Overview
This course is designed to equip students with critical understanding of strategies, techniques and mindsets that can help social movements and other justice-oriented organizations contribute to better policy advocacy in Global Development. This course connects theory with practice through four in-depth modules on policy advocacy in Global Development. Through independent historical and sociological research students will apply core concepts and best practices to develop new understandings about the challenges of designing a public campaign aimed at legal and policy changes toward the goal of global justice advocacy.
Students will also assess where policy advocacy fits within a broader spectrum of transformative societal change.
Note: This course no longer includes project planning. Students interested in project planning are encouraged to take DEVS 210 (Development in Practice)
Topics at a Glance
Module 1 (weeks 1-3): Introduction to Policy Advocacy and Theoretical Frameworks
Module 2 (weeks 4-6): Advocacy Circles and Actors
Module 3 (weeks 7-9): Politics, Power, and Collective Advocacy
Module 4 (weeks 10-12): Bringing It All Together: Strategies and Limitations
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, you will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
Identify the main policy actors and institutions responsible for policy advocacy in a Global Development context
Discuss strategies, techniques, and mindsets that can help social movements and other justice-oriented organizations contribute to better policy advocacy in Global Development
Consider the role of positionality and self-reflexive behaviour in advocacy networks and the role of marginalized communities in advocating change.
Evaluate the potential limitations of policy advocacy in shaping transformative economic justice in Global Development and assess where policy advocacy fits within a broader spectrum of transformative societal change
Situate approaches to contemporary policy advocacy within broader political and historical frameworks
Apply inquiry skills in exploring the existing body of historical and sociological research in policy advocacy and use academic and other genres of writing to develop and communicate new ideas to relevant audiences.
Terms
Evaluation
20% - Discussion Activities (2 x 10%)
60% - Case Studies (2 x 30%)
20% - Take Home Exam
*Evaluation Subject to Change*
Textbook and Materials
All assignment instructions, supplementary exercises, and links to online resources are available on onQ.
Time Commitment
Students can expect to spend, on average, about 10 hours per week completing relevant readings, assignments, and course activities.