Table of contents

The course is connected to the following study programs

Teaching language

English

Prerequisites

Candidates need to fulfil the admission requirements for the PhD specialisation in Public Administration.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

  • Have a comprehensive overview of the concept of governance, both with respect to the concept’s theorizing and its appearances in public organisations.
  • Apply concepts of governance to analyse empirical cases and to outline research strategies in studies of governance.
  • Present a systematic introduction to the development of the various forms and contents of public governance
  • Trace the history of essential concepts and contemporary forms of governance.

Contents

  • Review of governance literature in public administration and public policy
  • Review theories of governance
  • Mapping of types of governance
  • Outline of an organizational approach to public governance
  • Offer empirical cases of public governance dynamics, challenges and dilemmas

Empirically, the focus is on how forms of governance are orchestrated and legitimated in local government, domestic central administrations, and within the European Union (EU) system.

Teaching and learning methods

Instruction will comprise:

  • Workshop given by lecturers and guest lecturers
  • Student presentations of their research papers
  • Individual feedback on each student's research paper

Examinations

Candidates will be assessed based on a term paper (~6-7000 words). The paper will be graded with pass or fail, where pass is the equivalent of a grade B or better.

Student evaluation

The PhD programme manager, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1. Information about evaluation method for the course will be posted on Canvas.

Other information

Contact person: Professor Jarle Trondal
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 15, 2026 7:16:28 PM