Undergraduate Courses
GAFL 135-401 The Politics of Food (fall)
GAFL 139-401 Politics of Poverty and Development (spring)
GAFL 180-001 Budgeting and Financial Management for Governments & Nonprofits (fall)
GAFL 181-001 Case Studies in Financial Management for Nonprofit and Government Organizations (spring)
GAFL 342-001 Leadership, Service, and Non-profit Organizations (spring)
GAFL 421-401 Covering the Middle East: The Challenge of Reporting the World's Most Controversial Beat (spring)
GAFL 490-001 Public Policy Process (fall)
GAFL 560-001 Women Leaders and Emerging Democracies (fall and spring)
GAFL 561-001 Dealing with the Media (fall and spring)
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GAFL 135-401 The Politics of Food
Summers
Fall 2008
Wednesday, 3:30-6:30 pm
CROSS LISTED: PSCI-135-401
From The Jungle to Fast Food Nation, this academically based community service seminar explores the politics that have shaped food production, consumption and problems like food insecurity and obesity in West Philadelphia and around the world. Students will be encouraged to think broadly about how people define their interests, ideas, goals and strategies in some of the many different arenas and institutions that shape the politics of food: kitchens, farms, factories, corporations, advertising strategies, cities, schools, churches, research institutions, social movements, legislatures, government programs. Case studies of leaders who have made a difference in the politics of food will include guest speakers who work on food related issues. The primary focus will be on the American politics and institutions that have shaped - and resisted - the industrialization of food and agriculture; but there will also be opportunities for students to develop international and comparative perspectives on these issues.
Placement options for the community service component of this course include work with a social studies class on "the politics of food" at University City High School and a Food Stamp Enrollment Campaign with the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger. Students may develop other options in consultation with the instructor.
GAFL 139-401 Politics of Poverty and Development
Summers
Spring 2007
Thursday, 3:00-6:00 pm
CROSS LISTED: PSCI-139-401
This academically based community service seminar will explore the ideas and theories, alliances and opposition that have shaped policy and organizing efforts addressed to the problems associated with urban poverty in the United States. Students will evaluate contemporary policy debates and programs in the light of selected historical case studies and their own experience working with community groups, institutions and federal programs in West Philadelphia. A focus on the role of leadership in politics, theory, institutions and organizing efforts will include several guest speakers.
GAFL 180-001 Budgeting and Financial Management for Governments and Nonprofits
DeSeve
Fall 2008
Wednesday, 3:00-6:00 pm
Syllabus
This course will explore the major processes of government and non-profit financial management:
Budgeting- Operating and capital
Revenue Estimation- Tax and non-tax
Cash management and investment- Long and short term
Debt management- Long and short term
Accounting- Income statements and balance sheets
During this exploration, the tools of finance will be used:
Present value
Future value
Net present value
Internal rate of return
Amortization
Yield and price of securities
The student will leave the course with an ability to understand and analyze complex financial transactions including bond issues, development pro forma, and cost benefit models.
The course is part of the new minor on Budgeting, Finance, Leadership, and Teamwork (B-FLAT Minor), now being developed by the College of Arts and Sciences. It will be a core requirement and will count for the minor when it is approved.
GAFL 181-001 Case Studies in Financial Management of Nonprofit and Government Organizations
Spring 2008
Thursday, 1:30-4:30 pm
This course will look in depth at the mission, objectives, financial status and future financing plans of several non-profits and government agencies. The students will develop a template for analyzing both the management and finances of the organization and will learn first hand from senior managers about their problems and plans.
The course is part of the new minor on Budgeting, Finance, Leadership, and Teamwork (B-FLAT Minor), now being developed by the College of Arts and Sciences. It will be a core requirement and will count for the minor when it is approved.
GAFL 342-001 Leadership, Service and Non-profit Organizations
Tierney
Spring 2008
Thursday, 1:30-4:30 pm
What is Community Service? How will I know if my service is effective? Who are the major national non-profit organizations? Is Teach for America my best service option after college? What is the Corporation for National and Community Service? Are faith-based programs part of the community service picture? Can non profits help a city recover from a natural disaster? Do community service programs address pressing health needs such as asthma or obesity prevention? How do non profit organizations handle crisis situations?
This seminar will include case studies, field work and lecture. Topics examined will include: an introduction to the major youth-focused non-profit organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Boys and Girls Clubs, and Girls, Inc.; a brief examination of the importance of program evaluation and how it can strengthen program implementation. We will also examine measures of organizational effectiveness; an in-depth examination of Teach for America and similar programs with a focus on their effectiveness and an examination of the difference between the various programs that place recent college graduates in schools that serve a low-income population; studying the programs that operate under the banner of the Corporation for National and Community Service; are faith-based programs part of the community service puzzle? We'll examine Teen Challenge, a faith-saturated substance abuse treatment program; Amachi, a mentoring program for the children of prisoners that is run by a public-private partnership; and the Social Services provided by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia; case studies of the Nurse Family Partnership, which provides pre-and post-natal care to low income women and their children; and an obesity prevention program; and a case study of how non profit organizations have helped the City of New Orleans recover from Hurricane Katrina.
GAFL 421-401 Covering the Middle East: Covering the Middle East: The Challenge of Reporting the World's Most Controversial Beat
Rubin
Spring 2008
Thursday, 6:00-9:00 pm
CROSS LISTED: COMM-421-401
This course will examine the challenges of covering a dangerous region that is crucial to America's security. It will examine the complexities of the Iraq war, Iran, the Israeli-Palestinian issue, and radical Islam, and how foreign correspondents gather the material that goes into their stories. The course is designed for students who want the tools to evaluate news from the Middle East and to understand what goes into producing that news. Assignments will be designed to help students learn how to dissect tough issues and produce essays that go to the core of difficult problems. Trudy Rubin writes the Worldview column for The Philadelphia Inquirer, travels to Iraq and Iran, and has covered the Middle East for thirty years.
Sample Syllabus
GAFL 490-001 Public Policy Process Theories and Actors
Martinez
Fall 2008
Thursday, 4:30-7:30 pm
CROSS LISTED: PSCI-138-001
Sample Syllabus
This course is an opportunity for students to combine the major theoretical perspectives on the policy process with practical application to current policy issues. Students will gain theoretical tools to explain policy change, a comprehensive understanding of the actors that influence policymaking and politics, and experience writing policy documents. The course is designed to complement an internship in the public policy arena, providing context and background that will enrich the internship experience. The course can be taken either before or after completion of an internship.
GAFL 560-001 Women Leaders and Emerging Democracies
Margolies
Fall 2008 and Spring 2009
Tuesdays, 6:00-9:00 pm
Sample Syllabus
In this course you will explore ways to provide women with practical, 'real world' skills--political and community organizing, communications, fundraising, advocacy and media experience--that will enable them to achieve meaningful political, economic, and civic participation in the life of their countries. Students may also be involved with an international trip with Women's Campaign International. The course is designed to give the theoretical background and tools to put together an insightful international training to politically empower women.
GAFL 561-001 Dealing with the Media
Margolies
Fall 2008 and Spring 2009
Mondays, 6:00-9:00 pm
Sample Syllabus
This course explores the role of the media in politics on the federal, state, and local levels. The process of creating a mass media news story is followed in detail, and practical strategies for using the media to its fullest effect are discussed.