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410.678.60
Theory and Practice in Campaigning and Organizing for Public Health II

Course Status
Cancelled

Location
East Baltimore
Term
4th Term
Department
Health, Behavior and Society
Credit(s)
4
Academic Year
2021 - 2022
Instruction Method
Hybrid In-person and Asynchronous Online
Class Time(s)
Thursday, 4:30 - 5:20pm
Auditors Allowed
No
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Description
One of the most effective ways to change behavior and improve population health is by changing the policies and structures that set the contexts in which people make their decisions about health. Readings, online lectures, in-class discussions and a required practicum explore how organizations get this done, including techniques and philosophies of organizing, the practical realities of campaigns, how to develop a campaign plan, how theories of organizing relate to what happens in the “real world," what role leadership plays in campaigns, and how online organizing fits in with the building of vehicles for long-term change.
Provides a practical introduction to campaigning and organizing for public health. Combines experiential learning (through participation in an actual campaign) with traditional learning (online lectures, in-class discussions and readings). Uses case studies to review the history of organizing for public health. Introduces campaign planning and management, discusses the role of research and coalition-building, and explores different types of organizing. Part of a two-term sequence that prepares students to participate in and critically assess public health campaigns to change the policies and structures that set the contexts in which people make their decisions about health.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Describe the role and history of campaigning and organizing in public health
  2. Identify the purpose and methods of campaign planning and execution
  3. Describe the role and types of research in public health campaigning and organizing
  4. Describe campaigning and organizing principles as they apply to real world situations
  5. Explain the restrictions on lobbying for recipients of federal and state funding
  6. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of coalition-building as a strategy for engaging partners
  7. Critically analyze grassroots and grasstops approaches to organizing
  8. Evaluate a specific approach to a campaign and/or organizing strategy to address a real-world public health problem
Special Comments

This course blends traditional classroom time with outside-of-class time with a corresponding reduction in class sessions. This class will meet once a week. Students are expected to participate in a 6-hour per week practicum in addition to other course work (online lectures, readings, and assignments). Students may not enroll in both 410.672.81 Introduction to Campaigning & Organizing for Public Health and this course.