Civil Society And Community Organizations

This course focuses on the role of nongovernmental organizations in promoting social cohesion and also stimulating social change. Drawing on classic and contemporary discussions of civil society as well as several perspectives in organizational theory, such as resource dependency theory, organizational ecology, and neo-institutionalism, the course reviews the structure and functions of major types of voluntary and nonprofit organizations, including self-help, mutual benefit, and grassroots community organizations, noting their relations with corporations and government.