Political Science (POLI) 400
Governance and Leadership (Revision 3)

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Delivery Mode: Individualized study online
Credits: 3
Area of Study: Social Science
Prerequisite: None. A previous course in public management, public policy, administrative studies, or political science is recommended. This is a senior course and as such students are expected to have advanced analytical and writing skills.
Precluded Course: GOVN 400 and HSRV 400. (POLI 400 is a cross-listed course—a course listed under 3 different disciplines— GOVN 400 and HSRV 400. POLI 400 may not be taken for credit by students who have obtained credit for POLI 400, HSRV 400 or GOVN 500.)
Faculty: Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences
Governance, Law & Management Home Page
GOVN 400 has a Challenge for Credit option.
Challenge evaluation.
Overview
Governance 400 / Political Science 400 / Human Services 400: Governance and Leadership provides an overview and theoretical understanding of the common elements and differences that shape leadership in the public, voluntary, and private sectors and the implications of these similarities and differences for the interaction among the three sectors on public policy issues. This course deals with a paradigm shift in our knowledge and thinking about leadership, approaching it from the perspective of the individual, defining core values, competencies, behaviours, and methods of leadership development.
Key themes and topics include:
- leadership in the twenty-first century; the commonality of roles, vision, and values
- different types and styles of leadership
- personal leadership development
- governance structures and how they shape the role and expectations of leadership
- how to lead the change from the old control based model of leadership to ones that are values and influence-based
- the new and emerging challenges of leadership
- the intersectionality of leadership across the various sectors
- the forces that shape leaders
- the preparation of leaders to anticipate and lead change
- the role of leadership in shaping public policy and the implications across all sectors
Course Objectives
When they have completed this course, students should be able to:
- understand and critically analyze the new and emerging paradigm of leadership and practice
- discuss the role of key external forces, sectors and institutions that shape the development of leaders and leadership in the twenty-first century
- reflect and articulate your own personal leadership development
- understand the concept of governance and analyze the shifting paradigm
- analyze the influence of individuals and groups of citizens as leaders across the various sectors through interest groups and social movements
- analyze and evaluate how leadership across the various governance models influence and inform relationships, communications, and interactions
- analyze the implications, challenges, and opportunities for leadership in view of the changing external factors
Student Evaluation
Course Activity | Weighting |
---|---|
Assignment 1: Values Paper | 10% |
Assignment 2: Research Paper Proposal | 10% |
Assignment 3: Research Paper | 30% |
Assignment 4: Reflective Paper | 10% |
Final Exam | 40% |
Total | 100% |
The final examination for this course must be taken online with an AU approved exam invigilator at an approved invigilation centre. It is your responsibility to ensure your chosen invigilation centre can accommodate online exams. For a list of invigilators who can accommodate online exams, visit the Exam Invigilation Network.
To receive credit for this course, you must complete the four written assignments and the final exam and achieve a composite course grade of at least 50 per cent.
Course Materials
The course is taught with a combination of online resources and academic support. All material is found online or in the course itself.
Challenge for Credit Course Overview
The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.
Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures
Challenge Evaluation
To receive credit for the POLI 400 challenge registration, you must complete all required components, and achieve an overall grade of at least “D” (50 percent).
Written Assignment 1 | Written Assignment 2 | Exam | Total |
---|---|---|---|
15% | 15% | 70% | 100% |
Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.
Opened in Revision 3, June 9, 2017.
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Updated September 28 2017 by SAS