The purpose of this assignment is to challenge students to conduct a thorough review of elements of a strategic advocacy framework, using a real-world and ongoing policy and advocacy campaign as the basis for that review.
Through their responses to the "Probe Questions" set forth below in the Details section, students will identify and develop some core elements of a strategic plan such as audience segmentation, messaging, and tactics that breakthrough in a crowded marketplace of advocacy campaigns. Students must answer all of the Probe Questions in order to receive full credit.
Probe Questions about your chosen ongoing policy and advocacy campaign:
What is the policy goal?
Who are the advocates? (not specific names but types of advocates who are involved? Are hoped to be involved?)
Who are the target policymakers? (Not specific names, but types of policymakers that advocates hope to influence?)
What is your assessment of the success and limitations of this advocacy in the past 3-4 years? Specifically, what are some of the relevant events that have shaped the direction that advocates have taken?
Grading Criteria: Professors will be grading papers based upon (1) responsiveness to each probe question; (2) ability to clearly and concisely explain your analysis; (3) demonstration that you conducted basic research on the issue, which should be cited in the paper, and, (4) ability to write, including spelling and grammar.
The paper should be 1,000 - 1,200 words (double-spaced, 12 point font) and include citations for your resources (citations not to be included in word count.) Per the Syllabus, all written assignments must use MLA format for citations.