PUAD 3003: Introduction to Nonprofit Organizations
COURSE SYLLABUS
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
E-Mail:
I.
Dr. Pamela Medina
Lawrence Street Center Suite 500MM
303-315-0030
Pamela.MedinaGutierrez@ucdenver.
edu
Term: Fall 2016
Class Meeting: Online
Class Location:
Office Hours: Monday 1:00 – 4:00 PM &
by appointment
University Course Catalog Description
Explores the historical background, development, role, auspices, organization, and purposes of
nonprofit agencies. Expands awareness of the scope and breadth of the nonprofit sector in the
United States, and examines the inner workings of nonprofit organizations as the foundation for
further study.
II.
Course Overview
This course is an introduction to nonprofit organizations, including their history, scope,
evolution, and governance. The course will provide foundational knowledge of the significance
of the nonprofit sector, and the differences between nonprofit and private organizations. The
course will also provide a primer to understanding nonprofit management and decision making
in the nonprofit sector. At the end of the course, students should understand the role and
purpose of the nonprofit sector in American society.
On-line course structure: The course is split into 16 modules, which will open every Monday
9:00am and close every Sunday at 11:59pm. At the beginning of each week, students should
open the corresponding module which will contain instructions and an overview of the learning
objectives for the week, either a recorded lecture (slides or a video) or lecture notes, and a
listing of required readings and assignments due for the week. It is recommended that students
complete all readings and lectures by Wednesday of each week in order to have sufficient time
to complete the required assessment pertaining to that module.
III.
Course Competencies
a. Foundations and management of the nonprofit sector: highlights the history,
contributions, and unique characteristics of the nonprofit sector and its management
b. Governance, leadership, and advocacy: highlights the stewardship and advocacy roles,
responsibilities, and leadership of the board of directors, staff and volunteers, in the
development of policies, procedures, and processes by which nonprofits operate and
are held accountable
INTRODUCTION TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS | Fall 2016
c. Future of the nonprofit sector: highlights the dynamic nature of the nonprofit sector, the
importance of continuous improvement, emerging trends and innovations, and the
critical role research plays in shaping best practices
d. Legal and ethical decision-making: highlights basic laws, regulations and professional
standards that govern nonprofit sector operations, including a basic knowledge of risk
and crisis management, ethics, and decision-making
e. Cultural competency and diversity: highlights the development of cultural competency
preparation for professional practice in culturally diverse settings
IV.
Course Goals and Learning Objectives
Competency
Foundations and
management of the nonprofit
sector
Governance, leadership, and
advocacy
Legal and ethical decisionmaking
Cultural competency and
diversity
Future of the nonprofit sector
Objective
Understands the historical development,
role, and significance of philanthropy,
nonprofits, and civil society
Understands the size, impact, types, and
organizational design structure of
nonprofit organizations from an American
and international perspective
Understands the mission orientation of
nonprofit organizations
Understands the unique characteristics
and management complexity associated
with the nonprofit sector
Understands the roles and responsibilities
of a nonprofit board and its committees
Understands board design, performance,
and ongoing board development
Understands the critical function of
nonprofit organizations in advocacy and
the public policy process
Understands the basic laws and
regulations under which nonprofits
incorporate and operate
Understands and is able to apply
standards and codes of conduct that are
appropriate to nonprofit sector
professionals, volunteers, and other
stakeholders
Understands the role of culture,
alternative views, and difference when
advancing mission and engaging in
nonprofit management practice
Understands the global nature of the
nonprofit sector and structure of
international Non-Governmental
Organizations
Activity
Course Readings
Reading Reflection
Case Study #2
Course Readings
Reading Reflection
Nonprofit Profile
Case Study #1
Course Readings
Reading Reflection
Case Study #2
Course Readings
Reading Reflection
Case Study #1
Course Readings
Reading Reflection
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V.
VI.
Required Texts and Materials
The Nature of the Nonprofit Sector, 3rd Edition. By Steven Ott and Lisa Dicke. (2016). ISBN:
978-0-813-4933-0
Other assigned reading will be linked in the Canvas course.
Assessment
The final grade will be based on completion of the following assignments. With the exception of
participation, ALL assignments are to be submitted both through Canvas, as well as in hard copy.
Title
Due Date
Points
Reading Reflections
9/04; 10/02; 11/06; 11/20
4 @ 5 points each
Case Studies
10/09; 12/04
2 @ 15 points each
Nonprofit Profile
9/18
20 points
Midterm Exam
10/23
15 points
Final Exam
12/14
15 points
VII.
Assessment Descriptions
Reading Reflections: There are four assigned reading reflections which will be posted in the
“Discussions” section of the online course. Each reading reflection will require two
components (1) a response to a prompt reflecting on the readings assigned within the last
few weeks, of approximately two paragraphs in length, and (2) a peer-response to one of
your classmates. Each reflection is worth 5 points- 3 points for your response, and 2 points
for your peer feedback.
Case Studies: There are two assigned case studies for the course. Both case studies will
require students to read and analyze a scenario pertaining to a nonprofit organization.
Students will prepare a 5 page, double-spaced response to the case, based on an assigned
list of questions.
Nonprofit Profile: Students will contact a nonprofit organization of their choice and
interview the nonprofit leadership to understand their mission and governance.
Midterm Exam: The Midterm Exam will cover all content up to October 23rd and will contain
both multiple choice and essay format questions.
Final Exam: The Final Exam will cover all content from October 23rd through December 11th
and will contain both multiple choice and essay format questions.
VIII.
Grade Breakdown
Percent
100-95
94-90
89-87
86-84
83-80
79-77
Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
Percent
76-74
73-71
69-67
66-64
63-63
59 and below
Grade
C
CD+
D
DF
INTRODUCTION TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS | Fall 2016
IX.
Grade Dissemination
All assignments will be submitted and graded through the Canvas system. Every effort will be
made to return grades within a week long timeframe. If grades will be disseminated at a later
date, students will be notified.
X.
Course Policies
a. Attendance
As an online course, students are expected to regularly log onto the Canvas site and review
course updates and announcements.
b. Late Work
Assignments turned in after the due date will incur a loss of 5% deduction for each day they
are turned in late. Assignments will not be accepted if they are more than 3 days late.
c. Grades of “Incomplete”
Incomplete grades are given only in situations where unexpected emergencies prevent a
student from completing the course and in which the remaining work can be completed the
next semester. Your instructor is the final authority on whether you qualify for an
incomplete. Incomplete work must be finished by the end of the subsequent semester or
the “I” will automatically be recorded as an “F” on your transcript.
d. E-Mail
E-mail can be sent to the instructor through the Canvas system or to
[email protected] . All correspondence should be made from a
university e-mail address.
e. Canvas
If you experience difficulties with Canvas, the on-line course platform, first contact the CU
Online Helpdesk at 303-315-3700 or 1-877-823-3644 (toll free), or e-mail them at
[email protected]. If your problem interferes with submitting assignments, email me. I may not respond until later, but an e-mail documenting your difficulties as well as
the attempt to resolve them through the helpdesk should be sent immediately.
f. Laptop/Mobile Device Use:
All cellular phones and mobile devices must be turned off or kept on silent during the
course. The use of laptops is permitted for taking notes, but students are still expected to
remain engaged in class discussion.
g. Civility: During class time we will engage in wide-ranging discussions that may generate
some debate. While you are encouraged to be critical of opposing viewpoints, students
must be respectful of the opinions of others at all times. The instructor reserves the
right to deduct points from class participation or remove disrespectful students from
the classroom.
h. Campus Assessment, Response & Evaluation (CARE)
INTRODUCTION TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS | Fall 2016
i.
Writing Standards: Student papers and examinations should evidence familiarity and
critical appreciation of both required readings, lectures, workshops, case studies, and
class discussion. Written work must reflect independent thought and be well-written
and logically persuasive, in addition to being well-informed. All papers must meet
academic and professional standards for form and substance. Additionally, students
must make sure to proof read all written submissions, and are expected to adhere to
appropriate rules for grammar and spelling. Students who do not meet writing
expectations will be referred to the University Writing Center for assistance.
All assignments are to be written in APA style.
XI.
University Policies
Disability Access
The University of Colorado Denver is committed to providing reasonable
accommodation and access to programs and services to persons with disabilities.
Students with disabilities who want academic accommodations must register with
Disability Resources and Services (DRS) in Norht Classroom 2514, Phone 303-566-3450,
TTY: 303-566-4766, Fax: 303-556-4771. I will be happy to provide approved
accommodations, once you provide me with a copy of DRS’s letter.
Academic Honesty
Student Code of Conduct: Students are expected to know, understand, and comply with
the ethical standards of the university, including rules against plagiarism, cheating,
fabrication and falsification, multiple submissions, misuse of academic materials, and
complicity in academic dishonesty. For suggestions on ways to avoid academic
dishonesty, please see the Academic Honesty Handbook at –
http://www.ucdenver.edu/faculty_staff/faculty/center-for-facultydevelopment/documents/academic_honest.pdf
Plagiarism is the use of another person’s ideas or words without acknowledgement. The
incorporation of another person’s work into yours requires appropriate identification
and acknowledgement. Examples of plagiarism when the source is not noted include:
word-for-word copying of another person’s ideas or words; the “mosaic” (interspersing
your own words here and there while, in essence, copying another’s work); the
paraphrase (the re-writing of another’s work, while still using their basic ideas or
theories); fabrication (inventing or counterfeiting sources); submission of another’s
work as your own; and neglecting quotation marks when including direct quotes, even
on material that is otherwise acknowledged.
Cheating involves the possession, communication, or use of information, materials,
notes, study aids, or other devices and rubrics not specifically authorized by the course
instructor in any academic exercise, or unauthorized communication with any other
person during an academic exercise. Examples of cheating include: copying from
another’s work or receiving unauthorized assistance from another; using a calculator,
computer, or the internet when its use has been precluded; collaborating with another
INTRODUCTION TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS | Fall 2016
or others without the consent of the instructor; submitting another’s work as one’s
own.
Fabrication involves inventing or counterfeiting information- creating results not
properly obtained through study or laboratory experiment. Falsification involves
deliberate alteration or changing of results to suit one’s needs in an experiment or
academic exercise.
Multiple submissions involves submitting academic work in a current course when
academic credit for the work was previously earned in another course, when such
submission is made without the current course instructor’s authorization.
Misuse of academic materials includes: theft/destruction of library or reference
materials or computer programs; theft/destruction of another student’s notes or
materials; unauthorized possession of another student’s notes or materials’
theft/destruction of examinations, papers, or assignments; unauthorized assistance in
locating/using sources of information when forbidden or not authorized by the
instructor; unauthorized possession, disposition, or use of examinations or answer keys;
unauthorized alteration, forgery, fabrication, or falsification of academic records;
unauthorized sale or purchase of examinations, papers, or assignments.
Complicity in academic dishonestly involves knowingly contributing to or cooperating
with another’s act(s) of academic dishonesty.
INTRODUCTION TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS | Fall 2016