Global Policies and Local Challenges: Perspectives from the South

Course dates

10 September 2024 – 3 December 2024

Registration period

1 August 2024 – 31 August 2024

Coordinating university

Tampere University

Instructors

Vera G. Centeno

Credits

5 ECTS

Course dates: 10.9.-3.12.2024
Registration dates: 1.8.-31.8.2024
Coordinating university: Tampere University Course code on Sisu: EDU.505
Responsible teacher: Vera G. Centeno (if.inut@onetnec.arev)
Credits: 5 ECTS
Course offered: 1/3

Course summary:

This course provides a guided reflection and learning about the global-local nexus in public policies from an international comparative perspective. It explores sustainable development issues that lie at the intersection of global and local governance such as food justice, education quality and water scarcity, among others. The goal is to open up the complexity of contemporary public policies and practices. The course invites students to develop an understanding of the global-local nexus by considering main debates in the field and their connection with current local issues. This will be accomplished by leveraging the valuable insights and experience brought by guest speakers from Africa and South America (check their names in the table at the end).

The course adopts a three-fold complementary approach. First, it introduces main concepts and interpretative frameworks that lend themselves for understanding global agenda-setting and the development of global frameworks, such as the United Nations Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Second, a special focus is placed on understanding the localization of global agendas. Global policies are frequently detached from the Southern local realities which they target. Thematic sessions with guest lectures working on the ground enable to understand local challenges better, and to address the global-local nexus from southern perspectives. Third, the course also tackles issues of collaboration and partnerships, which are the backbone of current sustainable agendas. The course reflects critically but constructively on how cooperation takes place by drawing on recent studies, experts’ insights, and practitioners experiences.

The course directly touches upon issues related with the SDGs, for example, with SDG 4 Quality Education and SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals. Although many examples deal mostly with education policies and practices, the course may be useful for students in public policy studies in general, and any person interested in related subjects, such as international cooperation, sustainable development, and global governance.

Learning outcomes:

After completing this course, the participants are expected to be able to:

• Apply and critically reflect on conceptual approaches that lend themselves for understanding the global-local nexus in the context of global governance and sustainable development.
• Gain familiarity with inquiries that are particularly suited for conducting international comparative studies.
• Develop an understanding of the impact of global assessments and frameworks on local developments in the Global South.
• Gain insights into key global issues and become familiar with their nuances and challenges in relation to Global South contexts.
• Develop skills to design research and partnerships that are considerate of Global South perspectives and local contexts’ challenges.

Learning methods:

The course utilizes an interactive pedagogical approach that incorporates student-centered methods. Besides lecture-based instruction, the course includes individual and group work, peer feedback and group discussions.

The course consists of synchronous and asynchronous online learning.

• Synchronous learning means that participants are required to log in and actively contribute to the sessions. These classes take the form of either interactive lectures/power point presentations followed by time for discussion, or seminars, in which the participants work together. For example, participants are separated into smaller groups, into break-out rooms, to discuss their previous readings or lecture content. They are also encouraged to participate in whole class discussions. Although lectures are recorded, enabling students to learn at their own pace, the course requests live participation in at least 2 of the synchronous sessions. Live participation in the tasks and discussions is also included in the final evaluation.
• Asynchronous learning enables participants to view learning materials at any time they choose. It consists of autonomous study. The participants will have all necessary study materials available online.

One session is reserved to cover students’ particular interests, and informal feedback is encouraged throughout the course. The course uses Zoom and Moodle virtual work environments.

Completion methods:

To successfully complete this course, students must participate live in at least two synchronous sessions, fulfill all tasks throughout both synchronous and asynchronous sessions (those who do not attend the synchronous session can fulfill the tasks during the following days) and submit the final assignment.

Study material:

This virtual course includes a variety of study materials: scientific literature, policy-oriented publications, podcasts and video-recorded live discussions and interviews, as well as interactive lecture materials (PowerPoints) and useful links. Relevant lectures of Tampere University research groups and webinar series are also used in the course. Material from different Global South contexts will also be available taking into consideration students’ interests.

All material will be available on Moodle. Moodle learning environment will be used for students’ feedback, discussion, and collaboration. Teacher’s feedback for the assignments and all course-related information are also given via Moodle.

Assessment criteria:

The course will be evaluated with grades 0-5 based on participation and evaluation of different tasks. These are assessed as follow:

• Attendance of synchronous sessions and participation in live group work (15%)
• Individual assignments (30%)
• Peer feedback (15%)
• Writing the final assignment (about 3000 words, including references) (40%)

This final work has two options:

• • Learning diary. A personal record about reflections or learning outcomes/experiences in relation to each session. Besides, it can also include course’s overall reflections, things learned with comments about their application and importance for students’ own live, work/research, or in general for society.
  • Essay about a particular topic. It can focus on any content of the course, but needs to include a conceptual approach, formulate questions or arguments, and include analytical thinking that reflect the learning developed throughout the course (more details provided during the course).

Maximum number of students:

45 Students.

The course favours students from the UniPID Member Universities, African universities partners in the GINTL Africa Network and Brazilian partner universities. However, all students, from both Global South and North, are welcome to register and will be admitted if open seats are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

The course is particular suitable for Master students, but undergraduate or PhD students interested in the topics are welcome to apply as well. Because no prior knowledge on the subject is required, the course is suitable for any person interested in the course’s themes.

Course timetable:

Please note that the time is given in the Finnish time zone.

The course takes place during the period of 10.9.2024 – 3.12.2024. In principle, the sessions will take place on Tuesdays, from 16:00-18:00. The late schedule aims at accommodating different time zones. Some variations may occur due to guest speakers’ individual schedules.

The preliminary timetable is included below. There is a break in weeks 42 and 43 (Tuesdays 15.10 and 22.10), no session or task will take place during these two weeks.

Date	Content and Guest Lectures	Format
10.09	Introduction: course content, organization and evaluation, Q&A	Synchronous
17.09	International comparative studies and perspectives	Asynchronous
24.09	Food Justice Guest: Dr. Norma Rudolph (Finland, TAU)	Synchronous
1.10	Transnational policy research: a researcher’s diary Guest: Prof. Michelle Morais de Sá e Silva (US, University of Oklahoma)	Synchronous
8.10	Climate Change Adaptation Strategies: The Case of Drought in Africa with a particular focus on Angola Guests: M.A. Hervé P. Vela & M.A. Márcia V. A. D. Chissingui (Angola, ISCED-Huíla)	Asynchronous
29.10	From global to street-level: the role of frontline public policy implementation across different contexts and reforms Guests: Dr Gabriela Lotta (Brazil, FGV), Dr Flávio Eiró de Oliveira (Netherlands, VU) & M.A. Luiz A. Andrade (Finland, TAU)	Asynchronous
5.11	International large-scale assessments in education Guests: M.A. Adriano Uaciquete (Mozambique, UEM), Dr. João P. Azevedo (UNICEF) & Dr Marialuisa Villani (Italy, Unibo)	Synchronous
12.11	Open session reserved for students’ interests	Synchronous
19.11	The role and impact of international organizations and experts Guests: Dr Íris Santos (Finland, TAU) & M.A. Samuel dos Santos Comprido (Guinea-Bissau/Brazil, UFP).	Synchronous
26.11	International cooperation: conceptual, ethical and practical insights from ongoing partnerships Guests: M.A. Abel Bala (Angola, ISCED-Huíla), Prof Aline Intorne (Brazil, IFRJ), Dr Íris Santos (Finland, TAU), M.A. Mariana Teixeira (Angola, ISPI), Prof. Sarita M. Henrikson & Prof Albino Chavale (Mozambique, UP-Maputo)	Synchronous
3.12	Closing open session: discussion and feedback	Synchronous

Get to know more about Vera G. Centeno and the course content in this blog post written as part of the "Face behind the course" section.

Virtual Studies Course Catalogue →