Community Governance
Module Description
This module covers two parts: Community Governance and Leadership, and Good Governance in Local Councils. Students will learn to identify and analyze the characteristics, concepts, and frameworks of community governance and leadership. The module will address challenges related to community governance and leadership, equipping students with the tools to navigate and manage these issues effectively.
A significant focus will be on analyzing public service frameworks, particularly concerning commissioning and procurement, to understand their impact on local governance. By examining these processes, students will gain insights into efficient resource management and service delivery in local councils.
Through this comprehensive approach, students will develop a thorough understanding of community governance, enhancing their ability to lead and contribute to local councils. This module prepares students to engage in effective governance practices, ensuring they are well-equipped to foster good governance and leadership within their communities.
Entry Requirements
Candidates who apply for this course must possess the following:
- a qualification at MQF Level 4 (one A-level or equivalent in any subject);
AND
- a pass in English Language and Mathematics at MQF Level 3 (O-level or equivalent).
Preference will be given to prospective applicants having a year of work experience related to the study programme.
Target Audience
This course is targeted at:
- Professionals within the public sector aspiring for professional and academic advancement in public management and governance;
- Mid-career break professionals looking for opportunities to return to or change their career;
- Other individuals who would find this programme suitable for their academic and professional path.
Module / Unit Instructions
The proposed structure comprises a blended approach promoting the building of a community of practice via peer-to-peer learning. The structure uses primarily two dimensions of teaching-learning modes:
- Face to Face sessions
Face-to-face sessions include lectures, tutorials, discussions, presentations and workshop activities promoting peer-to-peer learning.
- Online Learning Activities
Online learning activities incorporate tutorials and asynchronous discussions. These may consist of active interaction, participation and contributions in fora discussions, sharing resources and self-reflection exercises. Learners also contribute to the building of the community of practice by providing feedback to their peers as critical friends, enhancing the learner’s critical engagement throughout the study period.
How you’ll be assessed
The course comprises:
- Evening classes for part-time courses.
- Classes held throughout the day for full-time courses.
- Guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos.
- Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work.
Assessment
Assessment is carried out via two mandatory components:
- Modular Assessment
- Summative Assessment
The programme includes different forms of assessment which allow for and promote students’ critical engagement. The formative and summative assessment tasks may include an in-class assignment and/or a home-based written assignment using diverse assessment tools which may take the form of online and in-class discussions, examinations, case studies, reports, proposals, essays, and presentations, etc., as applicable to the diverse modules.
Module Intake Dates
October 2024
Learning Outcomes
Competences:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Examine community governance and leadership characteristics, concepts and frameworks.
- Analyse the relationship between good governance and leadership.
- Examine the challenges concerning community governance and leadership.
- Discuss development concepts for sustainable communities and participatory democracy.
- Identify the importance of impact and outcome of commissioning and procurement decisions on social issues as employment, economic development, sustainability and equality.
Knowledge:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:
- Defining good governance and leadership.
- Community governance.
- The challenges concerning community governance and leadership.
- Sustainable communities and participatory democracy.
- Commissioning and procurement regimes.
Skills:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:
- Identify the strengths and weaknesses of different community governance and leadership characteristics, concepts and frameworks.
- Review the development of sustainable communities and ways to promote the development of participatory democracy.
- Identify and discuss issues resulted from bad governance and suggest solutions for future consideration.
- Evaluate principles of good governance and challenges associated with effective public consultation.
Judgment Skills and Critical Abilities:
The learner will be able to:
- Analyse academic and practitioner literature on community governance and leadership.
Module-Specific Communication Skills:
The learner will be able to:
- Identify and apply personal influencing skills and styles.
Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences:
The learner will be able to:
- Navigate through the online learning platform to benefit from assignments, discussion boards, literature, tutorials etc.