This course is designed to introduce students to the genealogy, the central concepts, antinomies, subjects, issues, types, contemporary manifestations and challenges of governance. After an introduction to the course themes, structure and requirements, the lectures first examine the conceptual relation between government, governance and governmentality. Then, the course examines a) the central concepts of governance with an emphasis on the contemporary practices where these are substantiated, b) the antinomic and paradoxical relation between governance and sovereignty, c) the states and the international regimes in their historical development, d) the engagement of civil society and of social movements in the processes of governance, e) the concepts and practical manifestations of democratic and good governance, as well as the latter’s interrelation with development, f) the central points of criticism to the functions of governance, and g) the new facts set by the more recent political and economic developments globally. Finally, the course will examine the case of European governance as a typical case of multi-level governance, pertaining to the above characteristics as well as problems.
Specifically, the course is organized around thirteen (13) lectures on the following topics:
1. Introduction
2. Government, governance, governmentality
3. Central concepts of governance
4. Sovereignty and governance
5. States and international regimes
6. Civil society and social movements
7. Democratic governance
8. Good governance and development
9. Governance, hegemony, dependency
10. Governance, legitimacy, legitimization, accountability
11. Contemporary political and economic challenges
12. European governance
13. Review and conclusions

At the end of the semester students are expected to:
a) have acquired an introductory yet critical knowledge on the concept, the types, functions, practical manifestations, problems and contemporary challenges of governance,
b) have understood and be able to explain and apply the theoretical framework of the course on a series of practical issues in a manner both analytical and synthetic,
c) know the historically and culturally specific transformation of the political, social and economic practices and discourses in which governance remains embedded,
d) be able to participate in a fruitful and critical exchange of views on the respective course themes,
e) have acquired the methodological, analytical and synthetic competencies necessary for the production of an excellent critical essay, and
f) be able to delve in more difficult and complex issues relevant to the study of governance.