Abstract:
The materials in this course are designed to help students understand how lobbying and advocacy impact the making of public policy. In doing so students will explore the power of persuasion, as well as the skills necessary to build an effective advocacy campaign. As part of the course, students will also investigate the ethics and regulation associated with lobbying. The course concludes by looking at the future of lobbying. The focus of the course is the United States, where lobbying is professionalized and transparent. Nevertheless, it briefly covers how lobbying is used in other geographies.
This course includes three distinct elements, which can be used together or individually:
1. Video lectures which explain the theory, tools, and practice of lobbying.
2. Podcasts with practitioners who illustrate how the concepts described in the video lectures are applied in the real world. Bonus: video guidance on how to craft a compelling op-ed.
3. Simulation exercises on lobbying challenges to reinforce learning.
They bring together the theory and practice of lobbying to help students gain a deeper understanding of this important function.
To purchase the materials individually, see HKS 2226.0 video lectures, podcasts, and simulations.
Learning Objective:
The learning objectives of this course are the following:
1. Understand how lobbying and advocacy impact policy making.
2. Explore the historical context for the development of lobbying and advocacy in the US and around the globe.
3. Learn the regulatory environment that surrounds lobbying and advocacy.
4. Develop an effective lobbying and advocacy strategy/campaign.
