Governance, Governability and Security in the Americas: Responses to Transnational Organized Crime (GGSA)

Next Course: January 27 - May 23, 2014
Dates include a On-line phase (January 27 - February 21, 2014)
Resident phase (March 10 - 28, 2014)
Research phase (March 31 - May 23, 2014)
Application period: August 5 - October 7, 2013

Admissions - 2012 Syllabus - Scholarships - Application Forms

O curso “Governance, Governability and Security in the Americas: Responses to Transnational Organized Crime” (GGSA) em 2014 será conduzido em  inglês, sem interpretação para qualquer outro idioma em suas atividades. É requisito também que o aluno seja fluente em inglês, para a ler textos obrigatórios neste idioma equivalentes aos esperados em nivel de pós-graduação. Assim, devido ao requisito obrigatório de leituras em inglês, todos os textos que descrevem o curso e informam sobre admissão estão apenas em inglês.

» Course Director: Dr. Michael Gold-Biss

» Overview

This is a 14-week course, with a three-week on-line phase, three-week resident phase, and an 8-week research and writing phase. The on-line learning system Blackboard and e-mail will be used during the on-line phase, during which it is expected that participants interact with their classmates and professors in asynchronous as well as synchronous sessions. Participants are required to read an average of 80 pages per week. In the resident phase the course is conducted in a combination of individual study, discussions of the literature, conferences and panels, case study and exercises. It is expected that students read an average of 60 pages per day. After the in-residence phase, students will have eight weeks to complete their research and conclude the paper. During this phase, they may receive on-line generic orientation and advice regarding the paper but should not expect reviews, editing, or proof-readings.
At the end of the course each participant will receive an individual evaluation, with grade. Those seeking a transcript from the National Defense University (NDU) will receive additional guidance to meet NDU requirements.

» Course Objectives

The principal objective of the course is to explore the current state of the art in relation to governability and governance vis-à-vis security and defense, in the context of a globalized world, but with an emphasis on the Western Hemisphere and the challenges posed by Transnational Criminal Organizations. Good governance, or a high degree of governability, today mean the ability of governments to respond efficiently and legitimately to the interests of the majority at the same time as societies have developed self-organizing capabilities that further their cohesion. In this context good governance and governability have become benchmarks for the political and institutional stability and effectiveness in decision-making and administration, yet the concepts have rarely been applied to issues of security and defense, or to the specific issue of Transnational Criminal Organizations.

From a theoretical perspective it is possible to see the recognition that there are states facing degrees of "fragility" as the result of the failure of good governance and a very low level of governability. In this sense the study of "Fragile States" becomes a mechanism to understand the importance of social order, stability, security, and integrity. One of the most common indicators of a fragile state is the loss of the physical control of the territory or a monopoly on the legitimate use of force. Other elements of state failure include the erosion of legitimate authority to make collective decisions, an inability to provide minimal public services, and the incapacity to interact with other states as a full member of the international community. Recovering from fragility is guided by the introduction, evolution and growth in the ability to generate stability and growth through good governance and increased levels of governability.
 

» Candidate Profile and Requirements

The Candidates must be professionally engaged in defense or security issues in their countries, coming from the following institutions/activities:
• Career officials from the ministries/secretaries of Security and Defense.
• Officials from other ministries/secretaries, from the legislative and judicial branches that interact with security and defense, including planning and control and oversight institutions.
• NGO and think-tank staffs involved in security/defense matters, educators, academic researchers, journalists and members of political parties.
• Police and active duty military officers with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and above;
• Doctoral students.

The course is taught at the graduate level; therefore, all candidates (civilian and military) must hold a university degree, related or equivalent work experience cannot be substituted for the degree requirement. There are no exceptions to this requirement.

Fluency in Spanish is required for reading theoretical and conceptual materials and for conducting group discussions. The ability for reading theoretical and conceptual materials in English is also required since many of the readings are in this language.

Candidates must be able to commit to participating in the pre-course online phase as well as the on-line post-residence phase, including synchronous and asynchronous sessions with professors and classmates.

Certificates will be issued only to participants who have fulfilled all academic requirements Candidates must have access to the internet, preferably using a wide-band DSL or LAN (optimum) connection.

CHDS graduates (both civilian and military) from resident courses held at CHDS since 1998 will be given priority over other candidates. A minimum of one year is required between courses.