Citizen Competences
Course code
YID7011.YM
old course code
Course title in Estonian
Kodanikupädevused
Course title in English
Citizen Competences
ECTS credits
6.0
Assessment form
assessment
lecturer of 2026/2027 Autumn semester
Kristi Sillart (language of instruction:Estonian)
lecturer of 2026/2027 Spring semester
Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.
Course aims
By completing the course, students develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to act as informed, responsible, and active citizens in a democratic society. The course strengthens their ability to participate in democratic deliberation with well-reasoned arguments, make considered decisions, and choose appropriate, work purposefully with others and take a leading role and effective ways of engaging in societal processes.
Brief description of the course
The course focuses on the development of civic competences in a democratic society. It explores the meaning of citizenship and being a citizen, citizens’ rights, opportunities, and responsibilities, as well as the role of citizens as individuals, within civil society, and in a democratic state.
The course examines the meaning, forms, styles, roles, and competences of leadership and their development through learning and reflection. Particular attention is paid to political leadership in competitive contexts, leaders’ relationships with followers, allies, public officials, interest groups, the media, and the wider public, the development of political networks, and leadership in crises and scandals.
The course addresses group formation and stages of group development, roles, norms and group processes, group decision-making, and the principles of effective teamwork. The course provides an overview of democratic participation and engagement, strategies for civic participation, and acts of citizenship in promoting societal change. It examines the principles of democratic deliberation, argumentation, and informed decision-making, as well as different approaches to addressing societal disagreements and conflicts.
Particular attention is paid to considering diverse normative and ethical perspectives, managing emotions, critically evaluating the reliability of information, and recognising radicalising, depoliticising, and technocratising forms of influence. The course also addresses democratic resilience and citizens’ capacity to respond constructively to societal change and crises.
The course examines the meaning, forms, styles, roles, and competences of leadership and their development through learning and reflection. Particular attention is paid to political leadership in competitive contexts, leaders’ relationships with followers, allies, public officials, interest groups, the media, and the wider public, the development of political networks, and leadership in crises and scandals.
The course addresses group formation and stages of group development, roles, norms and group processes, group decision-making, and the principles of effective teamwork. The course provides an overview of democratic participation and engagement, strategies for civic participation, and acts of citizenship in promoting societal change. It examines the principles of democratic deliberation, argumentation, and informed decision-making, as well as different approaches to addressing societal disagreements and conflicts.
Particular attention is paid to considering diverse normative and ethical perspectives, managing emotions, critically evaluating the reliability of information, and recognising radicalising, depoliticising, and technocratising forms of influence. The course also addresses democratic resilience and citizens’ capacity to respond constructively to societal change and crises.
Learning outcomes in the course
Upon completing the course the student:
- understands the opportunities, rights, and
responsibilities of citizens as individuals, within
civil society, and in a democratic state, and
explains their role in a democratic system;
- analyses different forms, styles, roles, and
competences of leadership and plans appropriate
approaches to leadership in different political and
societal contexts, including situations of
competition and crisis;
- analyses opportunities for democratic participation and civic engagement, selects appropriate participation strategies, and participates in constructive democratic deliberation while considering diverse perspectives;
- makes informed and well-considered decisions by
critically evaluating the reliability of information
and taking into account different normative and
ethical perspectives;
- analyses radicalising, depoliticising, and technocratising forms of influence and evaluates their impact on democracy and civic participation;
- analyses the concept of democratic resilience and citizens’ capacity to respond to societal change and crises.
- understands the opportunities, rights, and
responsibilities of citizens as individuals, within
civil society, and in a democratic state, and
explains their role in a democratic system;
- analyses different forms, styles, roles, and
competences of leadership and plans appropriate
approaches to leadership in different political and
societal contexts, including situations of
competition and crisis;
- analyses opportunities for democratic participation and civic engagement, selects appropriate participation strategies, and participates in constructive democratic deliberation while considering diverse perspectives;
- makes informed and well-considered decisions by
critically evaluating the reliability of information
and taking into account different normative and
ethical perspectives;
- analyses radicalising, depoliticising, and technocratising forms of influence and evaluates their impact on democracy and civic participation;
- analyses the concept of democratic resilience and citizens’ capacity to respond to societal change and crises.
Teacher
Kristi Sillart
Additional information
This course cannot be transferred through RPL