GENERAL
| SCHOOL | School of Economics and Political Science |
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| DEPARTMENT | Sociology |
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| Level of Study | Undergraduate |
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| COURSE CODE | 431102 |
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| COURSE TITLE | Public and Alternative Forms of Governance (APG) |
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| Independent Teaching Activities |
Weekly Teaching Hours |
CREDIT UNITS |
| — |
| Course Type | Special Background |
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| Prerequisite Courses | No |
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| Teaching and Examination Language | Greek |
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| THE COURSE IS OFFERED TO ERASMUS STUDENTS | No |
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| Course Webpage (URL) | |
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(2) LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Cultivation of reflective thought and critical thinking,
- Search, analysis and synthesis of data and information, using the necessary tools: literature search, project execution: individual or team work
- Working in an interdisciplinary environment
- Generation of new research ideas
- Respect for diversity and multiculturalism, demonstration of social, professional, and ethical responsibility and gender sensitivity
(3) COURSE CONTENT
The course examines the theories, practices, and social dynamics of commons and of alternative forms of governance, beyond the traditional models of state and market. It focuses on the collective management of resources, participatory democracy, the collaborative economy, community self-organization, and new forms of social and political innovation.
Examples are analyzed from digital commons (open source, Wikipedia), urban commons, ecological commons, social cooperative initiatives and local forms of participatory governance, with the aim of understanding alternative models of social organization, sustainability, and social justice.
The course connects theory and practice, enhancing critical thinking around power, democracy, collective action, and sustainable development.
Thematic Units
- Introduction to the concept of the Commons
- Theories of collective action and self-organization
- The work of Elinor Ostrom and the governance of common-pool resources
- State, market and commons: comparative governance models
- Participatory democracy and decentralized governance
- Social and solidarity economy
- Digital commons and open knowledge
- Urban commons, public space, and local government
- Environmental commons and sustainable management of natural resources
- Communities of practice, collaborative ventures and cooperatives
- Social Movements, Autonomy, and Collective Political Action
- Institutional innovation and alternative forms of public policy
- Communities, Technology, and Decentralized Platforms (blockchain, DAO)
- Perspectives of the commons for the future of democracy and sustainability
(4) TEACHING & LEARNING METHODS – EVALUATION
| DELIVERY METHOD | Face to face |
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| Information and Communication Technologies |
- PowerPoint presentation
- Display of supporting audiovisual material
- Support of the learning process through the e-class electronic platform
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| Activity |
Semester Workload |
| Lectures and Assignments |
39 |
| Work |
39 |
| Standalone Study |
69 |
| Participation in exams |
3 |
| Course Summary |
150 |
Student Evaluation
| Process Description Evaluation |
- Attendance and Participation (10%)
- Preparation and Presentation of a Project (40%)
- Final Exam (50%)
Includes:
- Comparative evaluation of theories & critical evaluation of a specific case
They are listed and available on e-class
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(5) RECOMMENDED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Suggested Bibliography
- Ostrom, E. (1990), Governing the Commons, Cambridge University Press.
- Bollier, D. & Helfrich, S. (2019), Free, Fair and Alive: The Insurgent Power of the Commons, New Society.
- Hardt, M. & Negri, A. (2017), Assembly, Oxford University Press.
- Harvey, D. (2012), Rebel Cities, Verso.
- Benkler, Y. (2006), The Wealth of Networks, Yale University Press.
- De Angelis, M. (2017), Omnia Sunt Communia, Zed Books.
- Castells, M. (2015), Networks of Outrage and Hope, Polity.
- Polanyi, K. (2001), The Great Transformation, Beacon Press.
Related scientific journals
- Governance (Wiley)
- Global Environmental Change (Elsevier)
