None; however, a previous course in political science, public policy, or public administration/management is recommended. This is a senior course and as such students are expected to have advanced analytical and writing skills.
Precluded:
POLI 301. GOVN 301 is a cross-listed course—a course listed under 2 different disciplines—with POLI 301. (GOVN 301 may not be taken for credit by students who have obtained credit for POLI 301).
GOVN 301: Governance, the Public Sector and Corporate Power explores the changing relationships between business, society, and government in contemporary Canada. It examines the changing patterns of governance; the position of corporate Canada in society's power structure; the phenomenon of globalization and the international extension of business power; the role of the mass media in shaping culture and dominant ideas within society; the restructuring of economic and social policy; constitutional change; the marketization of the state; the transformation of citizens into customers; and the increased threat to social cohesion. Finally, it considers the future of the public sector in Canada.
Outline
The course consists of the following eight units.
Unit 1: Introduction to Changing Patterns of Governance: Exploring the Course Themes
Unit 2: The Business-Government-Society Relationship
Unit 3: Free Trade, Globalization, and the Canadian State
Unit 4: Regulation, De-Regulation, and State Restructuring
Unit 5: Technology, the Media, and Democratic Governance in the Twenty-First Century
Unit 6: Public Sector Reform: The New Public Management and the Privatization of Social Responsibility
Unit 7: Civic Society, Partnerships, and the Voluntary Sector
Unit 8: Governance in a Global Era: Crisis Management and Social Cohesion in Canada
Evaluation
To receive credit for GOVN 301, you must complete all of the assignments, achieve a mark of at least 50 per cent on the final examination, and obtain a course composite grade of at least D (50 percent). The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
Activity
Weight
Paper 1
10%
Midterm Test
20%
Paper 2
30%
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 learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Materials
McBride, Stephen, and Heather Whiteside. 2011. Private Affluence, Public Austerity: Economic Crises & Malaise in Canada. Halifax, Winnipeg: Fernwood Publishing. (Print)
Other materials
All other materials are online, including study guides, and electronic readings and videos.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The Challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you 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 about Challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the GOVN 301 challenge registration, you must complete all required components, and achieve an overall grade of at least D (50 percent).
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, January 14, 2014
Updated July 15, 2021, by Student & Academic Services