Curriculum
Georgetown's Master of Arts Program in Democracy and Governance addresses the diverse challenges and obstacles to promoting sustained democratization and achieving effective governance. The curriculum requires 42 credit hours. Core courses on democracy promotion, political reform, and institutional and policy development, taught by leading scholars and practitioners in the field, provide a crucial analytical foundation, while courses offered by the Department of Government and other Georgetown departments permit students to design a program that meets their specific interests.
The program typically takes two years to complete on a full-time basis, though some students elect to complete the program on a part-time basis over three years. Full-time students take anywhere from three to five courses per semester (nine to 15 credits), though nine credits qualifies as full-time. Part-time students typically take two courses per semester, and may also participate in the summer session.
The program provides training organized around four thematic areas:
- History and Theories of Democracy and Democratization
- Democracy, Governance, and Institutions
- Democracy and Civil Society
- Democracy, Governance, and Development Policy
Each thematic area encompasses issues that are central to an understanding of current debates in the study of democracy and governance, with a balance of applied and theoretical training. In addition, we encourage students to take courses that allow them to focus on the unique political trajectory of a particular world region.
I. History and Theories of Democracy and Democratization
- The origins and trajectories of democracy
- Democracy in Western political thought
- Ideologies and norms, including religion, in the study of democracy
- The quality of democracy
II. Democracy, Governance, and Institutions
- Corruption and rule of law
- Institutions of governance and representation
- Globalization and democracy
- Political economy of development and economic reform
III. Democracy and Civil Society
- Civil society in transitioning countries and emerging democracies
- Social movements and political change
- The relationship between democracy and civil society
- Globalization and trans-national civil society
IV. Democracy, Governance, and Development Policy
- Theories of democracy and economic development
- Governance and economic development
- Development policies of states and international organizations
- Theories of political development
Exams
In order to graduate from the program, students much pass a written language proficiency examination, in which they must translate a short article in a foreign language to English. The document is typically a piece of popular news or current events of about two pages in length. Students may bring a dictionary to the exam, but Internet use is prohibited. International students from countries where English is not the primary language may request an exemption from the exam. The exam is administered once in both the fall and spring semester.
In the month prior to graduation, students must also pass an oral comprehensive examination. This exam lasts 30-45 minutes and is administered by the program directors. Students are given a study guide in advance.
From the Democracy and Society Blog
June 06, 2012
June 05, 2012
June 03, 2012
June 05, 2012
June 05, 2012
June 05, 2012