21040 Advocacy and Social Change

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject level: Undergraduate

Handbook description

This subject covers theories as they relate to advocacy and activism and engages students in a project to assist community organisations that have a need for developing advocacy and communication strategies and tactics by developing a tailored advocacy strategy. It locates activists through their shared experience and explores strategies for effective advocacy. To do this the subject covers topics such as community organisations and social and political change (including theories as they relate to civil society and collective action), the theory and practice of strategic communication for community organisations, advocacy strategies and campaigning (including examination of case studies of successful campaigns), the relationship between government funding and capacity to advocate, the relationship between individual and systemic advocacy, and institutional and non-institutional forms of advocacy in the indigenous rights movement.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. devise a strategic approach to advocacy and campaigning in third sector organisational development
2. demonstrate awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of advocacy planning and apply that awareness in the analysis of an organisation’s advocacy plan
3. communicate effectively in person and in writing to a wide variety of stakeholders
4. develop effective communication, advocacy and analytical and intervention and interpersonal skills
5. locate, critically analyse and explain critical issues facing third sector organisations in Australia.

Contribution to course aims and graduate attributes

This subject helps the student develop the knowledge and skills necessary to participate effectively in advocacy and activism activities on behalf of a particular group or organisation. It contributes to the course learning outcomes in terms of providing transferable skills in the areas of communication, analysis and advocacy. It also helps develop a range of interpersonal skills which will support the student in engaging with a variety of stakeholders in the context of community organisations. The assessment tasks in this subject engage the student in practical application of this knowledge and skills and the development of a strategic approach to advocacy.

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject will cover theories as they relate to advocacy and activism and engage students in a project to assist community organisations that have a need of developing advocacy and communication strategies and tactics by developing a tailored advocacy strategy. It will locate activists through their shared experience and explore strategies for effective advocacy. To do this it will cover topics such as:

??? community organisations and social and political change (including theories as they relate to civil society and collective action)

??? the theory and practice of strategic communication for community organisations

??? advocacy strategies and campaigning (including examination of case studies of successful campaigns)

??? the relationship between government funding and capacity to advocate

??? the relationship between individual and systemic advocacy, and

??? institutional and non-institutional forms of advocacy in the indigenous rights movement.

Content

This subject will cover theories as they relate to advocacy and activism and engage students in a project to assist community organisations that have a need of developing advocacy and communication strategies and tactics by developing a tailored advocacy strategy. It will locate activists through their shared experience and explore strategies for effective advocacy. To do this it will cover topics such as:

??? community organisations and social and political change (including theories as they relate to civil society and collective action)

??? the theory and practice of strategic communication for community organisations

??? advocacy strategies and campaigning (including examination of case studies of successful campaigns)

??? the relationship between government funding and capacity to advocate

??? the relationship between individual and systemic advocacy, and

??? institutional and non-institutional forms of advocacy in the indigenous rights movement.

Assessment

Assessment Item 1: Practical Advocacy Task (OR Advocacy Assessment Presentation)

Assessment Item 2: Interview CEO and report/presentation (OR Advocacy Essay)

Minimum requirements

Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject???s total marks.

Required texts

Barraket, Jo. ed. (2008) Strategic issues for the not-for-profit sector UNSW Press, Sydney, N.S.W. University of Melbourne.