Topics in Public Affairs: Strategic Planning

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Become conversant on the basics of the strategic planning process.
• Understand alternatives to the traditional strategic planning process.
• Identify resources available for strategic planning.
• Determine if an organization is ready for a strategic planning process.
• Understand the steps sufficiently, as a generalist executive, to lead an organization through a strategic planning process.
• Engage with alternatives to a traditional strategic planning process that may be more productive in a nonprofit setting.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Assignment #1: Organizational Readiness Assessment	20%
Assignment #2: Strategic Analysis and Priority Identification	20%
Assignment #3: Strategic Plan Analysis and Reflection	20%
Assignment #4: Strategic Planning Process Portfolio	20%
Three Canvas Discussions / Participation in Online Discussions	20%

Grade Percent & Corresponding Letter Grade

Grading Scale

Percentage	Letter Grade
93 to 100 percent	A
90 to 92.99 percent	A-
87 to 89.99 percent	B+
83 to 86.99 percent	B
80 to 82.99 percent	B-
77 to 79.99 percent	C+
70 to 76.99 percent	C
60 to 69.99 percent	C-
Less than 60 percent	F

Attendance/Participation:

Completing readings, viewing online course videos, and actively participating in Canvas discussions as assigned are expected.

Work submitted late is reduced one letter grade for every 24-hour period past due date and time. Assignments and course work is late if it is submitted after the specified date and time; these times are not prorated, and late work is automatically reduced one letter grade per 24-hour period.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

Bryson, John M. 2024. Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations: A Guide to Strengthening and Sustaining Organizational Achievement. Sixth Edition. (Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons).