Courses, Schedules, and Syllabi

Initial registration for Spring 2025 Opens February 24, 2025. Check the Registration Schedule to see the order of registration eligibility. You can check check DuckWeb for your registration date/time.

View the Spring 2025 PPPM Weekly Schedule

To view course registration details, visit the UO Class Schedule

Choose undergraduate courses based on the Undergraduate Fields of Interest for PPPM Major (PDF).

Jump to Undergraduate Core Courses | Undergraduate Elective Courses | Graduate Courses | PPPM Course Syllabi

Click the CRN for full details of each course.

Undergraduate core Courses – Spring 2025

Registration open February 24th, 2025

PPPM 201 Introduction to Public Policy, 4 credits, graded (CRN 34500 + discussion)
Instructor: B. Clark

Overview of public policy, the policy process and how the daily lives of us and our neighbors are affected by those making and implementing decisions. Students will learn to understand how politics, institutions and everyday people play a role within the process. A focus on meaningful ways to engage in the policy process from city hall to congress, hold policy makers accountable, and support policies that will make positive changes.

[REQUIRED FOR: PPPM MAJOR, PPPM MINOR]

PPPM 205 Introduction to City Planning, 4 credits, graded (CRN 34507 + discussion)
Instructor: R. Binder

Introduction to City Planning introduces students to the field of city planning – a strange academic discipline that synthesizes a diverse set of fields, thinks about how the world should ideally be, then figures out how to move in that direction. Traditional focal areas of planning will be covered including transportation, housing, economic development, environmental issues, social equity, and more. The purpose of the course is to give students a general context of what planning is, the topics it deals with, and to convey how cities are designed and function, that cities are alive and ever changing. Ultimately, the purpose of this course is to inspire students to see that the field of city planning is a mechanism to make the world a better place.

[REQUIRED FOR: PPPM MAJOR, PPPM MINOR]

PPPM 413 Quantitative Methods, 4 credits, graded (CRN lecture 34534 + lab)
Instructor: J. Hicks

A key trend in public administration is evidence-based decision-making, and this course is designed to improve your ability to use empirical evidence to make decisions related to planning, public policy, and management. You will learn the basics of statistical analysis, including which statistical techniques are appropriate to use to answer different research questions. You will use statistical tools available in Microsoft Excel to manage data and conduct statistical analysis. Both Descriptive and Inferential methods of data analysis will be investigated. Additionally, you will learn to interpret empirical findings and write about the results of data analysis in an accessible and clear manner.

*This course assumes no prior background in statistics, and it requires no calculus. Basic algebra will be used to illustrate the intuition behind many of the statistical tests, and there will be only a limited amount of hand calculations required for the class.

[REQUIRED FOR: PPPM MAJOR]

PPPM 494 Practice of Leadership & Change 4 credits, graded, (CRN 34545)
Instructor: K. Sapkota

For advanced PPPM students, this course is an opportunity to apply both the knowledge and experiences you have gained from the program so far, in addition to challenging you to think beyond college. As such, this course will explore leadership across cultures, contexts, and purposes, including organizational (nonprofit, government, and for-profit), community, and political spheres. Answers to leadership questions relate to what we envision leadership to be as well as what leadership we may dismiss depending on our cultural and historical backgrounds and experiences. Students in this class will gain cultural and historical understandings of how leadership is practiced. This includes learning some processes of facilitation skills used for inclusive, rather than exclusive, community involvement. Since leadership has the potential to both inspire and divide, we will turn our analytical lens to focus on the use of language and communication as a tool that can create, divide, or unite.

[REQUIRED FOR: PPPM MAJOR, SENIOR STANDING REQUIRED]

[NONPROFIT MINOR ELECTIVE on a space-available basis after initial registration. NPA minors should email Jessica Matthiesen jessicam@uoregon.edu for more info.]

Undergraduate Elective Courses – Spring 2025

Note: All courses listed below are electives for the PPPM major and PPPM minor. Core courses and electives for the Nonprofit Administration minor are specified.

PPPM 101: Advocacy and Social Change, 4 credits, (CRN 35463 + discussion)
Instructor: D. Mason

Explores how policy change occurs, how people and organizations create social and policy change, and how individuals can make an impact in their communities and beyond. *Note that PPPM majors and minors may apply a maximum of 4 credits numbered below the 300-level to elective requirements.

PPPM 321: Inclusive Urbanism 4 credits, synchronous online , (CRN 34514)
Instructor: A. Huerta

Urban exclusion has manifested in different forms throughout history as the result of prejudice, intolerance, and discrimination. These consequences have had profound effects on the form and function of cities, and, in turn, on the ability of underrepresented segments of the population to reach their full economic and human potential—and in some cases their ability to be valued members of society at all. This course investigates the relationship between social and economic inclusion and the built environment of cities through a range of scales (building, neighborhood, district, city, region) and from multiple disciplinary perspectives (architecture, planning, urban design, nonprofit management, public policy, landscape architecture, and environmental studies). Social equity, environmental justice, and economic opportunity – and the critical perspectives through which these and similar topics are addressed – will enable students to better understand, advocate for, and build communities that are more inclusive, healthy, and just.

PPPM 325 Community Leadership and Change 4 credits, (CRN 34515)
Instructor: B. Choquette

Leadership is not just reserved for people who are in formal leadership positions, be they elected officials or people in upper-level management. We all have opportunities to take leadership roles in our lives, both formally and informally, and we need the skills and abilities to take advantage of those informal opportunities if we want to affect change. Many academic disciplines study the root causes of society’s challenges. In PPPM, we acknowledge those challenges, but focus on action – on making the changes that need to happen to improve our world. This class will focus on increasing your understanding of leadership, on identifying and developing your leadership traits, and increasing your skills to lead and be the change agent you want to be.

[NONPROFIT MINOR ELECTIVE]

PPPM 331 Environmental Management 4 credits, graded (CRN 35470),
Instructor: P. Hunnicutt

Myriad environmental problems threaten human well-being, and effectively managing these problems requires practices that address their root causes and affect meaningful change. This course first introduces students to the broad field of environmental management, with an emphasis on thinking critically about what the point of environmental management is. Then, the course tasks students with engaging in the work of evidence-based environmental management through case studies on air pollution and biodiversity conservation. Environmental managers must synthesize knowledge from multiple academic disciplines to steer decision-making. Accordingly, students in this class will engage with peer-reviewed research from the natural sciences (e.g., ecology), social sciences (e.g., political science), and humanities (e.g., history). However, environmental management is not a purely academic affair; environmental problems affect people! Therefore, students in this class will also engage with investigative journalism to keep the perspectives of “normal” people centered in our learning.

PPPM 340: Climate-Change Policy, 4 credits, (CRN 35471)
Instructor: J. Hicks

This course provides an introduction to climate change policy. It highlights the growing scientific consensus around the effects of climate change and the potential impact that has for policymakers evaluating mitigation and adaptation responses. It examines, by sector, the sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and how international, national, state and local governance influences the rate of global emissions. Because energy consumption is the dominating contributor to GHG emissions in the U.S., it closely examines the patterns of U.S. energy policymaking and implementation as well as institutional challenges and opportunities that will fundamentally reshape the way global society produces and consumes energy. It is organized around historical patterns, current issues, and future prospects. An integrating theme is the role played by science and technology.

PPPM 360: International Public Policy, 4 credits, ONLINE (CRN 34516)
Instructor: P. Lambert

Introduces international dimensions of public policy making by comparing national systems and institutions of governance, public policy making processes, and public policy decisions. Investigates concepts, theories, and approaches to compare public policies in economic, welfare, educational, health, and environmental sectors.

PPPM 370: Global Sustainable Development Policy, 4 credits, graded (CRN35472)
Instructor: S. Bashar

Sustainability seeks to reconcile the economic, social, and environmental problems we face in a world with constrained resources. In this class we discuss the meaning and issues associated with sustainable development and possible policy solutions on an international scale. To have a broader perspective of what sustainability means, we examine problems through an interdisciplinary lens and investigate how these issues form, why they persist, and possible policy solutions.

*This was previously offered as PPPM 407 International Sustainability but has been renamed with a permanent course number.

[NONPROFIT MINOR ELECTIVE]

PPPM 399: Justice and Urban Revitalization, 4 credits, graded, (CRN 34517)
Instructor: G. Sandoval

Students will analyze revitalization initiatives in communities of color from a social, racial and economic justice perspective. Redevelopment is supposed to revitalize low-income neighborhoods and individuals experiencing disinvestment by changing their institutional structures and intervening in their markets, all to encourage financial investment, facilitate physical upgrades to infrastructure and buildings, and improve their overall economic and social conditions.

[NONPROFIT MINOR ELECTIVE]

PPPM 404 Internship and PPPM 404 Internship Nonprofit, 1-12 credits P/NP only (CRN34520/34521)
Instructor: K. Gatlin, *instructor approval required*

This course offers students individualized opportunities to gain hands-on experience in a workplace setting, explore and clarify career interests, apply theory, learn new skills, and network with professionals. Internships integrate academic study with planned, supervised work experience. An academic (credit) internship is optional, but highly recommended for undergraduate students.

*PPPM 412 is a pre-requisite. Instructor approval required. Students must begin preauthorization process with instructor the term prior to the start of the proposed internship.

[PPPM 404 Internship Nonprofit is a NONPROFIT MINOR ELECTIVE]

PPPM 407 Seminar: Spatial Equity in Community Engagement, 4 credits,(CRN 34526)
Instructor: S. Agrawal

Community engagement is an essential process to cultivate equitable design and planning practices. The process of bringing the community into the decision-making process helps planners, designers and architects gain a better understanding of the issues that directly impact communities. But as we face the systemic imbalances of power and access to resources, now more than ever requires a collective investment of reflecting on our role as professionals and outsiders in these communities. In this seminar we will learn about alternative perspectives of the history of inequity in planning and design, and the impacts on the marginalization and exclusion of underrepresented communities. From this foundation, we will gain an understanding of our personal identities and how our role in this work is shaped by those identities to deepen our methodologies of community-based practice. We will learn methods for more inclusive spatial design and learn practices that prioritize relationships and connection with communities that aim to build trust.

This seminar will include research, required readings, visiting lecturers and outdoor field work.

PPPM 407 Seminar: Public Sector Leadership, 2 credits, (CRN 34528),
Instructor: S. Mokrohisky.

This course is a practical look at addressing complex community issues, including understanding organizational and community cultures, political landscapes, stakeholder perspectives and the leadership environment in which a public sector leader must work. We will explore both public and private sector strategies for creating a healthy workplace culture, building cohesive teams, motivating employees and approaches to solving the most challenging issues. The course will include guest speakers with extensive experience and unique insight into public sector leadership.

PPPM 407 Seminar: Critical Disaster Studies, 4 credits, (CRN 34524),
Instructor: A. Russo

This seminar style course introduces students to a different side of disaster and emergency management studies using critical perspectives. Disasters, here, are viewed as social constructs shaped by contests over power. Critical perspectives are meant to understand and respond to mechanisms of power that shape our contemporary approach to planning for and responding to the disasters of our time.

PPPM 407 Seminar: International NGO Management, 4 credits, (CRN 34525),
Instructor: A. Russo

International NGO Management: This seminar style course provides the theoretical and practical implications of international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs). These organizations are crucial in the pursuit of economic development, human rights, climate change mitigation, and the advancement of just and equitable societies. Yet, INGOs are also facing a need to revisit their role within the wider economic and political challenges of our times. We will trace their development, challenges, and triumphs through governance and ethical perspectives.

[NONPROFIT MINOR ELECTIVE]

PPPM 410 Museum Practice, 4 credits, (CRN 34530)
Instructor: L. Abia-Smith

This course explores a variety of methodological approaches to object-based learning in a museum setting. Through class discussions and site visits with presentations by museum educators, students will expand their knowledge of how museums address education for diverse communities through public programs and interpretive materials. Students will have the additional opportunity of observing onsite how interpretive programs are developed. Through direct observation, analytical models, case studies, and writing exercises, this course will introduce students to both the theory and practice of understanding culture and history through artifacts and think critically and creatively about using objects to educate, inspire, and challenge the public, in museum settings and beyond.

[Nonprofit Minor Elective]

PPPM 410 Affordable Housing, 4 credits, (CRN 35773)
Instructor: K. Knudson

Will not only explore the monetary and fiscal policies driving residential production in the U.S., but will also examine the socioeconomic and political barriers preventing certain housing typologies and funding models from advancing. Students in this course will have an opportunity to learn about the impact of land-use/zoning regulation on affordable development, the importance of integrating wrap-around services when housing higher risk populations, and the role of sustainable design practices in ensuring the long-term viability of existing and future housing supply. The course content will be built around examining real-world policies, practices, and projects to ensure that students are walking away with a working knowledge of the subject area and are able to speak to both the current strategies being implemented to overcome the affordable housing crisis as well as areas of potential growth.

PPPM 410 Placemaking Analysis, 4 credits, (CRN 36512)
Instructor: Lopez Andrade, J.

To create livable cities, we must go beyond evaluating and designing spaces and instead create places of social interaction that integrate human beings with their surrounding environment. This course will address both the evaluation and the design of urban spaces by integrating spatial, social, and environmental metrics and exploring the interconnections between them to develop urban proposals that meet the current needs of communities and the environment.

PPPM 412 Internship & Professional Development, 2 credits, P/NP, (CRN 34533)
Instructor: K. Gatlin

Introduction to the department’s internship program and career development. Includes overview of professionalism and effective communication, résumé and cover letter writing, and interviewing and networking skills. The topics covered focus on professional development, so all PPPM students are encouraged to take the class even if they do not plan to pursue an academic internship.

[NONPROFIT MINOR ELECTIVE]
[Pre-requisite for PPPM 404 Internship & PPPM 404 Internship Nonprofit]

PPPM 422: Grant Proposal Writing 1 credit, P/NP, (CRN 34536)
Instructor: B. Choquette

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of grant proposal writing and provides an opportunity to develop a draft proposal for a funded activity. Attendance is mandatory at both sessions to pass.

[REQUIRED FOR: NONPROFIT MINOR]

PPPM 425: Project Management, 4 credits, (CRN 35473)
Instructor: J. Matthiesen

Project management is more than just making a plan and trying to follow it. In this class, students will learn to be more effective project managers who ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and with high quality. Students will learn to manage project teams and be exposed to a variety of techniques to manage the budget, schedule, and quality of projects they are responsible for.

[NONPROFIT MINOR ELECTIVE]

PPPM 426: Strategic Planning Management, 4 credits, (CRN 34537)
Instructor: B. Choquette

This class focuses on the theory and practice of strategic planning in the nonprofit and public sectors. The course will cover various approaches to designing and conducting strategic plans, including specific techniques for conducting environmental scans, SWOT analyses, strategic issue identification, and strategy formulation. Students will work in teams to develop and present a strategic plan for a local organization.

*Instructor approval required. Contact Bob Choquette choquett@uoregon.edu for more info.

[NONPROFIT MINOR ELECTIVE]

PPPM 438: Bicycle Transportation, 4 credits, (CRN 34538)
Instructor: R. Binder

Introduction to the social implications of various transportation-related policies and practices. The purpose of this course is to give students the opportunity to explore the various elements involved in planning and advocating for increased utilization of bicycles as a form of urban transportation. The focus will be on three main areas: 1) bicycle transportation policy and planning; 2) design, safety, and legal issues; and 3) social change. The class will consist of a combination of teaching and learning approaches, including the use of lectures, guest lectures by practitioners, in-class exercises, and out-of-class hands-on assignments.

[This course includes a project through Sustainable City Year Program (SCYP).]

PPPM 443: Natural Resource Policy, 4 credits, (CRN 34539)
Instructor: S. Rosenberg

This course explores the historical and current administrative framework of natural resource policy at the federal, state, and local level in the U.S. We investigate how natural resource policies are developed and implemented and the underlying causes for natural resource conflicts. The course covers a variety of natural resource policies related to forests, parks, water, wildlife, rangelands, and energy resources. Students apply what they have learned through individual assignments and group projects.

PPPM 472: Creative Placemaking, 4 credits, (CRN 34541)
Instructor: E. Redaelli

This course provides an overview of the relationship between the arts and culture to community development. It is based on an exploration of the theories and practices of the NEA policy of creative placemaking as well as early iterations and/or independent forms of “placemaking” and “place-keeping”. The course has a strong emphasis on understanding strategies for community cultural development and the sustained roles that artists and cultural leaders play within community development, especially through a social justice lens. The course will include analysis of case studies across urban and rural communities. Career opportunities will be discovered and explored.

PPPM 480: Nonprofit Management, 4 credits, graded for NPA minors, (CRN 34542)
Instructor: P. Lambert

Nonprofit organizations comprise an enormous “third sector” of society and employ millions of people around the world. This course provides a comprehensive overview of challenges and opportunities that nonprofit leaders face in managing these increasingly complex organizations. After reviewing foundations of nonprofit management in America’s vast nonprofit sector, the course addresses nonprofit organizational structure, nonprofit strategic planning and staffing, and strategic management of a nonprofit’s financial resources. Students also explore prospective careers in the nonprofit sector. [Prerequisite: PPPM 280]

[REQUIRED FOR: NONPROFIT MINOR]

PPPM 481: Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations 4 credits, graded for NPA minors, (CRN 34543)
Instructor: M. Meador

There’s never been a better time to gain a foundational understanding of nonprofit fundraising. Nonprofits are having to go back to the basics, get creative with their outreach, and make a strong case for continued support of their work. In this class, we’ll focus on the practical applications of a wide range of fundraising approaches, including major donor development, direct mail, special events, corporate sponsorships, capital campaigns, planned giving, board engagement and how to pull all of those strategies into a succinct budget and timeline. For seasoned and new fundraisers, this course will prepare you to take on fundraising under any circumstances.

[REQUIRED FOR: NONPROFIT MINOR]

PPPM 486: Philanthropy & Grant Making, 2 credits, (CRN 34544)
Instructor: K. Gatlin

History, economics, and the practice of philanthropy and grant making in the United States. Students study philanthropy from a multidisciplinary perspective and finish the quarter by awarding a grant to a nonprofit organization of their choice.

NONPROFIT MINOR ELECTIVE]

Graduate Courses Spring 2025

Registration open February 24th, 2025

PPPM 507 Seminar: Spatial Equity in Community Engagement, 4 credits (CRN 34550)
Instructor: S. Agrawal

This seminar will include research, required readings, visiting lecturers and outdoor field work.

PPPM 507 Seminar: International NGO Management, 4 credits (CRN 34549)
Instructor: A. Russo

PPPM 507 Seminar: Critical Disaster Studies, 4 credits (CRN 34548)
Instructor: A. Russo

PPPM 507 Seminar: Public Sector Leadership, 2 credits (CRN 34553)
Instructor: S. Mokrohisky

PPPM 510: Museum Practice, 4 credits (CRN 34554)
Instructor: L. Abia-Smith

[Nonprofit Minor Elective]

PPPM 510: Affordable Housing, 4 credits (CRN 35774)
Instructor: K. Knudson

PPPM 510 Placemaking Analysis, 4 credits, (CRN 36517)
Instructor: Lopez Andrade, J.

PPPM 522: Grant Proposal Writing, 1 credit, P/NP only, CRN 34556)
Instructor: R. Choquette

PPPM 525: Project Management, 4 credits (CRN 36075)
Instructor: J. Matthiesen

[NONPROFIT MINOR ELECTIVE]

PPPM 526: Strategic Planning Management, 4 credits, (CRN 34557)
Instructor: B. Choquette

PPPM 538: Bicycle Transportation, 4 credits, (CRN 34558)
Instructor: B. Binder

Introduction to the social implications of bicycle transportation-related policies and practices. The purpose of this course is to give students the opportunity to explore the various elements involved in planning and advocating for increased utilization of bicycles as a form of urban transportation. The focus will be on three main areas: 1) Bicycle transportation policy and planning; 2) design, safety, and legal issues; and 3) social change. The class will consist of a combination of teaching and learning approaches, including the use of lectures, guest lectures by practitioners, in-class exercises, and out-of-class hands-on assignments.

PPPM 543: Natural Resource Policy, 4 credits, (CRN 34599)
Instructor: S. Rosenberg

PPPM 572: Creative Placemaking, 4 credits, (CRN 34561)
Instructor: E. Redaelli

This course provides an overview of the relationship between the arts and culture to community development. It is based on an exploration of the theories and practices of the NEA policy of creative placemaking as well as early iterations and/or independent forms of “cultural development and the sustained roles that artists and cultural leaders play within community placemaking” and “place-keeping”. The course has a strong emphasis on understanding strategies for community development, especially through a social justice lens. The course will include analysis of case studies across urban and rural communities. Career opportunities will be discovered and explored.

PPPM 581: Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations, 4 credits, graded for NPA minors, optional for others,(CRN 34562)
Instructor: M. Meador

PPPM 586 Philanthropy and Grant Making, 2 credits, (CRN 34563)
Instructor: K. Gatlin

PPPM 604: Internship, (CRN 34569); Internship Nonprofit (CRN 34570) 1-10 credits* P/NP only
Instructor: J. Voelker-Morris: Internship Community Srv Ctr, (CRN 34571)

The purpose of this course is to integrate academic study with planned, supervised work experience that supports the career interests of students. Internships offer students opportunities to explore and clarify career goals, apply academic learning, enhance and learn new skills, gain experience, and network with professionals. Internships prepare students for professional positions, fellowships, and further academic study.

*1 credit of PPPM 604 Internship = 3 hours of internship/week during the course of a 10-week term.

PPPM 626: Community Planning Workshop, 5 credits, CRN 34576)
Instructor: A. Drlik-Muehleck/M. Graciosa

Second in two-term sequence of planning and problem-solving courses. Students working in teams conduct research and develop solutions to planning problems for a client community. Sequence with PPPM 625.

PPPM 633: Public Management, 4 credits, (CRN 34577)
Instructor: B. Clark

Theory and practice of public service management; leadership and organizational capacity building, including key management activities for developing effective public service organizations.

PPPM 639:MPA Capstone Applied Research Project II, 4 credits, (CRN 34578)
Instructor: A. Drlik-Muehleck

Teams prepare applied research projects for client organizations using analytical and managerial skills to solve problems in public policy analysis or public management.
[Sequence with PPPM 638. Prereq: PPPM 618, 629, 633, 636, 657, 684.]

PPPM 684: Public & Nonprofit Financial Management, 4 credits, (CRN 34580)
Instructor: L. Leete

This course provides an overview of financial management issues and tools for nonprofit organizations and government agencies. For all managers of organizations and agencies, not just the CFO, understanding the basic concepts of funding streams, budgeting, and financial statement analysis is essential to building and maintaining a strong organization, as well as charting the course for the organization’s future growth and innovation. Topics include understanding basic accounting conventions, ongoing and special project and event budgeting, capital (building) project budgeting, cost and strategic pricing concepts, endowment stewardship, financial reporting and analysis, and internal control. The focus will be on preparing students to be skilled strategists for any nonprofit or government agency.

PPPM 687: Nonprofit Board Governance, 1 credits, CRN 34581)
Instructor: D. Lang

Students serve on governing boards of nonprofit organizations for one year: fall, winter, and spring terms. (Sequence)

PPPM 688:Nonprofit Consultancy, 4 credits, (CRN 34582)
Instructor: A. Drlik-Muehleck

Student teams complete projects for nonprofit organizations, assessing organizational needs and capacity, evaluating alternative strategies, and recommending solutions for organizational success.

[For graduating MNM students and Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management students]