Philanthropy is fast becoming a vibrant topic of interdisciplinary scholarship across several disciplines and fields that include political science, sociology (social movement studies), third sector studies, and public affairs. This course focuses on a specialized area within the broader field of philanthropic studies that seeks to address what Rittel and Webberbe (1973) referred to as wicked problems: intractable, vexing social problems that are “unstructured, cross-cutting, and relentless” (Weber and Khademiam, 2008). Examples are plentiful in the U.S. and around the world: homelessness, poverty, public health, food insecurity, urban renewal, educational equity, environmental protection, and systemic/structural racism and sexism.

Guided by the principle of “change, not charity”, and often hidden from view for a number of reasons, the area of philanthropic theory and practice that is the focus of this course has a transformational agenda. It seeks to create a more equitable distribution of power in society, including in the nonprofit sector, thus eliminating the need for ongoing charity focused on the consequences rather than the root causes of many wicked problems.


Guided by the principle of “change, not charity”, and often hidden from view for a number of reasons, the area of philanthropic theory and practice that is the focus of this course has a transformational agenda. It seeks to create a more equitable distribution of power in society, thus eliminating the need for ongoing charity focused on the consequences rather than the root causes of many wicked problems.