Wikipedia:WikiProject United States Public Policy/Courses/Spring 2011/Transnational NGOs in World Affairs (George Mitchell)

Course description
This course explores the role of transnational nongovernmental organizations (TNGOs) in world affairs. TNGOs are deeply involved in many aspects of global governance, including humanitarian relief and development, human rights activism and environmental advocacy. However, while scholars increasingly acknowledge the significance of TNGOs in the international system, disagreement persists over the nature of TNGO influence. Some assert that TNGOs are agents of change that use norms and ideas to transform world politics on behalf of global civil society. Others claim that TNGOs are essentially subcontractors advancing the interests of states and corporations. These competing interpretations pose an important puzzle for international relations theory. Does the growing power and influence of TNGOs presage global transformation or further entrenchment of the status quo?

We will begin to address this question by examining several case studies that illustrate the strategies and activities TNGOs employ to advance their missions. We will then cultivate a deeper theoretical understanding of TNGOs by surveying scholarship in international relations. The final sections of the course examine TNGO legitimacy, accountability and effectiveness.

Students will be introduced to contemporary practitioner perspectives through the Transnational NGO Initiative's Interview Series and will participate in the Wikimedia Foundation's Public Policy Initiative to improve Wikipedia articles pertaining to TNGOs and US public policy.

Assignment overview
This describes the assignment. It is intended for both students and Wikipedians, to explain in broad strokes what the students will be doing on Wikipedia, and what related assignment activities will happen outside of Wikipedia.

Schedule
The table below will replace the illustrative outline.

Students
This is a list of students and their articles, which students will sign up for at the appropriate time. {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Name !! Article focus !! Mentor
 * || National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons and Evidence-based policy || TBD
 * || World Vision || Elekhh
 * || Rights-based approach to development || TonyTheTiger
 * || Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers Pavee Point ||
 * || UN Foundation and Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act || TBD
 * || Save the Children and Declaration of the Rights of the Child|| TBD
 * || primary education, She's the First || Visionholder
 * || World Social Forum and US Social Forum ||
 * || Onondaga Lake || Elekhh
 * || United States and the International Criminal Court, International Criminal Court || User:Cullen328
 * || Rights-based approach to development and related NGOs || TonyTheTiger
 * || Capacity Building, African Development Foundation, USAID, NGO || ktlynch
 * || Primary Education, Children International || Kudpung
 * || ActionAid, United States Agency for International Development|| Sodabottle
 * || National Alliance to End Homelessness and Homelessness in the United States|| TBD
 * || CARE (relief agency), USAID || TBD
 * || Education NGOs || TBD
 * || Chad-Cameroon Petroleum Development and Pipeline Project, Energy Task Force || Rosiestep
 * || Grameen Foundation || TBD
 * || UNICEF Tap Project || TBD
 * || Center for Economic and Social Rights || TBD
 * || TBD || TBD
 * || Fund for Peace || TBD
 * || Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, Teach For America, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs || TBD
 * || Sudan || TBD
 * || Wildlife conservation || TBD
 * || ActionAid, United States Agency for International Development|| Sodabottle
 * || National Alliance to End Homelessness and Homelessness in the United States|| TBD
 * || CARE (relief agency), USAID || TBD
 * || Education NGOs || TBD
 * || Chad-Cameroon Petroleum Development and Pipeline Project, Energy Task Force || Rosiestep
 * || Grameen Foundation || TBD
 * || UNICEF Tap Project || TBD
 * || Center for Economic and Social Rights || TBD
 * || TBD || TBD
 * || Fund for Peace || TBD
 * || Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, Teach For America, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs || TBD
 * || Sudan || TBD
 * || Wildlife conservation || TBD
 * || UNICEF Tap Project || TBD
 * || Center for Economic and Social Rights || TBD
 * || TBD || TBD
 * || Fund for Peace || TBD
 * || Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, Teach For America, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs || TBD
 * || Sudan || TBD
 * || Wildlife conservation || TBD
 * || Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, Teach For America, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs || TBD
 * || Sudan || TBD
 * || Wildlife conservation || TBD
 * || Sudan || TBD
 * || Wildlife conservation || TBD
 * || Wildlife conservation || TBD