Class Descriptions

Community-Based Policy Advocacy

SW756

Credits:	1
Prerequisites:	None

Pathway Associations

Community Change	Elective (Host)
Global
Interpersonal Practice
Mgmt & Leadership
Policy & Political	Elective
Program Evaluation
Older Adults
Children & Families

Course Description

Community-based policy advocacy will be presented as an empowering process that helps to strengthen intra-group and inter-group solidarity as it challenges and attempts to change oppressive structures, systems, and institutions. In contrast to viewing advocacy in the traditional sense -- as a means by which experts represent group interests in legislative, judicial, and executive settings -- this course will explore ways through which traditionally excluded groups advocate for themselves and, in so doing, help build organizations and develop communities.

Objectives

Student will:
1. Describe the relationship between contemporary social and political issues and advocacy strategies and tactics and their relationship to issues of power, privilege, social justice, and resource distribution. (Practice Behavior 5.CO, 5.SPE, (Practice Behaviors 9.CO, 9.SPE)
2. Understand community-based policy advocacy approaches including media advocacy, lobbying, testifying, popular education and building advocacy coalitions. (Practice Behavior 1.CO, 1.SPE, 10.a.CO, 10.a.SPE)
3. Analyze alternative models, strategies, tactics, and modes of advocacy in terms of their suitability to achieve specific policy goals. (Practice Behavior 3.CO, 3.SPE)
4. Apply skills in planning and conducting advocacy campaigns, mobilizing communities in policy advocacy, and evaluating the results of advocacy efforts. (Practice Behaviors 1.CO, 1.SPE, 10.c.CO, 10.c.SPE, 10.d.CO, 10.d.SPE)
5. Identify and analyze ethical dilemmas that arise in the course of policy advocacy work. (Practice Behaviors 1.CO, 1.SPE, 2.CO, 2.SPE)

Intensive Focus on Privilege, Oppression, Diversity and Social Justice (PODS)

This course integrates PODS content and skills with a special emphasis on the identification of theories, practice and/or policies that promote social justice, illuminate injustices and are consistent with scientific and professional knowledge. Through the use of a variety of instructional methods, this course will support students developing a vision of social justice, learn to recognize and reduce mechanisms that support oppression and injustice, work toward social justice processes, apply intersectionality and intercultural frameworks and strengthen critical consciousness, self-knowledge and self-awareness to facilitate PODS learning.