Interdisciplinary Think Tank - Advocacy

Faculty

Faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences

Version

Version 1 of 28.03.2024.

Module identifier

22M1127

Module level

Master

Language of instruction

English

ECTS credit points and grading

5.0

Module frequency

only winterterm

Duration

1 semester

 

 

Brief description

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.

Teaching and learning outcomes

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

Overall workload

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

Teaching and learning methods
Lecturer based learning
Hours of workloadType of teachingMedia implementationConcretization
30SeminarPresence-
Lecturer independent learning
Hours of workloadType of teachingMedia implementationConcretization
25Work in small groups-
30Study of literature-
30Exam preparation-
15Peer-Feedback-
20Preparation/follow-up for course work-
Graded examination
  • Project Report, oral or
  • Project Report, written or
  • Placement Report, written
Exam duration and scope

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.

Recommended prior knowledge

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

Knowledge Broadening

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.

Knowledge deepening

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.

Knowledge Understanding

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

Application and Transfer

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.

Academic Innovation

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.

Communication and Cooperation

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

Academic Self-Conception / Professionalism

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.

Literature

Anheier, Helmut; Toepler, Stefan (2020): The Routledge Companion to Nonprofit Management, Routledge, New York 

Haddad, M. A. (2021). Effective Advocacy?: Lessons from East Asia’s Environmentalists. The MIT Press.
 
Bell, Elizabeth, Fryar, Alisa Hicklin and Johnson, Tyler. "Exploring Public Perceptions of Nonprofit Policy Advocacy" Nonprofit Policy Forum, vol. 12, no. 2, 2021, pp. 311-340. doi.org/10.1515/npf-2019-0052
 
Zhibin, Zhang (2021): No advocacy without representation? Nonprofit representational mix and nonprofit advocacy

Linkage to other modules

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

Applicability in study programs

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

    Person responsible for the module
    • Birnkraut, Gesa
    Teachers
    • Birnkraut, Gesa