POL 334 The Practice and Politics of Philanthropy

3.0 Credit(s) PGR

Philanthropy has become a major driver of social, economic, and political change, both in the United States and globally. Giving away money, a seemingly simple activity, is hard to do effectively. This course explores the rewards and challenges of philanthropy. It empowers students to enact positive change in their community by giving them the tools to evaluate nonprofits and their programs. Students also practice transferable skills through a variety of classroom activities, including a grantmaking practicum. Finally, the course invites students to debate the role of philanthropy in democratic societies, and the extent to which it contributes to, or reduces, inequalities. Three lecture hours per week.