Course Syllabus


 Course Description

This doctoral seminar introduces major theories of the nonprofit and philanthropic sector by treating theory as something scholars do—not something they merely “cover.” Rather than progressing through theories as discrete content areas, the course is organized around scholarly practices: tracing debates, identifying assumptions, evaluating critiques, and positioning theoretical contributions.

Students entering this course will bring different disciplinary traditions, methodological preferences, and levels of familiarity with nonprofit and philanthropic scholarship. No prior coursework in nonprofit studies is assumed. The course is designed to help students develop transferable skills in theory use, critique, and scholarly synthesis regardless of disciplinary background.

Throughout the semester, students will develop and apply a shared "theory toolkit" for reconstructing, critiquing, extending, and mobilizing theories across nonprofit and philanthropic studies.

This course uses a studio-seminar format in which students learn theory through iterative cycles of analysis, writing, critique, and revision. Students produce a concept-centered literature review while developing transferable skills in theoretical reasoning, literature synthesis, and scholarly critique.

 Learning Outcomes 

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

  1. Accurately reconstruct the core logics of major nonprofit and philanthropic theories
  2. Identify and evaluate different types of theoretical critiques
  3. Position a theoretically coherent contribution within an existing debate
  4. Trace how key concepts evolve, stretch, or fragment over time
  5. Exercise judgment in literature selection and synthesis
  6. Use research tools (Zotero, GenAI tools) reflectively and critically

 Course Requirements 

Required Text and Materials

These resources are available from the IUI Library.

Powell, Walter W. and Steinberg. (2006). 2nd edition. The Nonprofit Sector: A Research Handbook. Stanford University Press. https://iucat.iu.edu/catalog/16783680

Powell, W. W., & Bromley, P. (2020). 3rd edition. The nonprofit sector : a research handbook. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. https://iucat.iu.edu/catalog/18299029

Witesman, E. M, & Child, C. L. (2024). Reimagining nonprofits : sector theory in the twenty-first century. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. iu.edu/lib/iupui-ebooks/detail.action?docID=31095406.

Bassi, A., Alves, M.A,  Cordery, C. (2025) The Future of Third Sector Research. Springer. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-67896-7

 Technical Requirements

You will need the following in order to participate in this course:

  • Desktop or laptop computer
  • Reliable Internet connection
  • Webcam
  • External microphone or headset with built-in microphone
  • Access to Canvas using a supported web browser.

 Technical Support

For additional help with technical issues, consult:

 Course Assessment & Grades

Course Assessment:

Grades emphasize thinking and process, not performance polish. 

Students will be evaluated primarily on conceptual clarity, theoretical reasoning, and scholarly judgment. Language differences are expected in a doctoral community. Students are encouraged to seek feedback on writing, but ideas will always be evaluated separately from stylistic fluency.

1. Zotero as Research Infrastructure (15% pts)

2.  Theory Critique Discovery (15%)

3. Final Seminar Paper: Concept‑Centered Theory Review (45%)

4. Peer Review as Theory Practice (10%)

5. Studio Portfolio: Theory‑in‑Practice (5%) 

Submitting Assignments

Submit all assignments through the appropriate assignment feature in Canvas. Whenever possible, submit as a Word document so that I can supply detailed comments. 

How Will I Know How I’m Doing in This Course?

Grades will be posted in Canvas within 1 week of the due date. Your Canvas Gradebook will show your current overall grade based on the assignments you've submitted. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact me.

Late Work

Timely submission of assignments is expected. Falling behind on one assignment often makes it more difficult to keep up with subsequent coursework, so please plan your time carefully and submit all assignments by the stated due dates. Extensions and course incompletes are granted only in cases of  extenuating circumstances and must be discussed with me as soon as possible.