PRT 5495 Government & Nonprofits

Spring 2018
Tues and Thurs, 12:25 pm - 1:45 pm, AEB 310
3 Credit Hours

Instructor: Troy Bennett

Contact information: 801-597-6179, troy.bennett@utah.edu, or via Canvas mail

Office Hours/Location: meetings are scheduled by appointment and are held in the
Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department main office: Annex C, Room 1085.

Prerequisites:
No, however PRT 5395 Financial Management in PRT is strongly recommended.

Required Materials:
There are no “required” texts for the class, as assigned readings will be provided
on Canvas and through the Marriott Library Course Reserve. Readings will
include selected chapters from the following e-books:

• Renz, D. O., & Herman, R. D. (Eds.). (2016). The Jossey-Bass handbook of

nonprofit leadership and management (3rd ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

• Crutchfield, L. & McLeod Grant, H. (2012) Forces for good: The six practices
of high-impact nonprofits. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

• Pakroo, P. (2017). Starting & building a nonprofit: A practical guide (3rd ed.).
Berkeley, CA: Nolo.

Course Description:
This course is designed to introduce you to the governmental and nonprofit
sectors and provide you with the foundation knowledge you need to understand
their role and purpose of in contemporary American society and more specifically
in the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism profession. Students will learn what
distinguishes the government and nonprofit sectors from commercial businesses,
with particular attention given to mission, organizational structure, funding, and
culture.

Student Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Describe the purpose of government and nonprofits, their uniqueness; and what
makes them both similar and different from the commercial business sector.
 2. Create a historical, theoretical, financial and legal understanding of the
government and nonprofit sectors; in addition to learning about issues, ethics and
trends in the industry.

3. Explain how to become more effective managers through exploring various

management techniques and leaderships skills that can enhance effectiveness
and productivity.

4. Apply knowledge as to the importance of a mission, vision and values as they

pertain to the management, inner-workings and functions of successful
organizations.

5. Identify who the key stakeholders are within government and nonprofit
organizations.

6. Develop a mock grant application using the information you have learned over
the course of the semester.

Teaching and Learning Methods:

This course will be taught through lecture, discussions, exploring case studies,
experiential learning, and problem-based learning.

Student Learning Outcomes will be aligned with each assignment and show up at the
bottom of grading rubrics. Numerical indicators associated with learning outcomes will
not count toward your final grade, but will be used to track progress throughout the
course and to provide feedback to students.

My Expectations: I expect you to engage with the material, to ask questions, and to
participate. I expect you to complete assignments on time, and as you would in the work
place, i.e. – you should want to impress me as if you were trying to get a raise or a
promotion. I expect your honesty and your respect - both for myself and for your
classmates. I have high expectations for you, but I am also here to help. Never be shy
about asking questions, or coming to me if you are having difficulties.

Canvas Expectations: This course will actively use Canvas to communicate with
students including class announcements, course readings, and helpful review material.
Students are responsible for ensuring that their Canvas settings are up to date and that
they are receiving all material from Canvas.

Course Policies:
• You may complete your assignments early and send them to me for feedback
about your performance in time to make any changes.
• Assignments will be turned in via Canvas.
 • Many class activities will require the use of a computer or similar device. Please
make arrangements to bring a computer or similar device to class each day.
• I do not give extra credit, but I am happy to provide extra assistance. Please do
not hesitate to contact me with questions or issues.
• I am happy to accept assignments that have been revised to address feedback I
have provided through grading. Revised assignments may be eligible for
additional points if appropriate. Final projects are not eligible for revisions.

Late Policy:
Assignments are due by 11:59 pm (unless completed in class) on the day that they are
due (unless otherwise indicated). Assignments that are submitted after the due date and
time are considered late. Late assignments are penalized 10% per day, up to a
maximum of 7 days. Assignments turned in beyond this will not be awarded points.

Assignments:
Reading Quizzes: The purpose of reading assignments is to assist you in
understanding the material, and to allow us to use class time in the most productive
manner. As such, doing and thinking through the readings is important not only to your
personal learning, but it is also an important commitment to our classroom community.
To assist you in processing your reading, most reading assignments will be
accompanied by a brief quiz/assignment distributed at the beginning of selected class
periods.

Discussions: Each module will include a discussion topic. Discussions are submitted
via Canvas and consist of two parts: Part 1: Post your initial discussion. Part 2:
Provide comments on the discussion posts of at least two other students.

Application Exercises: Throughout the semester, I will provide you with a series of six
opportunities to apply the information we discuss in class to the completion of your final
grant application project. It is my intent that the application exercises will help you to
complete the different elements of your final grant application and class presentation.

Case Analyses: You will complete three (3) analyses of case studies provided in class.
Case studies will address different topics and provide you an opportunity to examine
real world examples from Parks, Recreation, and Tourism.

Class Presentations: You will have the opportunity to deliver a 15-minute presentation
to the class describing your PRT related non-profit organization or government agency.
Detail the funding opportunity and grant application you have been working throughout
the semester. Class members will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide
feedback for your final grant application. Details will be provided in class.

Final Grant Application Project: You will have the opportunity to complete and submit a
professional written grant application. Specifics will be provided in class.
 Grading Criteria:
1,500 Total Points Possible:
• Reading Quizzes: 10 points each x 15 quizzes = 150 total points
• Discussions: 25 points each x 10 discussions = 250 total points
• Application Exercises: 50 points each x 6 assignments = 300 total points
• Case Analyses: 50 points each x 3 assignments = 150 total points
• Class Presentations: 250 total points
• Final Grant Application Project: 400 total points

Grading Scale:
A 930 to 1,000 pts B 830 to 869 C 730 to 769 D 630 to 699
A- 900 to 929 B- 800 to 829 C- 700 to 729 D- 600 to 629
B+ 870 to 899 C+ 770 to 829 D+ 670 to 699 E 599 and below

Course Schedule:
Note: Our schedule is subject to revision based on the needs of our class; any
updates will be made available for students through Canvas.

Module Dates Topic Reading Assignment Due

1 1/08-1/14 Course Overview Course Syllabus Initial Welcome
and Introductions discussion post – due by
1/12

Course Orientation
Assignment – 1/12

Canvas Overview Tutorial
Tasks – 1/12


2 1/15-1/21 The Role of TBA Initial Module 2
Government and Discussion post – 1/19
Nonprofits in
Parks, Recreation, Module 2 quiz –1/19
and Tourism
Application #1:
Statement of Need – 1/28

Comments on Welcome
discussion posts of peers
– 1/17


3 1/22-1/28 Leadership and TBA Initial Module 3
Governance in the discussion post - 1/26
Government and
Nonprofit Sectors Module 3 quiz – 1/26

Comments on Module 2
discussion post – 1/24


4 1/29-2/4 Mission, Vision, TBA Application #2:
Values, and Organization Description
Strategic Planning –due 2/11

Initial Module 4
discussion post – 2/2

Module 4 quiz – 2/2

Comments on Module 3
discussion due – 1/31


5 2/5 – 2/11 Marketing and TBA Case Analysis #1: Project
Communicating the Description due – 2/18
Message
Initial Module 5
discussion post – 2/9

Module 5 quiz – 2/9

Module 4 discussion
comments due – 2/7


6 2/12-2/18 Legal Matters and TBA Application #3:
Policy Organizational Structure
due 3/4

Mod 6 discussion initial
post – 2/16

Module 6 quiz – 2/16

Mod 5 comments - 2/14


2/19-2/25 No class this week Instructor at conference



7 2/26-3/4 Accountability, TBA Case Analysis #2 – 3/11
Evaluation, and
Performance Mod 7 quiz – 3/2
Measures
Mod 6 discussion
comments – 2/28

Mid-Course Anonymous
Eval Survey – 3/4



8 3/5-3/11 Budgeting and TBA Application #4 – 3/17
Financial Planning
Mod 8 discussion initial
post – 3/9

Module 8 quiz – 3/9

Mod 7 discussion
comments – 3/7


9 3/12-3/17 Funding for TBA Application #5: Project
Government and Budget –4/1
Nonprofits
Mod 9 discussion initial
post – 3/13

Module 9 quiz – 3/16

Mod 8 discussion
comments – 3/14



3/18-3/25 Spring Break



10 3/26-4/1 Human Resource TBA Case Analysis #3:
Management Evaluation Plan – 4/8

Mod 10 discussion initial
post – 3/30

Module 10 quiz – 3/30

Module 9 discussion
comments – 3/28


11 4/2-4/8 Ethical TBA Application #6: Project
Management of Staffing Plan – 4/15
Staff and
Volunteers Module 11 quiz- 4/6

Mod 10 discussion post
comments – 4/4


12 4/9-4/15 Public/Private TBA Class Presentations – as
Partnerships scheduled

Module 12 quiz – 4/13


13 4/16-4/22 The Future of TBA Class Presentations – as
Government and scheduled
Nonprofits in PRT
Module 13 quiz – 4/20

Presentation Peer
Feedback – 4/22


14 4/23-5/2 Final Project Due Final Grant Application
Project due – 5/02

Mod14 quiz: Anonymous
course eval – 4/25

Other information:

1. The Americans with Disabilities Act. The University of Utah seeks to provide
equal access to its programs, services, and activities for people with disabilities. If
you will need accommodations in this class, reasonable prior notice needs to be
given to the Center for Disability Services (CDS; http://disability.utah.edu/; 162 Olpin
Union Building; (801)-581-5020). CDS will work with you and the instructor to make
arrangements for accommodations. All written information in this course can be
made available in an alternative format with prior notification to the CDS.

2. Addressing Sexual Misconduct. Title IX makes it clear that violence and

harassment based on sex and gender (which includes sexual orientation and gender
identity/expression) is a Civil Rights offense subject to the same kinds of
accountability and the same kinds of support applied to offenses against other
protected categories such as race, national origin, color, religion, age, status as a
person with a disability, veteran’s status or genetic information. If you or someone
you know has been harassed or assaulted, you are encouraged to report it to the
Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, 135
Park Building, 801-581-8365, or the Office of the Dean of Students, 270 Union
Building, 801-581-7066. For support and confidential consultation, contact the
Center for Student Wellness, 426 SSB, 801-581-7776. To report to the police,
contact the Department of Public Safety, 801-585-2677(COPS).

3. The Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities. The code, which specifies
student rights as well as conduct involving cheating, plagiarism, collusion, fraud,
theft, etc., is provided at http://regulations.utah.edu/academics/6-400.php.

4. Wellness Statement. Personal concerns such as stress, anxiety, relationship

difficulties, depression, cross-cultural differences, etc., can interfere with a student’s
ability to succeed and thrive at the University of Utah. For helpful resources contact
the Center for Student Wellness, http://wellness.utah.edu/; 801-581-7776.

5. Drop/Withdrawal. The last day to drop (delete) classes is 1/22/16; the last day to
withdraw from this class is 3/04/16. Please check the academic calendar for more
information pertaining to dropping and withdrawing from a course. Withdrawing from
a course and other matters of registration are the student’s responsibility.

6. Veterans Center. If you are a student veteran, I want you to know that the U of Utah
has a Veterans Support Center on campus. They are located in Room 161 in the
Olpin Union Building. Hours: M-F 8-5pm. Please visit their website for more
information about what support they offer, a list of ongoing events and links to
outside resources: http://veteranscenter.utah.edu/. Please also let me know if you
need any additional support in this class for any reason.

7. LGBT Resource Center. If you are a member of the LGBTQ community, I want you
to know that my classroom is a safe zone. Additionally, please know that the U of
 Utah has an LGBT Resource Center on campus. They are located in Room 409 in
the Olpin Union Building; their hours are M-F 8-5 pm. You can visit their website to
find more information about the support they can offer, a list of events through the
center and links to additional resources: http://lgbt.utah.edu/. Please also let me
know if there is any additional support you need in this class.

8. Learners of English as an Additional/Second Language. If you are an English

language learner, please be aware of several resources on campus that will support
you with your language development and writing. These resources include: the
Writing Center (http://writingcenter.utah.edu/); the Writing Program (http://writing-
program.utah.edu/); the English Language Institute (http://continue.utah.edu/eli/).
Please let me know if there is any additional support you would like to discuss for
this class.