Philanthropy & Public Service (PPS)

PPS 1100  Introduction to Citizenship and Community Service  (1)  

Designed to introduce students to shared public challenges and to help them cultivate the knowledge, skills, commitments, partnerships, and imagination required to orient their emerging expertise toward human flourishing and the common good. Scholarship is enriched by learning outside the classroom through engagement activities such as research, service, and reflection. May be repeated a maximum of four times with a different topic each time.

PPS 1102  Community Law Enforcement  (1)  

Examination of the criminal justice system, law enforcement, police, courts, and the corrections system through service-learning, as well as classroom instruction.

PPS 2301  Leadership and Social Change  (3)  

Theory and practice of leading groups toward positive social change, emphasizing issues such as poverty, public education, and systemic inequality. A minimum of sixty hours of public service outside of class required.

PPS 3300  Citizenship, Community, and Service Learning  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Intensive integration of academic study with service learning opportunities in the community. Course emphasis will vary by semester. Seminar discussions, readings, and personal reflection will enrich the community volunteer experience. A minimum of three hours per week of community service is required.

PPS 3301  Public Policy Innovation and the Common Good  (3)  

The role of public and private actors in the making and implementation of public policies directed to address complex problems. Special focus on the collaborative efforts of government and nonprofit entities as they seek solutions that contribute to the public good.

PPS 3302  Criminal Justice and Community Law Enforcement  (3)  
Cross-listed as CCS 3302, PSC 3302  

Examination of the criminal justice system, law enforcement, police, courts, and the corrections system from the perspective of law enforcement personnel, alleged offenders, and victims of crime.

PPS 3372  Law, Justice and the Community  (3)  
Cross-listed as PSC 3372  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing  

Introduction to legal practice. Contains community service component and required internship in legal offices.

PPS 4301  Social & Economic Innovation  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Develop theoretical and historical frameworks to understand how social and economic innovation can be employed to promote human flourishing. Students participate outside class in social and economic innovation in the community through partner-led projects and interactions.

PPS 4302  Civic & Community Innovation  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Develop understanding of how institutions across the public, private, and social sectors can collaborate and innovate to promote human flourishing. Involves partnerships with the City of Waco in which students apply learning to promote community improvement initiatives.

PPS 4303  Christian Social Innovation  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Examines historical, theological, and theoretical frameworks, along with strategies that encourage Christians to build, renew, and transform institutions. Students spend time outside class working with institutions throughout the community to promote human flourishing.

PPS 4304  Nonprofits, the Social Sector, & Philanthropic Innovation  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): PPS 1100 or approval of instructor  

Explores the role of nonprofit organizations and the social sector in a democratic society. Evaluates effective practices in consultation with nonprofit leaders and engages with nonprofit partners to explore new innovations for social impact.

PPS 4310  Philanthropy, Civil Society, & the Public Good  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing  

The role of philanthropy and civil society in public problem solving with an introduction to ethics and importance of financial giving and community investments. Students will spend significant time outside class working with foundations and nonprofits.

PPS 4V98  Advanced Study in Philanthropy and Social Innovation  (1-4)  

Advanced study in philanthropy, the social sector, and social innovation, with emphasis on cross-sector collaboration and innovative approaches to pursuing the public good.