School of Planning, Public Policy and Management Courses

Undergraduate Courses | Graduate Courses

Below is a listing of historically offered courses in the School of Planning, Public Policy and Management. If a syllabus for a previous term or year is desired, please email pppm@uoregon.edu for a PDF copy.

For a list of course offerings for the current term, please see the UO Class Schedule.

Current Courses: 2022–23 Catalog


Undergraduate Courses

PPPM 201 Introduction to Public Policy

4 Credits

Overview of professional public service and the planning and management of public issues. Focuses on the goals of public services within their economic, social, and political contexts.


PPPM 202 Healthy Communities

4 Credits

Historical relationships of public policy, planning, and public health; how public policies can promote health; relationship of planning and policies to inequalities in health outcomes.


PPPM 205 Introduction to City Planning

4 Credits

Introduction to planning, using urban issues as lenses to explore transportation, housing, environment, and social equity as critical elements shaping where and how people live.


PPPM 280 Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector

4 Credits

Overview of the nonprofit sector includes its origin, growth, oversight, and varied elements. Examines theory and research into the effectiveness of nonprofit strategies and structures.


PPPM 325 Community Leadership and Change

4 Credits

Explores sustainable change at the community level by examining local systems and institutions: transportation, social influences, environment, housing, and the economy.


PPPM 327 Global Leadership and Change

4 Credits

Explores the role of leadership in global social, economic, and ecological sustainability. Considers population, consumption, technology, diversity, scale, nonviolent change, and community.


PPPM 331 Environmental Management

4 Credits

Introduction to environmental management. Focuses on solutions to problems in managing population, pollution, and resources.


PPPM 340 Climate-Change Policy

4 Credits

Overview of climate-change policy; topics include cap and trade, carbon tax, fuel efficiency standards, biofuel standards, and renewable portfolio standards.


PPPM 401 Research

1-21 Credits

Repeatable.


PPPM 403 Thesis

1-12 Credits

Repeatable.


PPPM 404 Internship

1-12 Credits

Supervised work experience that offers students opportunities to explore and clarify career goals, apply academic learning, enhance and learn new skills, gain experience, and network with professionals. Repeatable. Prereq: PPPM 412.


PPPM 405 Reading and Conference

1-21 Credits

Repeatable.


PPPM 406 Special Problems

1-21 Credits

Repeatable.


PPPM 407 Seminar

1-5 Credits

Repeatable. Offerings vary and reflect the interests of faculty members. Courses recently taught under this heading include:

  • International Sustainability. 4 Credits.
  • Sustainable Transportation. 4 Credits.
  • Hazard Mitigation Planning. 4 Credits.
  • Volunteer Resource Management. 2 Credits.
  • Nonprofit Financial Management. 4 Credits.
  • Nonprofit Legal Issues. 4 Credits.
  • Public Sector Leadership. 2 Credits.
  • Strategic Communications. 4 Credits.
  • Design in SketchUP. 2 Credits.
  • Inequality Policy Solutions. 2 Credits.
  • Policy Simulation. 2 Credits.
  • Public Health. 4 Credits.

PPPM 408 Workshop

1-21 Credits

Repeatable. Offerings vary and reflect the interests of faculty members. Courses recently taught under this heading include:

  • Advanced Geographic Information Systems. 4 Credits.
  • Environmental Impact Assessment. 4 Credits.

PPPM 410 Experimental Course

1-5 Credits

Repeatable. Offerings vary and reflect the interests of faculty members. Courses recently taught under this heading include:

  • Impact Philanthropy: 4 Credits
  • Real World- Eugene: 4 Credits

PPPM 412 Internship and Professional Development

1 Credit

Introduction to PPPM’s internship program and career development. Includes overview of professionalism and effective communication, resume and cover letter writing, and interviewing and networking skills.


PPPM 413 Quantitative Methods

4 Credits

Introduction to the use of quantitative techniques to answer planning, public policy and management related questions.


PPPM 415 Policy and Planning Analysis

4 Credits

Applied problem-solving in the public policy and planning process. Examines the theoretical and methodological underpinnings of policy and planning analysis. Prereq: EC 201.


PPPM 418 Introduction to Public Law

4 Credits

Administrative law, including introduction to legal research, for public administrators. Administrative procedures, implementation of policy through administrative law, judicial review, and practical applications in public agencies.


PPPM 422 Grant Proposal Writing

1 Credit

Introduction to the process of preparing grant applications and material for funded research.


PPPM 425 Project Management

4 Credits

Application of specific techniques that lead to projects being completed on time, within budget, and with appropriate quality.


PPPM 426 Strategic Planning for Management

4 Credits

Process of strategic planning for communities, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.


PPPM 432 Justice and Urban Revitalization

4 Credits

Examines the political, economic, institutional and social forces that affect the long-term vitality of cities and communities and how those factors relate to community redevelopment. Emphasis is given on how to revitalize low-income multicultural communities.


PPPM 434 Urban Geographic Information Systems

4 Credits

Introduction to geographic information systems in areas of environmental, demographic, suitability, and transportation-related research.


PPPM 438 Transportation Issues in Planning

4 Credits

Introduction to the social implications of various transportation-related policies and practices. Repeatable for a maximum of 8 credits.


PPPM 440 Land-Use Policy

4 Credits

Planning in urban, rural, and connecting environments. Functions, distribution, relationships of land uses; social, economic, fiscal, physical consequences of alternative land use development patterns.


PPPM 442 Sustainable Urban Development

4 Credits

Introduces issues revolving around cities as the nexus for environmental challenges, including land-use planning, transportation planning, community and neighborhood design, and green buildings.


PPPM 443 Natural Resource Policy

4 Credits

Aspects of population and resource systems. Poses questions about population trends, policy, and optimum size; analyzes methods for determining resource availability and flows.


PPPM 444 Environmental Policy

4 Credits

Overview of policies related to the environment: examines the design and effectiveness of specific policies.


PPPM 445 Green Cities

4 Credits

Examines the history and future of the interface between urban growth and environmental concerns, and the technological, social, and political forces that continue to shape it.


PPPM 446 Socioeconomic Development Planning

4 Credits

Planning for responsible economic and social development. Policy problems and issues in providing a stable economic base and social and economic well-being while avoiding environmental degradation.


PPPM 448 Collaborative Planning and Management

4 Credits

Explores theory and practice of collaboration. Presents a variety of collaboration settings with a focus on environmental and natural resource management.


PPPM 452 Public Participation in Diverse Communities

4 Credits

Review of community engagement strategies and tools for encouraging public participation in low income and ethnically diverse communities. Prereq: PPPM 432.


PPPM 460 Health Policy

4 Credits

Introduction to the key health policy issues of access, cost, quality, and racial and ethnic disparities.


PPPM 465 Program Evaluation

4 Credits

Introduction to the design and implementation of program evaluations.


PPPM 480 Nonprofit Management I

4 Credits

How to manage nonprofit organizations for superior performance in a humane, responsive, and responsible manner. Distinctive characteristics of nonprofit organizations. Prereq: PPPM 280.


PPPM 481 Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations

4 Credits

Introduction to fundraising for nonprofit organizations. Annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, and campaigns.


PPPM 484 Public and Nonprofit Financial Management

4 Credits

Introduction to financial management for public agencies and nonprofit organizations. Topics include budget processes, financial statements, financial resource management (taxes, donations, grants), expenditure systems, and capital project analysis.


PPPM 486 Philanthropy and Grant Making

2 Credits

History, economics, and practice of philanthropy and grant making in the United States. Students study philanthropy from a multidisciplinary perspective and finish the quarter by awarding a $15,000 grant to a nonprofit organization of their choice.


PPPM 494 Practice of Leadership and Change

4 Credits

Examines the principles and practices of leadership and change in communities and organizations through discussions with community leaders and personal reflection. Prereq: major status, senior standing preferred.


Graduate Courses

PPPM 503 Thesis

1-16 Credits

Repeatable.


PPPM 507 Seminar

1-5 Credits

Repeatable. Offerings vary and reflect the interests of faculty members. Courses recently taught under this heading include:

  • International Sustainability. 4 Credits.
  • Sustainable Transportation. 4 Credits.
  • Hazard Mitigation Planning. 4 Credits.
  • Volunteer Resource Management. 2 Credits.
  • Nonprofit Financial Management. 4 Credits.
  • Nonprofit Legal Issues. 4 Credits.
  • Public Sector Leadership. 2 Credits.
  • Strategic Communications. 4 Credits.
  • Design in SketchUP. 2 Credits.
  • Inequality Policy Solutions. 2 Credits.
  • Policy Simulation. 2 Credits.
  • Public Health. 4 Credits.

PPPM 508 Workshop

1-21 Credits

Repeatable. Offerings vary and reflect the interests of faculty members. Courses recently taught under this heading include:

  • Environmental Impact Assessment. 4 Credits.
  • Advanced Geographic Information Systems. 4 Credits.

PPPM 510 Experimental Course

1-5 Credits

Repeatable. Offerings vary and reflect the interests of faculty members. Courses recently taught under this heading include:

  • Philanthropy. 4 Credits.
  • Real World- Eugene. 4 Credits.

PPPM 518 Introduction to Public Law

4 Credits

Administrative law, including introduction to legal research, for public administrators. Administrative procedures, implementation of policy through administrative law, judicial review, and practical applications in public agencies.


PPPM 522 Grant Proposal Writing

1 Credit

Introduction to the process of preparing grant applications and material for funded research.


PPPM 525 Project Management

4 Credits

Application of specific techniques that lead to projects being completed on time, within budget, and with appropriate quality.


PPPM 526 Strategic Planning for Management

4 Credits

Process of strategic planning for communities, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.


PPPM 532 Justice and Urban Revitalization

4 Credits

Examines the political, economic, institutional and social forces that affect the long-term vitality of cities and communities and how those factors relate to community redevelopment. Emphasis is given on how to revitalize low-income multicultural communities.


PPPM 534 Urban Geographic Information Systems

4 Credits

Introduction to geographic information systems in areas of environmental, demographic, suitability, and transportation-related research.


PPPM 538 Transportation Issues in Planning

4 Credits

Introduction to the social implications of various transportation-related policies and practices. Repeatable for a maximum of 8 credits.


PPPM 542 Sustainable Urban Development

4 Credits

Introduces issues evolving around cities as the nexus for environmental challenges, including land-use planning, transportation planning, community and neighborhood design, and green buildings.


PPPM 543 Natural Resource Policy

4 Credits

Aspects of population and resource systems. Poses questions about population trends, policy, and optimum size; analyzes methods for determining resource availability and flows.


PPPM 544 Environmental Policy

4 Credits

Overview of policies related to the environment: examines the design and effectiveness of specific policies.


PPPM 546 Socioeconomic Development Planning

4 Credits

Planning for responsible economic and social development. Policy problems and issues in providing a stable economic base and social and economic well-being while avoiding environmental degradation.


PPPM 548 Collaborative Planning and Management

4 Credits

Explores theory and practice of collaboration. Presents a variety of collaboration settings with a focus on environmental and natural resource management.


PPPM 552 Public Participation in Diverse Communities

4 Credits

Review of community engagement strategies and tools for encouraging public participation in low income and ethnically diverse communities. Prereq: PPPM 532.


PPPM 560 Health Policy

4 Credits

Introduction to the key health policy issues of access, cost, quality, and racial and ethnic disparities.


PPPM 565 Program Evaluation

4 Credits

Introduction to the design and implementation of program evaluations.


PPPM 581 Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations

4 Credits

Introduction to fundraising for nonprofit organizations. Annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, and campaigns.


PPPM 586 Philanthropy and Grant Making

2 Credits

History, economics, and practice of philanthropy and grant making in the United States. Students study philanthropy from a multidisciplinary perspective and finish the quarter by awarding a $15,000 grant to a nonprofit organization of their choice.


PPPM 601 Research

1-16 Credits

Repeatable.


PPPM 604 Internship

1-10 Credits

Supervised work experience that offers students opportunities to explore and clarify career goals, apply academic learning, enhance and learn new skills, gain experience, and network with professionals. Repeatable.


PPPM 605 Reading and Conference

1-16 Credits

Repeatable.


PPPM 606 Special Problems

1-16 Credits

Repeatable.


PPPM 607 Seminar

1-5 Credits

Repeatable. Offerings vary and reflect the interests of faculty members. Courses recently taught under this heading include:

  • Persuasive Writing Toolbox. 2 Credits.

PPPM 608 Workshop

1-16 Credits

Repeatable. Offerings vary and reflect the interests of faculty members. Courses recently taught under this heading include:

  • Community Planning.

PPPM 609 Terminal Project

1-16 Credits

Repeatable.


PPPM 610 Experimental Course

1-5 Credits

Repeatable.


PPPM 610 Research Design

2 Credits


PPPM 610 Professional Project Colloquium

2 Credits


PPPM 610 Research Skills

2 Credits


PPPM 610 Growth Management

4 Credits

Examines motivations for managing growth. Surveys regulatory and incentive-based approaches to growth management at the state, regional, and local level.


PPPM 610 Land Use Policy

4 Credits

Planning in urban, rural, and connecting environments. Functions, distribution, relationships of land uses; social, economic, fiscal, physical consequences of alternative land use development patterns.


PPPM 610 Social Enterprise

4 Credits


PPPM 611 Introduction to Planning Practice

4 Credits

Explores the concepts and functions of the planning process as they relate to the social, economic, political, and environmental aspects of communities and regions.


PPPM 612 Legal Issues in Planning

4 Credits

Federal and state legal relationships, the role of the courts in reviewing public sector decision-making, sources of the law, issues in land-use regulation, and basic legal research skills.


PPPM 613 Planning Analysis I

5 Credits

Data sources and methods of data collection including surveys; descriptive and multivariate analysis; computer applications; selected analytic models, population projections, cost-benefit analysis.


PPPM 616 Planning Theory and Ethics

4 Credits

Logic of the planning process; the relationship of planning to the political process and to rational decision making in governance.


PPPM 617 Human Settlements

4 Credits

Historical development of cities and the ways in which city and regional contexts influence economic, social, and political processes.


PPPM 618 Public Sector Theory

4 Credits

Overview of the core concepts, theories, and practices that provide the foundation for the field of public policy and management.


PPPM 623 Professional Development

1 Credit

Articulating preliminary career goals and mapping the necessary steps to accomplish these goals.


PPPM 625 Community Planning Workshop

5 Credits

First in a two-term sequence of planning and problem-solving courses. Students working in teams conduct research and develop solutions to planning problems for a client community. Sequence with PPPM 626.


PPPM 626 Community Planning Workshop

5 Credits

Last in a two-term sequence of planning and problem-solving courses. Students working in teams conduct research and develop solutions to planning problems for a client community. Sequence with PPPM 625. Prereq: PPPM 625.


PPPM 628 Public Sector Economics

4 Credits

Reasons for governmental intervention and analysis of revenue sources available to governments. Includes discussion of various taxes, intergovernmental transfer policies, and user fees.


PPPM 629 Public Budget Administration

4 Credits

Resource allocation through the budget process. Analysis of budget systems, service costing, and citizen participation in the budget process.


PPPM 633 Public Management

4 Credits

Theory and practice of public service management; leadership and organizational capacity building, including key management activities for developing effective public service organizations.


PPPM 636 Public Policy Analysis

4 Credits

Techniques in the policymaking process. Determining the impact of policies, comparing alternatives, determining the likelihood that a policy will be adopted and effectively implemented. Prereq: PPPM 628 or equivalent.


PPPM 637 MPA Policy Analysis Project

1 Credit

Students team to produce a professionally oriented policy analysis memorandum and presentation on an assigned topic in a 48-hour period. Prereq: PPPM 636.


PPPM 638 MPA Capstone Applied Research Project I

5 Credits

Team prepare applied research projects for client organizations using analytical and managerial skills to solve problems in public policy analysis or public management. Sequence with PPPM 639. Prereq: PPPM 618, 629, 633, 636, 657, 684.


PPPM 639 MPA Capstone Applied Research Project II

5 Credits

Teams prepare applied research projects for client organizations using analytical and management skills to solve problems in public policy analysis or public management. Sequence with PPPM 638. Prereq: PPPM 638.


PPPM 656 Quantitative Methods

5 Credits

Develops skills in quantitative analysis. Emphasizes selecting appropriate analysis procedures and properly interpreting and reporting results.


PPPM 657 Research Methods in Public Policy and Management

4 Credits

Survey of research methods used in the analysis of public policy issues. Emphasis is on determining the appropriate methodology for a given research question. Prereq: PPPM 656.


PPPM 680 Managing Nonprofit Organizations

4 Credits

Principles of effective management of nonprofit organizations. Governance, strategy, legal structure and standards, and volunteer administration.


PPPM 684 Public and Nonprofit Financial Management

4 Credits

Financial management overview for public agencies and nonprofits, including budget processes, financial statements, resource management, expenditure systems, capital project analysis, and internal management control processes.


PPPM 685 Social Enterprise

4 Credits

Introduction to social enterprises and their ecosystem. Earned revenue and social business models, social performance management, balancing financial and social objectives, funding landscape, policy environment, and taking social enterprises to scale.


PPPM 686 Nonprofit 48-hour Charrette

1 Credit

Requires students to complete a management memo on an assigned topic. Work is completed within a 48-hour period, mimicking the high-stakes, deadline-intensive schedule characterizing professional work in the nonprofit sector.


PPPM 687 Nonprofit Board Governance

1 Credit

Students serve on governing boards of nonprofit organizations for one year: fall, winter, and spring terms.


PPPM 688 Nonprofit Consultancy

4 Credits

Student teams complete projects for nonprofit organizations, assessing organizational needs and capacity, evaluating alternative strategies, and recommending solutions for organizational success.