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The MAPL Program

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ELECTIVES (3 credits each)

MAPL 5110 - Ethics in Politics: Developing a Shared Ethical Code for Involvement in Minnesota’s Advocacy and Political Life
Students will develop a shared, rudimentary ethical code for participation in Minnesota advocacy and political life. The exercise in developing the code will be informed by reading a few of the major political/ethical theorists, by dialogue with various political/advocacy figures, and by case studies.

Students will engage a small number of the canon of major writers about ethics and will use that background, and input from the teacher and guests, to develop a shared, rudimentary ethical code for Minnesota politics, a code focusing on process ethics (e.g. governing honesty and civility while participating in political life), as opposed to policy ethics (e.g. is the death penalty ethical?) To better inform their thinking, students will use previously developed case studies from other universities, plus case studies developed by the teacher from Minnesota political figures. Overall, it is hoped, students will leave the course and the MAPL program imbued with a sense that there is an ethical code in Minnesota politics and that they have a responsibility to live up to and protect that code. The courses' conceptual outline is:

First four weeks: the fundamental political/ethical theorists and what they believed.
Two weeks: discussions of ethics case studies from other ethics course.
Three weeks: discussions of ethics case studies submitted by Minnesota political people.
Final two weeks: development of a class canon of political ethics.

~check UMD course guide~ [top of page]

MAPL 5111 - Labor Organizing
Historical overview of the evolution of modern labor movement, examine the state of organized labor and labor organizing today, and analyze two emerging models of union leadership – social movement leadership and institutional leadership.

This course begins with a historical overview of the evolution of the modern labor movement — as social movement, as industrial relations model, to the current state of organized labor in transition. Particular attention will be paid to the impact this evolution has had on American social, political and economic life. Students will then examine in depth the state of organized labor and labor organizing today: the importance of labor market share, how global trade and a global economy impact models for organizing new workers, and the opportunities and obstacles to organizing that are both internal and external to labor unions. From this understanding the course will examine two often intertwined but different models of union leadership — social movement leadership and institutional leadership. A key question will be: What are the different aims (and oftentimes tensions) between managing a successful institution and building a social movement, and what type of leadership does each demand? In the last half of the course, students will analyze in-depth three case studies that raise emerging union organizing models and present their own findings. Class will be run as a seminar with active participation of all students.

~check UMD course guide~ [top of page]

MAPL 5112 - Politics of Labor
cancelled

~check UMD course guide~ [top of page]

MAPL 5113 - Labor and Political Economy
Overview of political economy and labor, examine different economic theories, changing economic policies and their impact on workers and labor, and examine specific case studies of political economy: the New Deal/Great Society policies, deindustrialization, monetary policy, globalization, welfare reform and taxation.

This course will be an overview of political economy and labor. The first half of the course will be an overview of the history of economic thought surrounding the rise and expansion of capitalism. Students will become familiar with basic economic terms and concepts and the key competing economic theories, including classical liberalism, Marxism, Keynesianism, structuralism and neo-liberalism. Questions will include: What is the relationship between government and markets (and between capital institutions and labor institutions)? How has American economic policy evolved over the past 100 years and what is its impact on workers? How has the relationship between government, labor, and capital evolved and with what consequences? How do economic policy, organized worker power, and economic inequalities and wealth distribution relate and what is their significance for our society? How has property law and laws governing capital and corporations impacted workers and worker organizations? What is fair taxation and its role in redistributing wealth? What role does race, class and gender play in defining our political economy and what are their impact on workers? The second half of the course will focus on how these economic theories play out in specific case studies. These case studies will include: creating the New Deal/Great Society; deindustrialization; monetary policy; globalization; taxation. Classes will be run as a seminar and students will be expected to actively participate in class discussions.

~check UMD course guide~ [top of page]

MAPL 5115 - Small Community Leadership
cancelled

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MAPL 5116 - Rural Politics and Community Advocacy
Assesses and studies communities which have successfully accomplished rural economic development projects of various kinds.

Students will be assigned a community (different than their own and different than the community whose leadership they wrote about in MAPL 5115). Papers on the communities will include a description of the operative power structure of the community; a description of the last civic improvement attempted by the community; and recommendations on a possible new civic improvement and how it might be successfully implemented.

~check UMD course guide~ [top of page]

MAPL 5117 - Urban Policy and Community Organizing
Focuses on policy issues such as housing, transportation, youth programs, poverty, and economic development, and models and practices for community organizing at the neighborhood level and in urban communities. Students will learn also to do research with local community organizations.

Course Objectives/Outcomes are for the students to acquire historical perspective on the changing face of American neighborhoods, and how change happens at the neighborhood level. Students will partner with a local community-based organization to complete a research project for that organization based upon its policy or organizing needs; develop awareness of the challenges and opportunities that confront urban small communities, i.e. neighborhoods, primarily in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and situate those challenges in broader regional, national and global trends; and develop the ability to utilize the range of information that can be gathered in and about urban neighborhoods through a research project conducted with an urban organization. Also, through on-going discussion and comparison of their neighborhood organizations’ profiles, students will develop an appreciation for the differences between other urban organizations and neighborhoods. This will help identify strategies for developing policies that meet the diverse needs of these neighborhoods.

This course's conceptual Outline is:

Evolution of American neighborhoods

Positioning twenty-first century small communities’ issues in broader national and global context.

Theories and models for organizing small urban communities – past and present.

Research Methods for community change

Case Studies in organizing around policy needs

~check UMD course guide~ [top of page]

MAPL 5119 - Techniques for Nonprofit Advocacy: Nonprofits as Agents of Democracy
Nonprofits are a critical force for change in the lives of individuals, families, and broad social movements. This semester’s class focuses on the composition, power, and positioning of the nonprofit sector and the sector’s relationships to government. While nonprofit organizations provide a means for people to create alternative power structures and advance programs, issues, and social change agendas, they have historically done this work in relationships – positive or oppositional -- to government.

The course will address the nature and role of nonprofits and the sector’s various relationships with government: supplemental, complementary, and adversarial relationships will be examined. There will be a review of the evolution of the nonprofit and government relationships in funding, regulation, and nonprofit advocacy and elections efforts. Dynamic issues in the diverse ways the nonprofits and government relate are in progress in 2007-2008 and will be studied in depth. Some important questions to address include: What types of organizations make up the nonprofit sector? What do nonprofits need from government? When is government funding an inhibitor of nonprofit activism? How do government spending and tax policy affect the nonprofit sector? Why are government and the public holding nonprofits accountable now more than ever? The study of nonprofit and government will focus on the United States and will include an international component.

~check UMD course guide~ [top of page]

MAPL 5200 - Nonprofits and Civic Engagement: Nonprofit Advocacy and Lobbying
Public policy is a critical component of the nonprofit sector’s work. This course focuses on the history, theory, law, and especially the practices of nonprofit advocacy, lobbying, and civic participation. Lectures, class discussions, guest speakers, and experiences will focus on approaches to shaping policy agendas, framing and delivering messages, direct lobbying, grassroots organizing, and media advocacy. The class will follow the work of the 2007 Minnesota Legislative Session and complete an advocacy simulation based on the session dynamics and issues.

Nonprofits of all kinds are seen as essential organizations in the development of public issues and the nurturing of political leadership. They are the primary organizations through which people have a voice at all levels of American government. Students will learn both the theoretical and practical framework surrounding nonprofit advocacy. Special attention is given to the role of nonprofits as resources to elected and appointed policy makers. Various readings, such as a new Fieldstone Alliance book (published Jan. 2007) and Minnesota Politics and Government by Elazar, Gray, and Spano will be assigned. The basic text is: Avner, Marcia, The Lobbying and Advocacy Handbook for Nonprofit Organization. Fieldstone Alliance, St Paul: 2002. www.fieldstonealliance.org\

~check UMD course guide~ [top of page]

MAPL 5202 - Nonprofits and Government: The public and private partnership
This course is designed to give students an in-depth look at the intersection between non-profits and government.

Designed to give students an in-depth look at the intersection between non-profits and government. The course will address the origin, growth and future of the relationship between non-profit organizations and the government sector. In addition, current and historical partnerships will be reviewed. Through readings, case studies, and guest lecturers students will be exposed to the challenges of these partnerships as well as success stories. Students will be exposed to the State and Federal programs related to economic development, housing, and social services. Students will also discuss the devolution of government functions to third parties and private organizations, as well as the associated funding implications.

~check UMD course guide~ [top of page]

MAPL 5301 - Campaigns and Elections
Overview of campaigns and elections, to include both the party nomination process and general elections, at the national, state, and local levels. This course provides a thorough overview of campaigns and elections, to include both the party nomination process and general elections, at the national, state, and local levels. The course emphasizes the broad structural causes of elections (election laws, partisan alignments, demographics) in addition to the strategies of campaign organizations and candidates. Other factors, especially issues dominating elections and the importance of voter turnout, will be assessed for their contribution to final outcomes and to the health of the electoral system overall. Students will have an opportunity to apply the theoretical analysis of campaigns and elections provided in the course through an analysis of two different electoral contests (past or on-going). A key question throughout will be whether reforms (e.g., term limits, campaign finance reform) can serve to improve the electoral process.

~check UMD course guide~ [top of page]

MAPL 5302 - Policy and the Media
Examination of the way policy makers use the media and ways media affects policy. Traditional and new media and media methods regarding current debates framing political issues, media consolidation and role in shaping rather than reporting news are offered.
The course starts with an introduction to traditional media and media methods, but moves quickly on to current debates about framing political issues, media consolidation, and the media's role in shaping rather than reporting news. The course also discusses the rise of new media and its adoption in political and policy realms from the 1950s until today. Students will prepare a traditional media strategy campaign, an analysis of how the media has affected a policy debate, and then analyze new media trends in a particular setting and develop a media strategy for a spe-cific policy issue using new media in that setting.

Develop an understanding of how various media work in relation to policy advocacy

Understand the interconnectedness of media strategies to policy goals

Understand current debates on the future of the media

Be able to prepare basic local media strategy

Be able to analyze a policy issue in relation to media realities

Be able to develop a media/policy strategy that takes advantage of new media as well as analyze trends in new media in specific locations and circumstances.

~check UMD course guide~ [top of page]

MAPL 5303 - Lobbying and Intergovernmental Relations
Explains what and why public policy is being set in Minnesota and Wisconsin, at the statewide, major local and regional levels.

This course seeks to explain what public policy is being set in Minnesota and Wisconsin, at the statewide, major local and regional levels. While ascertaining what is happening the course will also attempt to show why it is happening. Who has been successful at advocating their position? How have they done that? The course will be offered in the Spring Semester every year, since students will be expected to gain some familiarity with procedures and practices in either the Minnesota or Wisconsin Legislatures, both of which meet during that period.

~check UMD course guide~ [top of page]

MAPL 5304 - Public Opinion Formation and Measurement
Explores the question of public opinion in a democracy, examine the public perceptions of U.S. citizens with a focus on Minnesota and Wisconsin residents, and provide an overview of the methods of public opinion gathering and analysis.

This course will explore the question of public opinion in a democracy. While public opinion must be a paramount concern in any legitimate democratic political system, to what extent should politicians follow, and how should they attempt to form, what the majority thinks? The public perceptions of U.S. citizens, and of residents of Minnesota and Wisconsin in particular, will be the primary focus of discussion. As a tool for examining public opinion, this course will provide an overview of the methods of public opinion gathering and analysis. How public opinion shapes and is in turn shaped by the political system will be a central question throughout.

~check UMD course guide~ [top of page]

MAPL 5306 - Gender and Advocacy
Explores the politics of gender and public policy in the U.S. and is designed to provide students with a historical and theoretical background on policy formation, and a set of analytical tools applied to policy case studies.

Objectives include utilizing analytical tools applied to policy case studies, including healthcare, economic security, reproductive health and rights, environment, education and violence. Key questions include: How is political power distributed between women and men, and to what extent do women share equivalent opportunities to participate in policy making? How do law and policy reflect and also enforce the values of a political community? Are there distinctively “women’s issues”? Why, for example, is family policy or policy on children considered a woman’s issue? What resources do feminist notions of democracy, citizenship, and justice offer for reforming the political process of policy making?

Students will use women’s interaction with public policy formation process to analyze the democratic structures of policy making.
Students will analyze public policy issues that are of particular importance to women.
Students will acquire a greater consciousness of how policy reflects and enforces the gendered values of a political community.

~check UMD course guide~ [top of page]

MAPL 5307 - Political and Advocacy Leadership
Helps advocates to strengthen abilities to lead wisely, ethically and effectively in political settings. Provides an interdisciplinary framework to explore the principles of power and leadership, and features effective political leaders from Minnesota and Wisconsin who discuss their principles of leadership.

The student will learn and understand:

What it means to be a leader

Moral Leadership

Leadership and Authority

Courage and Leadership

Group Dynamics and Decision-making

Creativity and Reality

Listening and Communication

Inspiration and Creativity

~check UMD course guide~ [top of page]

MAPL 5308 - The Impact of Art on Social Change
Analysis and understanding of how art works influence public perception, political will, social policy. Topics include environmental protection, labor movement, attitudes toward war, civil rights, and gay and lesbian rights. Art forms examined include drama, literature, film, music, photography, painting.

The student will learn and understand:

The impact of drama, literature, music, and visual arts on social change movements in the United States.
An understanding of the artistic merits specific works read/viewed for class.
Analytical skills: methods for examining reviews, news coverage, interviews, historic accounts and other evidence leading to an assessment of the impact of these works on public opinion and decision makers.
Artists’ intent: distinctions among works created as art and works created for political purposes.

The role of nonprofit organizations, labor unions, and informal groups in the production of art and the use of art to engage audiences.

~check UMD course guide~ [top of page]

MAPL 5309 - Legal System and Public Policy
Prepares advocates to understand the extent to which courts – or more precisely the issues confronting our legal system -- drive policy and social change. Students will develop practical skills to seek legal remedies for their constituencies, and strategies for knowing when to choose the courts instead of the legislative process.

By the end of the semester, students will be able to describe the organization of the American legal system, and the extent to which the courts make public policy. Students will develop the necessary skills to use legal resources in their advocacy work. They will learn to read and understand legal cases, statutes and ordinances, and to apply them to new fact patterns or to an issue at hand. They will develop competence navigating the court system on behalf of their constituencies. Finally, students will develop strategies for utilizing the courts and for knowing when it is wise to spend (often) scarce financial and political resources in the courtroom and the legal process, and when it would be wiser to focus on the legislative process.

~check UMD course guide~ [top of page]

MAPL 5310 - Advocacy in Action: Communication Strategies in Theory and Practice
This course will prepare advocates to speak powerfully and persuasively by understanding the processes of analyzing communication strategies, constructing issue-, context- and culture-specific messages, and delivering those messages as effectively as possible. The course will feature current advocacy and political leaders from Minnesota and Wisconsin and examine their particular speaking strategies. Further, the course will give students practical experience in short speech giving, extemporaneous speaking, reacting in impromptu fashion to evolving circumstances, constructing a strategic communication campaign plan, negotiation and bargaining, engaging in debate, and persuading on an interpersonal/intercultural communication level.

~check UMD course guide~ [top of page]

MAPL 5395 - Special Topics: (Various Titles to be Assigned)
Summer 2008: Organinzing and Advocacy in the Digital Age. This online course will focus on digital technologies for advocacy and organizing and the challenges for democracy in a digital age. Students will consider the opportunities and risks of social media for connected activism and public-policy making. They will explore issues relating to digital justice such as broadband and wireless access across communities and regulatory and policy issues affecting digital networks. Students will use the software and applications that exist to help find the data and research needed to build communities, plan for community needs, organize effectively, and make informed policy.

~check UMD course guide~ [top of page]

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