Subject Title / Management of Nonprofit Organizations
Credit Value / 3
Level / 5
Normal Duration / 1-semester
Pre-requisite / Co-requisite/
Exclusion / Public Sector Management (MM551)
Role and Purposes / This course aims to provide the students with an understanding of the theories and practices of nonprofit organization management. It includes key conceptual and practical issues related to nonprofit management, such as civil society, public policy advocacy, collaborative service delivery, nonprofit financial management and fundraising, capacity building, nonprofit governance, and nonprofit leadership, etc. This course will explore the interactions among governmental agencies, businesses and nonprofit organizations in modern public sector management.
Subject Learning Outcomes / Upon completion of the subject, students will be able to:
- have a general understanding of the theories of nonprofit management;
- have a general understanding of the unique social and political contexts of nonprofit or nongovernmental organizations in Hong Kong and mainland China;
- move to a high level of intellectual and practical skills by analyzing management problems within and outside nonprofit organizations and providing recommendations to improve their organizational management and effectiveness in practice.
Subject Synopsis/ Indicative Syllabus / The Nature and History of Nonprofit Organizations
The history and development of nonprofit sector in western societies
The history and development of nonprofit sector in Hong Kong and China
Theories of nonprofit organizations
Managing Nonprofit Organizations
Nonprofit financial management and fundraising
Managing nonprofit staff and volunteers
Capacity building
Nonprofits and policy advocacy
Board of Directors and nonprofit governance
Managing stakeholders of nonprofit organizations
Nonprofit Leadership
Collaborative service delivery and cross-sector governance
Teaching/Learning Methodology / Lectures will be the primary instrument of teaching. Students are expected to read assigned teaching materials and actively participate in class discussion and group projects. Case study will be widely used throughout the course. Emphasis will be puton the application of nonprofit management theories to improve the effectiveness of nonprofit management in Hong Kong and other relevant contexts.
Assessment Methods in Alignment with Intended Learning Outcomes / Specific assessment methods/tasks / % weighting / Intended subject learning outcomes to be assessed (Please tick as appropriate)
a. / b. / c.
Continuous Assessment* / 50%
- Class participation
- Group project
- Individual paper
Examination / 50% / /
Total / 100 %
*Weighting of assessment methods/tasks in continuous assessment may be different, subject to each subject lecturer.
To pass this subject, students are required to obtain Grade D or above inboth the Continuous Assessment and Examination components.
Explanation of the appropriateness of the assessment methods in assessing the intended learning outcomes:
The assessment methods are designed to motivate students to read related course materials and participate in class activities so that the intended learning outcomes can be achieved. The instructor will provide feedback and suggestions to students via multiple methods of communication.
Student Study Effort Expected
/ Class contact:
- Lectures
Other student study effort:
- Preparation for lectures
- Preparation for individual paper, group project/presentation and final examination
Total student study effort / 117 Hrs.
Reading List and References / Books
Light, Paul C., Sustaining Nonprofit Performance: The Case for Capacity Building and the Evidence to Support It. Washington, D.C.:Brookings Institution Press, 2004.
Journals
Journal of Public Administration: Theory and Research
Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly
Nonprofit Management and Leadership
Public Administrative Review
Public Administration and Development
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