| CODE | PPL3009 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Local and Community Governance | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 8 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Policy, Politics and Governance | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Community governance is a versatile concept that comprises a number of interdependent themes, including community participation, engagement and decision-making in public matters. In this regard, this study-unit revolves around four fundamental pillars, namely (i) local governance, (ii) social governance, (iii) network governance and (iv) participatory governance. It provides students with the opportunity to understand and influence the dynamics of political affairs at the most basic level of governance, i.e. the community. This study-unit also seeks to bridge the gap between academia and the grounded community life. Some of the lectures are organized on-site at selected localities wherein mayors, councillors, parish priests and NGO leaders may be invited to present their successful community projects to students. Study-Unit Aims: The overall aim of this study-unit is to: - render students aware of how people and organisations can work together and independently, making decisions for the benefit of the local community. - build the knowhow capacity for students interested in local councils, parish councils and non-governmental organisations so as they can be more effective at the community level. Both theoretical and empirical foundations are used to achieve the dual aim of this study-unit. From a theoretical level, students are introduced to the principle of ‘subsidiarity’ of social organization that holds that social and political issues should be dealt with at the most immediate (or local) level that is consistent with their resolution. Furthermore, the study-unit covers the salient legal features of the Local Government Act and the Voluntary Organisations Act. From a capacity building perspective, students will be introduced to a series of best practices extracted from empirical cases involving successful political/social projects coordinated at the local level by both state and non-state organisations. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Distinguish between the concepts of local governance, social governance, network governance and participatory governance; - Define, interpret and apply the principles of subsidiarity and multi-level governance; - Orientate themselves with the provisions of the Maltese laws relating to Local Government and Voluntary organisations; - Enhance and diversify the methods of decision-making at the local level by investing in the capacity building of state and non-state organisations, as well as parish groups; - Promote citizen engagement as a means to boost political activation; - Deal with conflicts of interest and ascertain ethical conduct; - Engage in collective learning and the identification of ‘best practices’ through empirical case studies; - Explore the potential of Public-Social Partnerships at community level. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Assume political and administrative roles in local councils, parish organisations and other non-governmental entities; - Get involved in networking activity among academics and community leaders, such as mayors, councillors, parish priests and NGO leaders; - Undertake research in community governance, using standard methodologies and theoretical frameworks; - Promote and coordinate community initiatives involving Public-Social Partnerships. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Peter McLaverty (2017), Public Participation and Innovations in Community Governance, SAGE. Selected Journal - Community Development Journal, Oxford Academic This international journal provides an excellent vehicle for scholars, students community development professionals, and grassroots workers to develop knowledge and exchange ideas about theory and practice worldwide, Supplementary Readings: - Various literature published by local councils and parishes in Malta. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Fieldwork | |||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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