Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Arts Advocacy and Cultural Policy (Face-to-Face)

AA 6040-01

Course: AA 6040-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Theatre, Dance, & Arts Admin
CRN: 33697

Course Description

Students will develop an understanding of arts advocacy and cultural policy at multiple levels, developing strategies to engage with civic, business, state, and federal agencies on behalf of the arts. Students will become empowered advocates for the arts through readings, case studies, discussions, professional practice, and critical analysis of both national and international cultural policy.

Required Texts

Understanding Cultural Policy: Government and the Arts and Culture in the United States by Carole Rosenstein https://www.routledge.com/Understanding-Cultural-Policy-Government-and-the-Arts-and-Culture-in-t/Rosenstein/p/book/9781032392264

The Democracy Owners' Manual : A Practical Guide to Changing the World, Shultz, Jim, 2002. https://research-ebsco-com.proxy.li.suu.edu:2443/linkprocessor/plink?id=99c6620a-d865-3207-a85b-64e31e159c20

Politics is for Power: How to Move Beyond Political Hobbyism, Take Action, and Make Real Change by Eitan Hersh, 2020. https://a.co/d/0d8swCB6

Learning Outcomes

AA-6040 has 4 Learning Outcomes that build upon the Learning Outcomes of the Arts Administration Program and College of Performing & Visual Arts, and well as the Mission and Essential Learning Outcomes of Southern Utah University. Students will:

  • Understand the history and current state of Cultural Policy in the United States.
  • Develop creative strategies to engage with civic, business, state, and federal agencies on behalf of the arts.
  • Become empowered advocates for the arts through readings, case studies, discussions, professional practice, and critical analysis of domestic and international policy.
  • Apply theory directly into practice through the creation, execution, and evaluation of a local or state advocacy initiative.

Course Requirements

Class work is broken down into four areas: Contribution, Advocacy Plan, International Cultural Policy Presentation, and the US City Policy Presentation.

Contribution [30%]: Students are expected to start each week prepared and to actively contribute. Questions and prompts can be found in Canvas Discussions, and are primarily focused on readings and assignments, but are not limited to such. 

Class discussions should be an organic, collaborative, and insightful process. Remember, participation is not necessarily about having the right answers. It is simply allowing for critical thinking, trying out new ideas and positions, and helping others consider all sides of an issue. Divergent beliefs and world-views may be shared; respect for those differences is to be maintained. Students are expected to use appropriate terms and language within all discussions and work.

International Cultural Policy Presentation [20%]: Students are required to upload a presentation on the arts and culture policy of a country other than the United States.

US City Cultural Policy Presentation [30%]: Students are required to upload a presentation on the arts and culture policy of a city in the United States.

Advocacy Plan [20%]: Students will write an Advocacy Plan in several steps throughout the semester. The final product will be a revision and compilation of the individual assignments.

A = 94-100%B- = 80-83%
A- = 90-93%C+ = 77-79%
B+ = 87-89%C = 74-76%
B = 84-86%F = 73-0%

Course Outline

Week 1: History and Overview of Policy and Political Thought Part One 
Week 2: History and Overview of Policy and Political Thought, Part Two. 
Week 3: Cultural Bureaucracy 
Week 4: Cultural Regulation and Provision. 
Week 5: cultural research and analysis. 
Week 6: International Cultural Policy 
Week 7: Cultural Policy Issues 
Weeks 8 and 9: Cultural policy presentations 
Week 10: Advocacy Overview 
Week 11: Advocacy research 
Week 12: Advocacy storytelling 
Week 13: Lobbying 
Week 14: Advocacy Plan Check-in and City Presentations. 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

All assignments and readings are expected to be completed by the due date/time listed on Canvas. For assignments turned into the instructor, ten percent  [10%] may be deducted for each 24-hour period past the deadline. In the event of an emergency, students are required to obtain approval for a deadline extension before the due date of the assignment.

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to come to class prepared and to actively contribute to discussions. This means students are taking an active role in the course: engaging in the conversation and being respectful of the other students and the instructor.

Additional Course Policies and Statements

AA BELONGING STATEMENT: It is the belief of the Arts Administration Program that a sense of belonging is essential to success in an educational environment. The perspectives, ideas, values, and experiences of any and all student populations are a strength and benefit to this program. It is our intent to present materials and activities that are respectful of our differences, including (but not limited to) gender identity, sexuality, disability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, nationality, religion, and culture. Please, let us know if you have any suggestions to improve this effort. Additionally:
  • If your name and/or pronouns are different than what is listed on the class roll, please let us know in whatever mode you feel comfortable so we can address you in the proper way.
  • If you feel your performance in class is being impacted by experiences (personal or professional) outside of class, please don’t hesitate to come and talk with us. We want to be a resource for you.
  • We (like everyone) are still learning about multiple perspectives, identities, and cultures. If something is said in class (by the instructor or anyone else) that makes you feel uncomfortable, please talk to the instructor about it, so we all can learn to do better.

AA MISSION STATEMENT: The Arts Administration Program develops graduates who balance administrative systems with creative process in an effort to ensure the artistic integrity and economic sustainability of arts organizations. [www.suu.edu/pva/aa]

Arts Administration Program Policy on AI use

AA ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE POLICY:  AA Artificial Intelligence Policy: Use of AI (artificial intelligence) programs is allowed in Arts Administration courses within the parameters outlined below:

  • This course uses Copyleaks, an electronic service that verifies the originality of student work. Enrollment in this course may require you to submit some or all of your assignments to it this semester, and documents submitted to Copyleaks are retained, anonymously, in their databases. Continued enrollment in this course constitutes an understanding of and agreement with this policy. Refer to SUU Policy 6.33 for information about Academic Misconduct."

  • AI may be used in written assignments submitted directly to the instructor. Remember, AI cannot do all your writing for you. It can, however, be a tool for you to use if you can harness and proficiently utilize this technology ethically and responsibly. For example, using AI to help organize your thoughts, create outlines, or to help proofread your papers is a perfectly acceptable application.
     
    • GRADING: The same minimum standards will be in place for each written assignment, no matter if you are using AI in your writing process or not. Assignments that fail to meet the minimum rubric requirements specified will be graded as such. Please note that many assignments in this program will ask for your personal analysis, opinion, experience, and may also ask you to incorporate in-class discussion elements. AI cannot do any of those things effectively. As a result, choosing to use AI may ultimately not be the most efficient use of your time, so you should always carefully consider whether or not you want to use it.
 
  • ACCURACY: AI is prone to writing factually incorrect statements, inventing fake quotes from real sources, and inventing entirely fake sources. It is your responsibility to double-check that any AI-assisted work you submit is free from these errors, verifying information before submitting it. Work containing factual errors or fictitious quotes/sources will be graded accordingly.
 
  • CITATIONS: If you use AI in your writing, it must be cited. As there is no penalty for using AI appropriately, so there is no benefit to lying about or trying to conceal your use of AI in this class. Concealing or lying about your use of AI is akin to plagiarism and will result in your assignment receiving a zero. 

  • AI may NOT be used in activities that require direct personal participation or presentation. AI may be used to brainstorm or proofread, provided the final participation or presentation itself is created and delivered by the student.
      
    • DISCUSSION FORUMS: These forums are conversations between you, your classmates, and the instructor. As such, we expect you to come to these discussion forums as your authentic self.
 
  • PRESENTATIONS: Presentations are intended to reflect the student’s own voice, presence, and engagement with the material. Students may not use AI to generate or deliver presentations on their behalf. This includes, but is not limited to, AI-generated voices or AI-produced video content. 

Student Responsibilities


Classroom Climate: This class is intended to test higher-level cognitive abilities. You are expected to be active in your learning and think, question, problem-solve, and debate information presented in class. The instructor will do their best to create an environment in which expressions of uncertainty, conjecture, and alternative and competing views can be freely shared. The same is expected of students. Remember, there is a big difference between debating an argument and attacking an individual. The latter will not be tolerated and the instructor reserves the right to excuse from discussions any student who compromises this preferred class climate.
Students are expected to model good Expedition Behavior (NOLS, 1996) in all class activities:
  • Serve the mission and goals of the group
  • Be as concerned for others as you are for yourself
  • Treat everyone with dignity and respect
  • Support leadership and growth in everyone
  • Respect the cultures, experiences, and perspectives you encounter in all class activities
  • Be kind and open-hearted
  • Do your share and stay organized
  • Help others, but don’t routinely do their work
  • Model integrity by being honest and accountable
  • Admit and correct your mistakes
As we navigate unscripted challenges, please be willing to be flexible and extend grace and kindness—to the instructor, to classmates, and to yourself. We are all doing our best.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.