GOVT 4372 - Advocacy and Politics – Archer Fellowship

Credit(s): 3

This course is an introduction to the issues individuals face when placed in the role of persuading others to adopt an issue or idea in a political environment like Washington DC. Students will learn ways of communicating ideas memorably and impactfully, techniques for building and maintaining a “brand” name that motivates people to listen to you, ways of building allies through narrative and networking, methods for framing issues so they are potentially adoptable (i.e., pre-selling), and ways to apply various theories of persuasion to political issues. The goal is for class participants to grasp concepts they will see and experience during their internship in Washington D.C. This is not a class on social movements although we will allude to some throughout the semester. It is instead about specific tools and techniques people can use to change others’ opinions about issues. Half of this class is intentionally scheduled for the beginning of the semester. The remaining sessions take place over several weekends throughout the semester.
Repeated: No Prerequisite Course(s): GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306. Non-Course Prerequisite(s):
Acceptance into the Archer Fellowship program sponsored by the Archer Center of the University of Texas System.
Registration Restriction by Classification
Junior