AIP773 - Governance and Accountability in Turbulent Times

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:Trimester 3: Online
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Zim Nwokora
Cohort rule:Nil
Prerequisite:

Nil

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with: AIL773
Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment:

Online independent and collaborative learning activities equivalent to 1 x 1-hour per week

Content

Accountability has long been central to theories and practices of effective governance. But, in many countries, traditional ideas of accountability have been challenged, revised and even reinvented, due to fundamental economic, political and social change. Among these transformations has been the shift from economic and physical security to “post-material” concerns such as citizen self-expression and engagement in decision-making. Other new challenges include the rise of social media and conspiracy arguments in political debates. This unit explores how developments such as these have affected governance through constitutions, political parties, public bureaucracies and public-private networks. The management of policy problems is considered within a context of political, legal, fiscal and ethical accountability to diverse stakeholders. A key aim is for students to develop a critical awareness of the complex and at times competing array of accountability relationships at play in governance today, and explore ways to respond effectively, imaginatively and ethically to these demands.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
ULO1

Reflect critically upon traditional approaches to accountability, identifying the key tenets along with relative strengths and limitations here

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO2

Demonstrate a good grasp of different facets or dimensions of accountability as they are evolving today, and discuss in a critical and analytic way their actual and/or likely efficacy, having regard to the at times very different interests of stakeholders

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO4: Critical thinking

GLO5: Problem solving

GLO8: Global citizenship

ULO3

Approach the interpretation of issues relating to governance and accountability in an open, inquiring, analytic and reflective way

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO4: Critical thinking

GLO5: Problem solving

ULO4

Show a high level of independence in and capacity for undertaking research

GLO3: Digital literacy

GLO5: Problem solving

GLO6: Self-management

ULO5

Summarise and synthesise materials, drawing together conceptual and empirical materials in an analytic, insightful and reflective way

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO2: Communication

ULO6

Reflect critically upon how different models or theories can enhance not only our understanding of good governance, but also contribute to our own learning and development experience more broadly

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO4: Critical thinking

GLO8: Global citizenship

Assessment

Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1 - Essay 2000 words
or equivalent
40% Information not yet available
Assessment 2 - Essay 3000 words
or equivalent
60% Information not yet available

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via AIP773
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

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