Studying online (if an online offering is shown below)
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
NGOs (non-governmental organisations) have become increasingly important actors at the subnational, national and international levels, carrying out a range of complex governing tasks, such as setting standards for businesses, serving as 'watchdogs', providing assistance after natural disasters, mediating conflicts, and delivering development assistance. Their rise has gone hand-in-hand with the shift from government to governance, a trend that is evident in the growing prevalence of new modes of governance such as public–private partnerships. This unit considers the political impacts of NGOs' activities in governance and development. The unit conceptualises NGOs and their relationship to states, markets and institutions, and explores the variety of actors that are categorised as part of the non-governmental or 'third' sector, with their differing capacities and degrees of power. It examines the multilevel character of NGOs' activities across advocacy, service provision and regulation, and considers the political impacts of their activities through a range of case studies from across the globe.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) understand differing theoretical approaches to examining NGOs and their relationship with states, markets and institutions; (2) describe the characteristics of NGOs and their activities; (3) critically evaluate debates in the media as they relate to NGOs; and (4) research, develop and deliver critical analyses of the role of NGOs in governance and development.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) reading responses; (2) research essay; and (3) policy brief. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Ky Gentry
- Unit rules
- Advisable prior study
- Bachelor of Arts (BP001) (major in Political Science and International Relations)
- Contact hours
- seminars: 18 hours
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.