Interdisciplinary Think Tank - Advocacy

22M1126

Master

German

5.0

only winterterm

1 semester

This is a practice-oriented seminar that is largely developed in collaboration with students. The focus is on advocacy and lobbying in different contexts. In the Think Tank, students learn theories and models of national and international advocacy, taking into account the political framework in Germany and the EU. By experiencing and exploring the issue for themselves, students gain a deeper understanding of its specific dimensions.

Students develop different strategies and solutions for specific political challenges in the third sector in topics of their choice within the general topic of advocacy and lobbying.

1. NPOs in the context of different governance conditions
2. Theories and models of advocacy and lobbying
3. Policy advice, advocacy, and campaigns
4. Own lobbying project

The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").

• Placement Report, written or
• Project Report, oral or
• Project Report, written

Oral project report: approx. 10-30 minutes
Written project report: approx. 10-30 pages
Written project report: approx. 10-30 pages

The requirements are specified in the respective lectures.

Modules 1 and 2 from the specialisation in Fields of Action.

Students are aware of the importance of lobbying and advocacy. They understand the functions of advocacy and policy advice, and are able to analyse existing campaigns. They are able to prepare topics themselves in such a way that the interests of NPOs can be represented. Students work on a lobbying campaign in a project of their choice.

Students work on their own advocacy campaign. This work enables them to deepen their knowledge and to understand how this knowledge can be applied in practice.

Students are able to analyse the prerequisites for NPOs to operate successfully under different framework conditions. They are capable of selecting suitable advocacy tools.

By creating their own campaign, analysing existing campaigns, and assessing success factors, students gain knowledge of how to effectively represent the interests of NPOs, which they can use in their future careers.

The module is innovative in combining theoretical and practical knowledge. Underlying theories and models are further developed by means of practical work, creating new perspectives on the issue of advocacy in NPOs.

Students present their results orally or in writing, demonstrating the explanatory power of the results.

Students are able to take a stand on advocacy and lobbying for their future careers. They are able to deal with the issues of policy advice, and position themselves accordingly.

The module is directly related to Modules 1 and 2 from the specialisation in Fields of Action.

• Management in Nonprofit-Organisations M.A. (01.09.2024)

• Birnkraut, Gesa

• Birnkraut, Gesa