Fall 2025 - 65585 - PA 388K - Topics in Policy

Social movements are critical to achieving and sustaining policy change. They raise public awareness and frame debates about public affairs issues. Social movements also build and amplify political pressure. And they move hearts and minds in ways that mobilize large numbers of people to get involved in many forms of democratic action. Unfamiliar to many, however, is that ‘funders’ are often part and parcel of social movement work. This course introduces students to theories and practices of social movement funders who align with different parts of the political spectrum in the U.S. The course is a seminar format that incorporates mini lectures, guest speakers, short investigative assignments, films, academic and non-academic readings, and class discussions. Please contact Prof Lentz (becky.lentz@utexas.edu) directly for any questions about prerequisite knowledge and/or experience as well as teaching philosophy and student expectations.