Programs by Campus

Indianapolis

Philanthropic Studies
Courses

Curriculum
Courses
Faculty

  • PHST-P 501 The Philanthropic Tradition I (3 cr.) This in­terdisciplinary courses will examine the core values of philan­thropy and the principal patterns of philanthropic behavior and organization with particular emphasis on the Western tradition and the American adaptation of it. Permission of the instructor required.
  • PHST-P 502 The Philanthropic Tradition II (3 cr.) This in­terdisciplinary courses will examine the core values of philan­thropy and the principal patterns of philanthropic behavior and organization with particular emphasis on the Western tradition and the American adaptation of it. Permission of the instructor required.
  • PHST-P 515 History of Philanthropy (3 cr.) This course examines traditions of giving and receiving charity and philanthropy in the modern era. It takes a comparative approach to giving including different historical contexts and traditions.  Among the topics covered will be donor motivations, definitions of need, identity formation, and philanthropy, politics and social change.
  • PHST-P 527 Cross Cultural Dimensions of Philanthropy (3 cr.) Examines cross-cultural research on philanthropy and pursues critical inquiry into the historical and cultural implications of philanthropy. The course focuses on the diverse systems of giving and serving within philanthropic traditions in the United States and around the world.
  • PHST-P 523 Civil Society and Philanthropy (3 cr.) The course explores the relationship of civil society to the state, how the nonprofit sector affects the state and how the state regulates the sector. A continuing theme will be how and whether the state and philanthropic institutions make investments in strengthening civil society.
  • PHST-P 524 Civil Society in Comparative Perspective (3 cr.)

    An exploration of state-society relationships in a variety of regimes and time periods.  Focuses on ways regimes’ policies affect the existence and organizations that stand between the individual 
    and the state and how nonprofit organizations shape the policy  agenda of a regime.

  • PHST-P 530 Topics in Philanthropic Studies (3 cr.) In-depth study of selected topics and issues in philanthropic studies. Specific top­ics vary from semester to semester. Course may be repeated once for credit, provided that the topic is different. Variable title approval requested.
  • PHST-P 535 Law of Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.) This seminar examines major aspects of the legal regulation of nonprofit organizations and other legal issues affecting them. Topics include the formation, operation, and governance of nonprofit organizations, the duties and liability of officers and directors, charitable solicitation, tax-exempt status for public benefit and mutual benefit organizations, charitable contributions, lobby­ing, and other related topics.
  • PHST-P 555 Readings in Philanthropic Studies (1-4 cr.) A tutorial course involving in-depth study and analysis of a specific topic in philanthropic studies, by arrangement with instructor. Per­mission of director required.
  • PHST-P 558 Principles and Practices of Fundraising (3 cr.)

    This course covers salient aspects of fundraising by nonprofit organizations - its core values, preparing a case, techniques and strategies, assessing sources of support, engagement of human resources, and process management. The course addresses theory to undergird practice, examination of current practice and practice standards, and ethical problems in fundraising.

  • PHST-P 590 Internship in Philanthropic Studies (3 cr.) A course for the advanced student of philanthropy. Students work 10 hours per week for a voluntary association, applying knowledge gained in earlier courses to practical situations. Requirements include a journal and a substantial term paper.
  • PHST-P 600 M.A. Thesis in Philanthropic Studies (1-6 cr.)
  • PHST-P 602 Qualitative Methods for Third Sector Research (3 cr.) This course will examine the organization, design, and execu­tion of multi-method, qualitative research with a special em­phasis on third sector contexts. Specific tools for research, such as observation, interview, case study design, and document analysis will be examined through course readings, discussion, and the conduct of student projects.
  • PHST-P 660 Ethical, Moral, and Religious Aspects of Philanthropy (3 cr.) This doctoral seminar focuses on the major ethical and moral texts that explain and justify philanthropy. Emphasis is placed on the philosophy of philanthropy in comparative per­spective, world traditions of social and religious conditions, and moral issues raised in philanthropy practice.
  • PHST-P 662 Historical and Cultural Perspectives of Philanthropy (3 cr.) This doctoral seminar focuses on the history of Philanthro­py from earliest to contemporary times. Cross-cultural perspec­tives are considered as socially and historically conditioned. Ethnic and gender philanthropy are examined across geograph­ic, cultural, and chronological periods.
  • PHST-P 664 Philanthropy and Nonprofit Organizations in Society (3 cr.) Doctoral seminar focusing on how social, psychological, political, and economic theories are used to explain philanthropy and the practice of philanthropy through organizations in society. Major theoretical concepts such as contract failure, social origins theory, voluntary failure, and serial reciprocity presented along with other relevant theoretical and empirical works.
  • PHST-P 690 Research in Philanthropic Studies (1-3 cr.) P: One seĀ­mester of M.A. course work. Students will research specialized topics related to philanthropic studies agreed upon with the instructor from and in their chosen disciplinary perspective. In some instances, team research may be carried out. The course may be repeated once with approval by the chair of philan­thropic studies.
  • PHST-P 790 Advanced Research Seminar in Philanthropic Studies (3 cr.)  This doctoral seminar examines epistemological issues and tools, synthesizes the ways of knowing, and assesses forces that affect the conduct and use of knowledge in philanthropic studies. Multiple disciplinary perspectives and contemporary theoretical foundations of philanthropic studies are used to design and critique potential dissertation projects.
  • PHST-P 890 Dissertation (arr. cr.) Research and writing dissertation.
  • PHST-G 901 Advanced Research (6 cr.)

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