|
|
|
To register for this module, or to check enrollment availability, please click here or scroll to the bottom of the page.
| 500:003: Governmental Transparency and E-Governance |
|---|
An Online Educational Module
Based on the Citizen-Driven Performance Measurement Project
Sponsored by
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
| | Syllabus: |
|---|
Governmental transparency is not a new concept but has been receiving increased attention recently. Governmental transparency allows individuals to gain a better understanding of what is going on inside of government. This course focuses on the intellectual concept of governmental transparency; key policies associated with its implementation, including open public records and open meetings laws; and an introduction to counter arguments to open government policies including national security and personal privacy.
E-government and e-governance in today's society and in public organizations has emerged in the past decade and such practices are still evolving. Building on concepts of governmental transparency, this course will also provide an introduction to the skills that are useful in information management, information technology, and systems dedicated for the effective flow of information within organizations.
Finally, this course will critically evaluate e-governance practices in order to identify some of the limitations and dangers involved with the rapidly changing role of information and information technology in today's society and its relation to governmental transparency.
| | Overview of the Course: |
|---|
Through theoretical and practical exercises, students will systematically examine these important dimensions of governmental transparency and e-governance. The following questions will be addressed:
- Will stronger governmental transparency policies improve democratic accountability at all levels of government?
- Why should individuals care about freedom of information and open meeting policies?
- How can individuals gain better access to their governments?
- What government services are currently offered using technology as a medium?
- How can citizens be empowered by using technology?
- What are the limitations and dangers of using technology for government interactions?
| | Course Objectives: |
|---|
This course aims to:
- Increase knowledge about governmental transparency and open government, including federal, state, and local freedom of information and open meetings laws.
- Create an opportunity for students to learn and demonstrate what values are associated with governmental transparency.
- Create an opportunity for students to learn and demonstrate the various approaches to open government in a democratic society.
- Develop an understanding of the dynamic roles public administrators play with regard to governmental transparency.
- Develop an understanding of the role of e-government and e-governance in today' society and in public organizations.
- Identify current e-governance practices, both in the U.S and throughout the world.
- Identify best practices in e-governance and the means used to evaluate them.
| | Outcome: |
|---|
Students must be able to:
- Identify, analyze, and critique the key benefits and short comings of current open government policies.
- Understand and explain the problems different levels of government have with implementing transparency policies.
- Demonstrate knowledge of why governmental transparency policies are necessary in a democratic society.
- Understand the systemic problems of implementing open government policies.
- Articulate current practices in e-governances from information dissemination to active citizen participation.
- Understand the factors that allow for effective practices of e-governance.
- Understand the limitations and dangers involved with the rapidly changing role of information technology.
|
|
 |
