The long-standing Voice column is back! This week’s Course Exam shines a spotlight on GOVN 301: Governance, the Public Sector and Corporate Power.
Overview
GOVN 301/POLI 301 is a three-credit, senior-level course offered by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. It has no prerequisites, though a previous course in political science, governance, or public administration would be advantageous. The course consists of nine units and six assignments with no midterm or final exams.
Summary
GOVN 301 is essentially a brief history of governance in Canada. It explores our nation’s various ideological and governmental shifts over the years, many of which were influenced by non-political actors. Particularly highlighted are the relationships between the public, private, and voluntary sectors. Other major topics include globalization and governance, the role of the mass media, capitalism versus socialism, and the transformation of citizens into customers. If you want to learn more, check out the syllabus.
Content
As mentioned, the course is broken down into nine units, which can be viewed in the course syllabus. There is considerable overlap between the units, with several concepts reappearing (e.g., neoliberalism, Keynesianism, capitalism, etc.). Each unit consists of an overview, commentary, key concepts, study questions, and three to five assigned readings.
Evaluation
As for evaluation, the six assignments and their respective weights toward the final grade can be found in course syllabus. For the most part, they are weighted according to their level of difficulty. Each consecutive assignment builds on the previous content, with the final one being a review quiz.
I found that the average wait time for an assignment to be graded was 10 days. Feedback was minimal, but the scoring seemed fair.
Materials and Costs
This course does not have an eText or physical package. It relies entirely on open access resources. As such, students are not charged the Course Materials Fee.
Students can use the Course Fee Calculator to determine the cost for any undergraduate course, including GOVN 301. More information about tuition and fees can also be found on AU’s website under the ‘Applications and admissions’ tab.
The Course in a Broader Context
How does GOVN 301 fit into the larger AU mosaic? Well, it is the introductory course for the Governance discipline and a requirement in the Bachelor of Professional Arts, Governance, Law, and Management Major (my current program). It is also an option in the Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and Political Economy Majors, among others.
GOVN 301 is an excellent primer for later governance classes as it introduces prominent concepts and in the discipline. Its multi-disciplinary nature incorporates elements of political science, public administration, and management sciences. There are also hints of sociology, media studies, and economics.
Who Should Take This Course and Why?
GOVN 301 was a requirement for my program, so I had no choice in taking it. However, even if it was optional, I probably would have jumped on the opportunity anyways. The syllabus intrigued me, and the lack of exams was the cherry on top.
Why should other students take this course, though? AU has hundreds to choose from, so what makes this one stand out? I reached out to Dr. Adriana Rincón Villegas, current tutor and one of the course revisors, for an opinion. She reiterated the course’s multidisciplinary nature, emphasizing how it would appeal to a wide audience. She also explained how GOVN 301 is suited for “those looking to understand how political and social structures have evolved in Canada, the role of media in shaping public discourse, and the growing demands for inclusion from marginalized groups”. The course is all about tackling the big questions. It encourages students to apply a critical lens to the major societal issues that surround us. Unsurprisingly, there is a lot of reading and writing. If these descriptions sound attractive to you, this course may be in your future.
How to Succeed
Of course, descriptions of the course content should not be taken at face value. Students with certain aptitudes may find GOVN 301 easier than others. Dr. Rincón Villegas stresses that “success in this course requires strong analytical and critical thinking skills… students will need to engage deeply with historical and contemporary issues.” A superficial understanding of the content won’t be enough; students will need to synthesize and apply course concepts in the assignments. Lastly, they should be open to diverse perspectives that challenge the age-old systems and beliefs we are familiar with in Canada.
If that sounds overwhelming, don’t worry! I have a few additional recommendations that will ensure you can excel in the course.
First, I implore students to complete the assigned readings strategically. Read through the instructions for upcoming assignments first, and then select appropriate readings accordingly. As the adage says: work smart, not hard.
Additionally, I suggest breaking the content down into smaller, more digestible notes. The concepts and theories tend to blur together in your mind, so annotating the course notes in plain language will make comprehension easier for you.
My Experience
To get an even better sense of the student perspective, I looked inward.
I found the assignment instructions straightforward and reasonable. The work was not difficult, and I appreciated that the assignments could be tailored to my individual preferences. Conversely, I thought the course notes were dense, theoretical, and often dry. They were laden with academic jargon and difficult concepts. This is to be expected for a senior-level course, but the information would have benefitted from being presented dynamic and engaging ways (e.g., charts, graphs, illustrations, videos, etc.).
Ultimately, I am glad I took GOVN 301 as my first course at AU. Not only did it usher me into the world of governance, but it also introduced me to the unique system of self-directed online learning at AU.
Conclusion
That’s it. I hope this Course Exam provided valuable information for current or potential students. I want to thank Dr. Adriana Rincón Villegas for her insightful comments.
I may be biased, but I think governance is a fascinating discipline with lots of food for thought. If this article piqued your interest, you should check GOVN 301 out.