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INDS 320
Good Men-Good Citizens:
Philanthropy in Theory and Practice
Dr. Saranna Thornton
sthornton@hsc.edu
Fall 2015
Syllabus
Course Description
Goal # 1 of Hampden-Sydney’s strategic plan is: “To graduate capable, confident men who are committed to
serving with honor and character - Good Men, Good Citizens. Our educational mission uses the liberal arts
to prepare our graduates for lives that connect personal fulfillment, career success, and significant
contributions to the local and wider, even global, community…Help students develop into active
citizens, to include finding ways to serve their chosen communities and the wider world.”
This seminar examines philanthropy as one expression of public service performed by Good Men
and Good Citizens. We examine philanthropy as the giving of money, goods, or time for the
betterment of others. Through the lenses of classics, religion, history and economics students will
learn how our ideas about philanthropy have changed over time and how philanthropy is practiced
today in an effort to improve the living conditions of people locally, nationally, and globally.
Courses in Biology, Classics, Literature, Western Culture, Economics, Fine Arts, History, Religion,
Philosophy, etc. all contribute to forming Good Men and Good Citizens. A complimentary way for
students to learn these important lessons is with a class that explicitly illustrates the linkages between
liberal education and public service.
The objectives of this course are: (1)Macro - for you to gain an understanding of the significance of
philanthropy as a long-standing and cross-cultural human endeavor; and (2) Micro - for you to
contemplate how you could make philanthropy part of your lifetime endeavors.
Class Conduct:
Each of you will be working with non-profit agencies in the local area and may have substantial
contact with professional staff, volunteers and clients. You must conduct yourself professionally at
all times. Be on time; if you say you are going do something – do it; be respectful of other’s
opinions; be a gentleman. Also, don’t text in class.
Course Outline
Introduction – Summer Reading. There are many reasons why people give and why some choose
not to. There are many different causes that attract people’s philanthropic giving. In fact you are
enrolled in one right now! We begin our study of Philanthropy by jumping head first into the deep
end of the pool by reading, The Life You Can Save: How to Do Your Part to End World Poverty,
by Peter Singer. Although Philanthropy envelops giving for a wide variety of purposes, Singer’s
book will allow us to examine one important motivation for giving – ethics. Discussion questions
will be sent to you via email.
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Predictably Irrational, Dan Arielly, Chapter 9
Part I – Philanthropy in the Classics. We begin with a study of the origin of the word
Philanthropy in the classical Greek myth Prometheus, written over 2500 years ago. The word
Philanthropy combines philos (love in the caring sense) with anthropos (humankind) and the message
of the story is that Prometheus loved the potential that humankind would have with his two gifts of
fire and optimism. We will move onto readings by classical writers to learn how the ideal of
Philanthropy became a Greek educational ideal from which the concept of liberal education
developed.
 Prometheus – the myth
 Nicomachean Ethics, Book IV, Aristotle
Part II – Philanthropy in Religion. An examination of the religious roots of philanthropic
behavior in Judaic, Christian, Islamic traditions. Readings from the Bibles (Jewish and Christian),
theologians, and ethicists from these religious traditions will be used to examine how the concept of
Philanthropy has evolved over time and also to illustrate that Philanthropy is part of many religious
traditions.
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Leviticus, Chapter 19
Deuteronomy, Chapter 6
The Jewish Moral Virtues, Eugene Borowitz and Frances Schwartz, pages 120-123
Jewish Literacy, Joseph Telushkin, selected sections
Gospel of Matthew, Chapters 5-7, 19
Mother Teresa Come Be My Light: The Private Writings of the “Saint of Calcutta”, Brian
Lolodiejchuk, pages 72-79.
Living Justice: Catholic Social Teaching in Action, Chapters 5 & 6, Thomas Massaro
Charity in Islam: A Comprehensive Guide to Zakat, Omer Faruk Senturk
Part III – Philanthropy from Colonial Times through the Great Depression. An examination
of trends in U.S. philanthropic practices. These readings will help us put modern philanthropic
practices in historical context.
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The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, pages 106-114, and 120-123, and 125-130.
Benjamin Franklin: An American Life, Walter Isaacson, Chapter 1.
Democracy in America, Alexis De Tocqueville, Volume 2, Part 2, Chapter 5: The Use
Americans Make of Public Associations in Civil Life.
Gospel of Wealth, Andrew Carnegie.
The Rockefeller Hookworm Project.
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Part IV – Modern Philanthropy. We will discuss modern definitions of Philanthropy (e.g., the
voluntary, private giving of time or valuables for the public good) with a focus on American
Philanthropic traditions during the late 20th and 21st centuries.
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The Giving Pledge, http:givingpledge.org,
o Learning By Giving Foundation interview with Doris and Warren Buffet.
http://mooc.learningbygivingfoundation.org/givingwithpurpose/unit?unit=1&lesso
n=12
o Assorted Pledge Letters from signatories to the pledge,
http://givingpledge.org/Content/media/PledgeLetters_4_28_2011.pdf
o Interview with Warren Buffett and Doris Buffet
Bill Gates Commencement Address at Harvard, June 8, 2007.
The Guilt Pledge, Forbes Magazine, Don Watkins and Yaron Brook 9/22/10
The role of social media in modern philanthropy: ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, Giving Day
Part V – The Economics of Philanthropy. Analysis of ”market failure” and the ways in which
philanthropy functions to provide goods or services that are not provided by markets, or which are
under-provided. Consideration of how resources are allocated in the not-for-profit sector (i.e., in
the absence of market signals). Focus on case studies of market failure and the ways philanthropic
organizations have attempted to meet public needs (e.g., homelessness, food insecurity, clean water,
health care, disaster relief, etc.). A study of foundations and the ways tax laws impact their activities.
Also an examination of U.S. tax laws that provide incentives for individual donations of money or
goods, but not time.
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The Simplified Guide to Not-For-Profit Accounting, Formation & Reporting, 1-3, 13 & 14,
Laurence Scot.
Journal of Economic Perspectives, The Market for Charitable Giving, John A. List, Spring
2011.
Part VI – Philanthropy Laboratory. The laboratory component of the course will be conducted
concurrently with the in-class component. Just as science classes include laboratories for students to
practice the application of concepts learned in class – just as studio fine arts classes include theoretic
and performance components – students in INDS 320 will apply what they learn about philanthropy
during the semester in a laboratory component.
Specifically, students will work with the following local nonprofit organizations – FACES (Farmville
Area Community Emergency Services), Habitat for Humanity, Heart of Virginia Free Clinic (medical
care), Madeline’s House (Domestic Violence), 4-H Program, Moton Museum, Heartland Horse
Heroes, and the Virginia Legal Aid Society. Students will research the mission and history of their
nonprofit, its finances, and its strategic plans. They will use this knowledge to develop their skills in
oral and written Rhetoric, writing a grant proposal and making an oral presentation to the INDS 320
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class regarding that proposal. Additional writing assignments may include case statements, business
plans for fundraising events, etc. In the last week of the semester, operating like the board of a
granting foundation, the class will review organizations' grant applications, make funding decisions,
and allocate one or more grants totaling $10,000. The Learning by Giving Foundation, created by
Doris Buffett, generously provides the funding for the grant-making component of the course.
Students will work in pairs establishing their work schedule and work expectations with their nonprofit. This is necessary for many reasons, including the need to establish reasonable and explicit
expectations for what will be the students’ responsibilities during the term. After the nonprofit
partnerships are established one person from the group will report weekly on its progress during our
regular seminar session. You will also submit a 1 page “lab report”, explaining the work you did for
your organization during the prior week and explaining one practical skill (logistics of managing a
fund raising event, motivating volunteer workers, diplomatic skills for dealing with different
stakeholders, etc.) or knowledge set you acquired in your work that week (e.g., level of food
insecurity in Farmville, pervasiveness of domestic violence, gaps in health care coverage for those
not covered by private health insurance or Medicaid, etc.). Additionally, we will have invited
speakers from the HSC Development Office and from Alumni who represent nonprofit
organizations.
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Writing for a Good Cause, Joseph Barbato and Danielle S. Furlich.
Grading
The class will be taught as a seminar with a substantial emphasis on class participation. Graded
assignments include: (1)1000-1200 word paper on sub-topics within each of the first four parts of
the course; (2) written grant proposal; (3) oral grant presentation; and (4) for each student a 15002000 word reflective essay on what he learned from partnering with his nonprofit (5) weekly lab
reports, and (6) class participation. The reflective essay, due on the last day of class should draw
from the readings, class discussions, and visiting experts. It may include insights you gained
regarding the operation of nonprofits and philanthropy and their relationships to local, state, and/or
federal government, as well as to populations served.
10% - Essay on Singer’s arguments for Philanthropy
10% - Essay on Philanthropy in the Classics OR Philanthropy in Religion
10% - Essay on Philanthropy in U.S. History
10% - Essay on Modern Philanthropy
5% - Weekly Lab Reports
10% - Reflective Essay
15% - Grant Proposal
10% - Oral Presentation of Grant Proposal
15% - Class Participation
100%
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Attendance Policy
Number of unexcused absences permitted without penalty = 0.
Excused absences may be granted when you are too sick to attend class or have a family emergency
to contend with. Work missed during an excused absence can be made up, but it is up to you to
find out what you missed and make arrangements to complete the necessary work. I will NOT
track you down to tell you what you missed.
Because we will meet for 3 hours, one night/week excused absences will not be granted for nonemergencies. In order to remain in this class you must be an active participant. You cannot do this
if you are not present in class. Getting the notes from someone who was in class is not equivalent
to being present. It's analogous to going to a sports team practice. If you miss too many practices,
you are cut from the team.
In order for you to obtain an excused absence, you must notify me before class begins!!! If you
are ill or have a family emergency, text me or call my cell phone: 434-547-7484. In the business
world when you are absent, you call at the start of the day, not later. The same standards apply here.
Books to Buy:
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The Life You Can Save, by Peter Singer
Writing for a Good Cause, Joseph Barbato and Danielle S. Furlich.
Charity in Islam: A Comprehensive Guide to Zakat, Omer Faruk Senturk
All other readings will be available on the Blackboard course page.
Contacting Me
Office: Morton 219. Phone: 223-6253. E-mail: sthornton@hsc.edu. Cell: 434-547-7484.
Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday: 1:45-3:00 p.m.; Tuesday & Thursday: 1-2 p.m.; Friday: 2-3:30
p.m.
I am often available outside of office hours. I am also available to meet with you over lunch.
Another way to contact me is e-mail. I check e-mail A LOT. You may also call me or text me, but if you
try to reach me during my family time, don’t expect a quick response.