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The University of Texas at Austin

Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs

Fall 2005 Course Description

Policy Research Project

Section Title: Empowering Youth through Community Collaboration - A Program Evaluation
Instructor(s): Debra Haas
Course: P A 682A - Policy Research Project
Unique Number: 63932
Day & Time: Tuesdays, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Room: SRH 3.103
Waitlist Information:For LBJ Students: UT Waitlist Information
For Non LBJ Students: LBJ School Waitlist Instructions

This course fulfills requirements for the following specialization(s):

  • Nonprofit and Philanthropic Studies
  • Urban and State Affairs

Description: YouthLaunch, an Austin-based youth empowerment organization works to establish collaborative relationships with selected school districts and community organizations to build, support, and enhance programs that give young people the opportunity to engage in service.

This PRP will address the primary research question ?

?How does YouthLaunch demonstrate to other organizations (including current collaborators, potential collaborators and financial sponsors) that working with them to create youth empowerment opportunities will benefit the partner organization??

The YouthLaunch collaboration projects with Big Brothers Big Sisters organizations in four cities will serve as the case study for the project.

Course Content:

Students will work with staff from Youth Launch, individually and in groups, to develop a program evaluation based on both quantitative and qualitative analyses. Examples of the kinds of questions that will be posed to the class include:

Quantitative measures:



Qualitative measures:

Student Work Products and Grades:

Student grades will be based on the quality of the work products as well as class attendance and participation.

Because of the nature of the course, attendance will be required and class participation will be essential to a successful outcome for all students

Student grades will be based on the quality of individual and collaborative work products. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the course grade will be based on work products.

Return to Fall 2005 Course Schedule