TLÜ ÕIS

Civic Society

Course code

RIT6012.YK

old course code

RIT6012

Course title in Estonian

Kodanikuühiskond

Course title in English

Civic Society

ECTS credits

4.0

Assessment form

Examination

lecturer of 2023/2024 Spring semester

Triin Toomesaar (language of instruction:Estonian)

lecturer of 2024/2025 Autumn semester

Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.

Course aims

To develop an understanding of the mechanism of civic society as well as its position in the social, economic and political context. To develop an understanding of and fundamental capacities for working in an NGO or in cooperation with NGO-s.

Brief description of the course

The concept and functions of civic society. Civic initiative and its forms, dynamics and objectives. Founding an NGO: organisational and legal issues. NGO-s: goals and activities, internal democracy, sustainability and external factors. Advocacy. Funding. State and civil society relations. Forms of civic participation. Deliberative decision making methods. Civil society organisations as actors in international politics affecting policy on a postnational level.

Learning outcomes in the course

Upon completing the course the student:
- understands the political, economic and social role of the civil society;
- knows a variety of types of civic initiatives;
- knows how to found an NGO and what challenges are associated with its maintenance;
- knows what are social movements, interest groups and pressure groups and how they communicate their interests;
- knows the different democratic participation practices both from the perspective of NGO-s and public authorities. Knows how to participate and how to engage other actors;
- knows how NGO-s are funded;
- knows what are transnational civil society organisations and how they function.

Teacher

Mari-Liis Jakobson, vastutav õppejõud, Triin Toomesaar, lector

Study programmes containing that course