using cell
phones during class will result in grade point reductions.
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