Course Syllabus
V326: Communication for Government & Nonprofit Organizations
Fall 2026 · Tues/Thurs 8:00–9:15 AM · BQ · Instructor: Katie Broadfoot, MPA · Indiana University Bloomington · O'Neill School
| 📅 Meeting Time Tues / Thurs 8:00–9:15 AM |
📍 Location BQ |
📬 Contact kbroadfoot@btownpathways.org 24-hr response time should be expected. Office hours by appt. |
📚 Readings Other Readings (will be organized by due date / module) |
From Your Instructor
Welcome to V326. This course will prepare you to communicate powerfully, ethically, and strategically in public service contexts. As the Executive Director of a local nonprofit, I bring real-world perspective to everything we do in class, and my goal is for you to leave this course with skills you can use.
This course is organized as a series of weekly units. Each Tuesday introduces a new topic through lecture and discussion. Each Thursday, you apply that topic through a graded in-class activity, which means your attendance on Thursdays is directly tied to your grade. You cannot make up in-class activities for any reason, unless you have a documented AES accommodation OR you receive an authorized Attendance Memo from the IU Dean of Students.
How This Course Works
| Tuesday Lecture, discussion, and concept introduction. Come having done the reading. This is where you'll learn the frameworks you'll need on Thursday. |
Thursday A graded applied activity. These measure whether you engaged with Tuesday's material and the readings. Most are done in class, in real time. You cannot complete the activity if you are not there. You cannot make up a graded activity unless you have a documented AES accommodation OR you receive an authorized Attendance Memo from the IU Dean of Students. |
The Speaker's Primer is your field guide for public speaking. Each chapter is assigned to a specific class session where you will use it directly. All other readings are freely available online. A complete reading list by date is provided in your Assignments tab and your Modules tab.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
| 1 | Evaluate diverse audience types and adapt communication accordingly |
| 2 | Apply communication vocabulary, frameworks, and tools to real nonprofit and government contexts |
| 3 | Evaluate organizational credibility and its impacts on messaging |
| 4 | Write clear, purposeful professional communications — from emails to strategic plans |
| 5 | Develop substantive strategic messaging campaigns |
| 6 | Deliver logically sound, well-prepared public presentations |
| 7 | Navigate crisis, accountability, and ethical communication with confidence |
The Informing the Public Assignment
Your major project is Informing the Public, a researched, fully prepared presentation on a topic relevant to nonprofit or government communication. Presentations are delivered during the final sessions of the semester (Nov 30 – Dec 7). Details will be shared during Week 10. I recommend NOT waiting until the last minute to think of a topic and prepare. Students will be assigned a presentation day. Missed presentations cannot be made up unless you have a documented AES accommodation OR you receive an authorized Attendance Memo from the IU Dean of Students.
| Your own presentation 500 points — the largest single assignment in the course and the one that most directly mirrors what you'll be asked to do in your career. |
Peer feedback |
Attendance is required for ALL students on ALL speech & presentation days. An automatic 5% deduction from your final course grade will be applied for each day missed. No exceptions unless you have a documented AES accommodation OR you receive an authorized Attendance Memo from the IU Dean of Students.
Course Schedule
🟢 Green = graded Thursday activity | 🟡 Gold = Test days | 🔴 Pink = Speech days | ⭐ Purple = Informing the Public | ⬜ Gray = no class
| Wk | Date | Day | Topic | Activity / Notes | Readings due before class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aug 25 | Tues | Welcome, Expectations & Intro to the Sectors | Syllabus walkthrough; readings & modules setup; mini-lecture on what nonprofit & gov communicators actually do | No readings |
| Aug 27 | Thurs | 📝 ACTIVITY: Sector Landscape & Your Communication Persona | Sector & Audience Analysis Card — 25 pts | No readings | |
| 2 | Sept. 1 | Tues | The Art & Science of Storytelling | Narrative structure, ethical storytelling, the single story danger | SPEAKER'S PRIMER • SP Ch. 1 NONPROFIT READY • Moving Hearts & Minds: The Power of Storytelling within Nonprofits [Video] FREE / CANVAS • The Guide to Nonprofit Storytelling (PDF) — Canvas • Storytelling and the Art of Email Writing (PDF) — Canvas • The Danger of a Single Story — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie — ted.com [18 min] • Dismantling Philanthropy's White Savior Complex — ssir.org • From Exploitative Storytelling to Justice — ssir.org • Example: Charity:Water Blog — charitywater.org/blog • Example: St. Jude Patient Stories — stjude.org/stories |
| Sep 3 | Thurs | 📝 ACTIVITY: Story That Sticks | 60-second organizational story — 40 pts | No readings | |
| 3 | Sep 8 | Tues | Audience Analysis | — | — |
| Sep 10 | Thurs | 📝 ACTIVITY: Public Meeting Challenge | 2-min public comment — 25 pts | PRCA “Quiz” — 10 pts | SPEAKER'S PRIMER • SP Ch. 2, 6, 7, 9 • Complete PRCA Quiz in TopHat — 10 pts, due before class NONPROFIT READY • Conquering the Challenges of Public Speaking [Webinar] • Audience & Purpose in Business Writing [Webinar] • The Art & Science of Communication [Webinar] FREE • How to Speak So That People Want to Listen — Julian Treasure — ted.com [10 min] • Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are — Amy Cuddy — ted.com [optional] |
|
| 4 | Sep 15 | Tues | Brand, Identity & Audience Analysis | Org credibility, audience segmentation. 🏅 Marketing Essentials Certificate due (40 pts) | NONPROFIT READY • How Strong Branding Can Help Grow Your Nonprofit [Video] • Crafting Cause Marketing [Video] • Marketing Essentials Certificate — complete before Sep 14 [~60 min — 40 pts] FREE / CANVAS • Nonprofit Branding Toolkit (PDF) — Canvas • Social Media Toolkit (PDF) — Canvas • The Pathways Rebrand — btownpathways.org [explore; discuss in class] |
| Sep 17 | Thurs | 📝 ACTIVITY: Brand Audit | 3-min brand assessment across 3 channels — 35 pts | No readings | |
| 5 | Sep 22 | Tues | Advocacy, Persuasion & Public Value | Persuasion frameworks, message framing, policy vs. political | SPEAKER'S PRIMER • SP Ch. 15, 20, 21 FREE / CANVAS • An Introduction to Advocacy as a Change Strategy for Nonprofits — ssir.org • Why Should Your Nonprofit Advocate? — independentsector.org • Bringing Social Justice to the Forefront: The Role of Nonprofits — ssir.org • Deciding When to Speak Up on Social Issues — hbr.org • Pathways TANF Op-Ed (PDF) — Canvas • Pathways CCDF/Early Learning Op-Ed (PDF) — Canvas |
| Sep 24 | Thurs | 📝 ACTIVITY: Advocacy in Action Lab | 2-min advocacy pitch to a specific decision-maker — 40 pts | No readings | |
| 6 | Sep 29 | Tues | Strategic Communications Planning | Audience mapping, channel selection, goal-setting. Intro to Framing the Debate speech. | FREE / CANVAS • Five Components of a Successful Strategic Communications Plan — nonprofitmarketingguide.com • Nonprofit Communications Plan — sample and framework (PDF) — Canvas |
| Sep 31 | Thurs | 📝 ACTIVITY: Strategic Communication Plan | One-page strategic comms plan, pair-share & critique — 40 pts | No readings | |
| 7 | Oct 6 | Tues | Speech Workshop & Prep Day | Argumentation, evidence, structure. Peer coaching for Framing the Debate. |
SPEAKER'S PRIMER •How to Make your Case in 30 Seconds or Less - Canvas •Framing & Organizing Deliberative Presentations - Canvas |
| Oct 8 | Thurs | 🗣️ SPEECH: Framing the Debate | 100 pts — delivered in class | No readings — come prepared to present | |
| 8 | Oct 13 | Tues | 🗣️ SPEECH: Framing the Debate; review for test 1 (take home) | 100 pts — delivered in class | |
| Oct 15 | Thurs | NO CLASS - ENJOY A FALL BREAK :) | No new readings — review Units 1–7 materials and notes | ||
| 9 | Oct 20 | Tues | Crisis Communication | Crisis typology, accountability spectrum, reputation management. Real case studies. | SPEAKER'S PRIMER • SP Ch. 3 (review — delivery under pressure) FREE / CANVAS • Managing Crisis (PDF) — Canvas • Crisis Communication Playbook for Nonprofits (PDF) — Canvas • Five of the Biggest Nonprofit Scandals in Recent History — nonprofitquarterly.org • The True Story of a Nonprofit Embezzlement that Stunned a Small Community (PDF) — Canvas • Fear vs. Hope: Which Is Better for Your Brand Messaging? — nonprofitmarketingguide.com • Reimagine Your Nonprofit to Survive the Crisis — ssir.org |
| Oct 22 | Thurs | 🗣️ SPEECH: The Apology Statement | 100 pts — 2-min public apology as org spokesperson | SPEAKER'S PRIMER • SP Ch. 10, 18 FREE / CANVAS • The Organizational Apology — framework and examples (PDF) — Canvas • What Michael Phelps & Tom Daschle Can Teach Us About Apologies (PDF) — Canvas |
|
| 10 | Oct 27 | Tues | Communicating in the Age of Mis/Disinformation | How misinformation spreads, prebunking vs. debunking, hope vs. fear appeals | FREE / CANVAS • How Misinformation Spreads — and Why We Trust It — scientificamerican.com • Prebunking vs. Debunking: What Works Better — firstdraftnews.org • Fear-Based Marketing vs. Hope-Based Marketing — socialmediaexplorer.com • Silence Is Complicity: What Is Unsaid Speaks Volumes (PDF) — Canvas • In an Era of Eroding Trust, It's Nonprofits' Time to Lead — ssir.org |
| Oct 29 | Thurs | 📝 ACTIVITY: Ghost Story Audit | Audit a real org's messaging for ethical lapses — 35 pts | No readings | |
| 11 | Nov 3 | Tues | Internal Communication & Professional Email | Internal comms frameworks, generational styles, tone and clarity in email | SPEAKER'S PRIMER • SP Ch. 22 NONPROFIT READY • Email Management: From a Frustrating Chore to a Powerful Tool [Video] FREE / CANVAS • Internal Communication Toolkit (PDF) — Canvas • 10 Tips to Create an Internal Communications Plan — nten.org • What Are Communication Silos and How Do You Break Them? — ssir.org • Email Etiquette Guide (PDF) — Canvas • Bridging Generational Divides in Your Workplace — ssir.org • Managing People from 5 Generations — hbr.org • How to Deal with a Passive-Aggressive Peer — hbr.org |
| Nov 5 | Thurs | 📝 ACTIVITY: Email Lab | 6 real-scenario email drafts in class — 50 pts | No readings | |
| 12 | Nov 10 | Tues | Data Storytelling & Communicating Research | Turning data into narrative, the SSIR approach, grant writing as storytelling | FREE / CANVAS • David McCandless: The Beauty of Data Visualization — ted.com [17 min] • Hans Rosling: The Best Stats You've Ever Seen — ted.com [19 min] • Infographics Toolkit (PDF) — Canvas • The Guide to Meaningful Nonprofit Metrics (PDF) — Canvas • What Makes a Compelling Grant Narrative — framework (PDF) — Canvas • The Pudding — pudding.cool [browse 2–3 examples; discuss in class] • Audacious Philanthropy — ssir.org • How Fundraisers Can Use Psychology — ssir.org |
| Nov 12 | Thurs | 📝 ACTIVITY: Data Kitchen + Grant Pitch | 3-min data story + 90-sec elevator grant pitch — 35 pts | No readings | |
| 13 | Nov 17 | Tues | AI & Automation in Communication | What AI can and can't do, responsible use, brand voice integrity, ethics of AI content | SPEAKER'S PRIMER • SP Ch. 8 FREE / CANVAS • AI Manifesto (PDF) — Canvas • 13 Principles for Using AI Responsibly — hbr.org • Don't Let an AI Failure Ruin Your Brand — hbr.org • What Makes a Company Successful at Using AI — hbr.org • AI & Nonprofit Communications — SSIR roundup — ssir.org |
| Nov 19 | Thurs | 📝 ACTIVITY: AI Activity + Informing the Public Prep | AI ethics activity + topic sign-up — 30 pts | No readings | |
| 14 | Dec 1 | Tues | ⭐ Informing the Public — Day 1 | 15 presentations. Mandatory attendance for all students. | No readings — come prepared to present and engage |
| Dec 3 | Thurs | ⭐ Informing the Public — Day 2 | 15 presentations. Mandatory attendance for all students. | No readings — come prepared to present and engage | |
| Dec 8 | Tues | ⭐ Informing the Public — Day 3 + Course Wrap | 5 presentations + test prep Mandatory attendance for all students. | No readings — come prepared to present and engage | |
| Dec 10 | Thurs | 🔴 TEST 2 — in person | Covers Units 8–13. Take-home style, to be completed during scheduled class period. 50 pts | SPEAKER'S PRIMER • SP Ch. 22 (review) REVIEW • All Units 8–13 materials, notes, and activity feedback |
Point Distribution
| Assignment | Due | Points |
|---|---|---|
| GRADED IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES | ||
| Sector & Audience Analysis Card | Aug 26 | 25 |
| Story That Sticks | Sep 2 | 40 |
| Public Meeting Challenge | Sep 9 | 25 |
| PRCA Quiz | Sep 9 | 10 |
| Brand Audit | Sep 16 | 35 |
| Advocacy in Action Lab | Sep 23 | 40 |
| Strategic Communication Plan | Sep 30 | 40 |
| Ghost Story Audit | Oct 28 | 35 |
| Email Lab | Nov 4 | 50 |
| Data Kitchen | Nov 11 | 35 |
| AI Activity | Nov 18 | 30 |
| Informing the Public — Peer Feedback (10 pts × 34 peers) | Nov 30–Dec 7 | 340 |
| SPEECHES | ||
| Framing the Debate | Oct 7 | 100 |
| The Apology Statement | Oct 21 | 100 |
| Informing the Public (your presentation) | Nov 30–Dec 7 | 500 |
| CERTIFICATE | ||
| Nonprofit Ready: Marketing Essentials Certificate | Sep 14 | 40 |
| TESTS | ||
| Test 1 — in class (Units 1–7) | Oct 14 | 50 |
| Test 2 — online via Canvas (Units 8–13) | Dec 9 | 50 |
| PARTICIPATION | ||
| Participation (see rubric in syllabus) | Ongoing | 100 |
| TOTAL | 1,645 | |
Grading Scale: A: 93–100% | A-: 90–92% | B+: 87–89% | B: 83–86% | B-: 80–82% | C+: 77–79% | C: 73–76% | C-: 70–72% | D+: 67–69% | D: 63–66% | D-: 60–62% | F: below 60%
Course Policies
| 🗓️ Attendance Your attendance choices are your own to make, however there will be no make ups or extensions offered for missed classes for any reason - including: illness, death in the family, early traveling for holidays or breaks, missing the bus, etc. Presentation & speech days carry a separate mandatory attendance policy — 5% per day missed, regardless of circumstances. |
📬 Late Work & In-Class Activities Late assignments without prior communication (noon the day before something is due) are not accepted. Prior communication acceptance will be evaluated case by case. All work is due via Canvas by 8:00 AM on the listed date. There will be no make ups or extensions offered for missed classes for any reason, including: illness, death in the family, strep throat, early traveling for holidays or breaks, missing the bus, etc. No exceptions. It is simply too much for me to keep track of. There will not be extra credit offered. |
| 🤖 Academic Integrity & AI You are expected to know and follow IU's academic integrity policies. AI tools may be used for brainstorming and research assistance, but submitting AI-generated text as your own work constitutes academic misconduct. When in doubt, disclose your use and ask. If TurnitIn generates AI use of more than 15% without proper in text citations in every instance a reference occurs, the assignment will receive an automatic zero. |
💬 Grade Disputes Please wait 24 hours after receiving a grade before raising a concern. Please email me prepared with a clear argument for why your grade should change. All disputes must be raised within one week of the grade being returned. |
| ♿ Disability Accommodations Students with documented disabilities should contact IU Disability Services to obtain a certified accommodation memo and share it with me at the start of the semester. |
🏛️ O'Neill Professional Conduct The O'Neill School expects all community members to treat others with mutual respect — including punctuality, preparedness, attentiveness, appropriate device use, and respectful engagement with diverse perspectives. |
Participation Rubric
| Points | Description |
|---|---|
| 100 | Comes prepared to 90%+ of classes; contributes readily without dominating; makes thoughtful, literature-grounded contributions; shows genuine interest in peers' ideas; participates actively in all group work. |
| 70 | Comes prepared to 85% of classes; makes thoughtful comments when called upon; contributes occasionally; shows respect for others; participates in small groups. |
| 50 | Participates but in a problematic way: talks too much, rambles, interrupts, or ignores social cues. Comes to 80% or fewer of classes. |
| 30 | Comes prepared but barely contributes. |
| 0 | Not prepared or does not contribute. Displays disrespect to instructor or peers. Comes to 75% or fewer classes. |
Campus Resources
| Writing Tutorial Services writing.indiana.edu — Free writing help for any assignment |
IU Counseling & Psych Services (CAPS) caps.indiana.edu — Free counseling for students |
| Student Academic Center sac.indiana.edu — Tutoring and academic support |
Dean of Students Office studentaffairs.indiana.edu/dos — Crisis support and advocacy |
V326 · Communication for Government & Nonprofit Organizations · Fall 2026 · Katie Broadfoot, MPA · Indiana University Bloomington
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|