Sylabus
Basic Information
Course title: Theories of Governance
Course number: JSM790
Semester: Summer 2023/2024
Teachers: Sokhna Rosalie Ndiaye, Ph.D.
Hours per week, examination: Once per week (80 minutes), written exam
Course format: Online
Volume of instruction: 2/1
Number of credits: 6 Credits (1 credit = 3 working hours)
Time and Place: Wednesday, 2Pm to 4:10 Pm, Online (Teams)
Moodle: https://dl1.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=13288
Contact: TheoriesofG@outlook.com
Consultations: Upon agreement
Course Description
This course delves into governance, exploring theoretical and practical dimensions to foster a comprehensive understanding. It aims to present governance in a simpler, more tangible manner through classical and modern theories. The course identifies core issues and dynamics in public governance, defining the concept in public administration and promoting critical thinking through interactive discussions based on predetermined scholarly literature.
Main Objectives:
This course aims to enhance students' comprehension of governance and its dimensions, introducing diverse governance theories and their applications across various policy settings and sectors. Upon completion, students will be able to:
· Recognize the significance of governance in public policy.
· Identify different forms of existing governance.
· Acquire knowledge about new considerations and theories of governance in public administration.
· Formulate a personal definition of governance based on explored literature and discussions.
· Apply various governance theories in policy analysis.
· Understand the challenges that unstable governance poses to the policy process.
Structure of lectures and seminars: This course will be an alternance between lectures and seminars. The lectures will introduce students to different theories of governance while the seminars will be discussions based on the practical application of these theories.
Evaluation
Table 1: Points are distributed in the following ways:
Activity
Points (up to)
Assignments - Short Reflection Paper (4 / 10 points each) 40
Class participation 20
Group presentation 20
Written examination 20
Extra credit (Class Presentation or short paper) 10
Total 110
Table 2: Final grading shall be based on the following formula:
Final point score
Grade 91 or more
A
Excellent 81-90
B
Very Good 71-80
C
Good 61-70
D
Satisfactory 51-60
E
Sufficient 50 or less
F
Fail
Assignments and final examination 1. Expect four (4) short written assignments of 500 words each. 2. The final exam will be in the format of 5 short answer questions for 2.5 points each (total 10) and one essay style question for 10 points. 3. Group presentation on the seminar topic. 4. Students have the option to deliver a voluntary class presentation or submit a short reflection paper on a topic of their choice for 10 points extra-credit.
Please note: All Sources shall be consistently credited in line with the latest version of the ISO 690 standard or another internationally accepted referencing standard (e.g. APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, Harvard). No form of plagiarism is tolerated at the Charles University. Any instances of plagiarism shall be discussed by the Disciplinary Board and, eventually, the Dean.
Course Schedule
Lecture 1
Understanding Governance:
· Introduction to the concept of governance
Lecture 2
Governance in Theory: Classical Theoretical Approaches
· Organization Theory
· Collective Action Theory
· Democratic Theory
· Development Theory
Assignment 1 due
Lecture 3
Governance in Theory: Novel Theoretical Approaches
· New Public Governance
· Evolutionary Governance Theory
Discussing 1st assignment
Seminar 1
Discussing the function of governance in the public policy process; differences in theoretical approaches to governance and their application in a public policy setting.
Discussing the use of governance as a way to explain the interactions of policy communities and networks.
Group 1 presentation
Lecture 4
Forms of Governance in the public policy setting: Classical Considerations
· Network Governance
· Collaborative Governance
· Regulatory Governance
Assignment 2 due
Lecture 5
Forms of Governance in the public policy setting: Novel Considerations
· Multi-level Governance
· Strategic Governance
· Adaptive Governance
Discussing 2nd assignment
Seminar 2
· Discussing the contextual application of previously discussed forms of application and how to determine their use and suitability.
Group 2 presentation
Lecture 6
Analysis models
· Normative Theory
· Narrative and Interpretive Theories
Assignment 3 due
Lecture 7
Analysis models Cont.
· Discourse Theory
· Institutional Theory
· Public Choice Theory
Discussing 3rd assignment
Seminar 3:
Discussing the analysis of governance mechanisms theoretically and practically. How to determine which method to apply when?
Group 3 presentation
Lecture 8
Reconciling Governance, Government and Public Institutions
Assignment 4 due
Seminar 4:
Discussion Governance as a tool for governments & governance as an asset for public institutions and public policy making.
Discussing final exam – what to expect.
Discussing 4th assignment
Group 4 presentation
FINAL EXAM
Course Materials
Required readings will be available on Moodle
Core reference readings:
Dror, Y. (2001) The Capacity to Govern. London: Frank Cass
Ansell, C. K., & Torfing, J. (2016). Handbook on theories of governance. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Pierre J, Peters GB (2000) Governance, politics and the state. St. Martin’s Press, New York
Recommended Readings:
Rhodes, R.A.W. (1997) Understanding governance: policy networks, governance, reflexivity and accountability (Public Policy & Management), Philadelphia, US. Open University,