Almost everything that happens in the world today is governed - by states, by corporations, and by a range of private/not-for-profit entities. All too often this governance is obscure and unobserved, and yet it shapes not only how we live today but what our collective future will be. This course ‘shines a light’ on some of the ways we govern ourselves, looking at the formal and informal actors that exist, the history of managing our collective affairs, and some of the issues/areas that governance occurs in. We have always sought to govern our affairs, individually and collectively, but through the co-action of economic change, societal development, and technological innovation what, and how, we govern has changed.
The course starts by considering the ideas that underpin governance - why we have it and why it is designed in the way that it is. With those initial thoughts exposed, together we will examine the formal architecture of global governance at the global, regional, and trans-regional levels. We will also consider the human practice of governance - the history, role, and obligations of the diplomat. From there we will examine some of the key sites of governance in 2025, looking at the key actors, processes, and successes, in these different areas.
Throughout the course we will reflect not only on the benefits of governance but also the pathologies, shortcomings, and unnecessary complexities that accompany it. We will constantly ask ‘who is governance for’ and ‘what is the purpose of governance’. Finally, we will ask how the concept and practice of governance will fair in the 21st century - an era of uncertainty, unprecedented change, and potential ‘poly-crisis’.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Critically assess the leading theories used to appreciate global governance in relation to real world practice
- Understand the origins, evolution, and potential futures of different forms of cooperation and institutionalisation in world politics
- Critically interrogate the meaning of 'diplomacy' as a practice in world politics and how diplomacy and diplomats work within governance processes
- Apply theories of governance and an understanding of diplomacy to consider and critique empirical 'governance problems' the world faces today
- Develop reasoned arguments about the current state and future challenges/opportunities in global governance
- Communicate clearly and precisely in a range of written, oral, and recorded formats
Other Information
The course is delivered in online and asynchronous format. There are no live classes (although students can work with the convenor as they wish). There are some 24 hours of video content and then the remainder is individual work. The course is organised over some five modules that the students can take at their own pace. Each module is capped with an assessment item that does have a specific submission date.
Indicative Assessment
- Solo Video Response #1 - Describe global governance today - 5 minutes (5) [LO 2,3,6]
- Online asynchronous conversation - Issues in global governance institutions - 2x300 word posts (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Photo analysis - diplomacy - 500 words (15) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Short Research Essay on contemporary governance challenges - 1000 words (25) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Solo Video Response #2 - Reflection on learning journey - 10 minutes (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,6]
- Summative assessment - the future is ungovernable? - 15 minutes (35) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
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Workload
The course amounts to some 130 hours of work including independent study.
Prescribed Texts
NA
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
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