Political Science (POLI) 400

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 21st 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

Outline

This course consists of the following 11 units:

Part 1: Leadership in the 21st Century

• Unit 1: Accepting the Challenge
• Unit 2: Leading the Way

Part 2: Governance—The Forum for Leadership

• Unit 3: Leadership in the Public Sector
• Unit 4: Leadership in the Private Sector
• Unit 5: Leadership in the Not-for-Profit Sector
• Unit 6: The Citizen Leader
• Unit 7: Board Leadership and Policy-Driven Governance

Part 3: The Forces That Influence Leadership

• Unit 8: Gender Issues
• Unit 9: Environmental Sustainability at the Global Level
• Unit 10: Environmental Sustainability at the Local Level
• Unit 11: Indigenous Perspective and Impact

Objectives

When you have completed this course, you 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 21st 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 influences and informs relationships, communications, and interactions
• analyze the implications, challenges, and opportunities for leadership in view of changing external factors

Evaluation

To receive credit for POLI 400, you must complete and submit all of the assignments, achieve at least 50 percent 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:

The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.

Materials

This course either does not have a course package or the textbooks are open-source material and available to students at no cost. This course has a Course Administration and Technology Fee, but students are not charged the Course Materials Fee.

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

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 POLI 400 challenge registration, you must complete all required components, and achieve an overall grade of at least D (50 percent) .

Important links

• Academic advising
• Program planning
• Request assistance
• Support services