Postgraduate Diploma in Politics and Governance

This student-centered, activity-driven course provides an understanding of the political architecture of Sri Lanka and tools to traverse this complex world. It provides knowledge of the governance infrastructure of the island and insights into how it interacts with the world. This course further provides skills in negotiation, in analysis, in evaluation – that are essential for anyone who wishes to work in Sri Lanka with those in the public sector. 

Key Take-aways & Expected outcomes from the Course: 

At the end of this Diploma, a student will be able to 

• Comment on the conceptual understanding of politics is in the 21st cen. 

• Explain the political architecture of Sri Lanka  

• Express his/her opinion on the policy-making infrastructure of Sri Lanka 

• Apply negotiation skills at inter-personal to inter-state level conflicts. 

• Analyze the regional and global security implications on Sri Lanka 

• Assess field research data to write a report 

USP – the unique ‘selling point’ of each Course: 

• This Diploma provides a-political insights into the political architecture of Sri Lanka in dealing with the domestic and foreign policies. 

• This is the first Diploma of this kind in the region.

• All course modules are hands-on, student-centered, and activity-based learning.

• Experts in the field provide lectures. 

• Teaches to conduct evaluations, analytical report writings, and assessing impact of policies. 
• Who will benefit from this course? This Diploma has been designed for 
  1. Entry-level public servants 
  2. Middle-level public servants 
  3. Private sector individuals who interact with public sector 
  4. Politicians
  5. Foreign policymakers 
  6. Defense sector  

Minimum entry-level qualifications SLQF Exit level 7 (http://www.ugc.ac.lk/attachments/1156_Sri_Lanka_Qualifications_Framework.pdf) 

• 4-year Bachelors (Hons) degree 
• 3-year Bachelors degree with 2nd Class lower
• 3-year professional qualification 
• A/Level passes with 10-years of experience  
• Any others based on case-by-case. 

Semester I: 3 Course Units (3 credits each – 150 notional hours per course unit) 

INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE (3 credit course) 

1. 1. History of the Discipline  
   2. Philosophical Foundations
   3. Nature of Politics 
   4. The State, Legitimacy and Authority 
   5. Political Leadership 
   6. Power in Politics
   7. Citizenship 
   8. Civil Society   
   9. Discourses on Politics
   10. Sri Lankan political structure 

2-hour face-2-face teaching and 1 hour discussion session. Students are to read assigned essential readings and discuss. Sessions are to revolve around student panel discussion in a student-centered active-class participative model. 

References 

Michael Jarrett. 2017. “The 4 Types of Organizational Politics” in https://hbr.org/2017/04/the-4-types-of-organizational-politics 

POLITICS OF NEGOTIATION    

1. 1. Positive and Negative aspect of Conflict 
   2. Peace, War, Violence, Conflict, Disputes 
   3. Nature/Nurture-debate 
   4. Conflict Analysis 
   5. Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, & Transformation 
   6. Peacemaking, Peacekeeping, Peacebuilding, Hybrid Peace
   7. International Law and justice 
   8. Game Theory 

This activity-based course requires 3-hour weekly sessions in a student-centered environment with an added 3 hours of student reading and activity preparation. Classes are to combine readings, discussions, skits, Jigsaw activity session will be used to ensure absorption of concepts. 

References 

 PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS FOR THE 21ST CEN. 

1. 1. Good Governance 
   2. Public Policy & Regulatory Laws
   3. Institutionalizing of Public Policy 
   4. Analyzing Public Policy 
   5. Monitoring vs. Evaluation 
   6. Global Challenges for policymakers 
   7. Analysis of Future Trends 
   8. Scenario-building for future 

This course combines analysis of primary texts and scenario-building. 

SEMESTER II

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS & SECURITY 

1. 1. Sri Lankan Diplomacy 
   2. Sri Lankan Traditional Security concerns 
   3. Sri Lankan Non-Traditional Security concerns  
   4. Sri Lankan foreign policy 
   5. South Asian Political culture 
   6. India as a Regional Hegemon  
   7. South Asia & SAARC 
   8. Maritime Security and extra-regional powers  

 

SRI LANKA IN 21ST CEN. POLITICS 

1. 1. Sri Lanka in peace and conflict 
   2. Internal vs. International Conflicts
   3. External Powers in Internal Conflicts 
   4. Media and Politics 
   5. Religion and Politics 
   6. Gender and Politics 
   7. Social Movements 
   8. Transnational powers and Sri Lankan politics 

• RESEARCH PROJECT 

1. 1. Five Methods of Political Science research (Qualitative & Quantitative data analysis; game theory models, historical analysis, and scenario-building)
   2. Field Research of real-world issues 
   3. 30-page Policy Report 
   4. Viva Voce