Entry requirements

Political Science B

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course the student is expected to know how to

• independently discuss and work with political science problems;
• distinguish and define political science problems and independently collect and work on research material relevant to the formulated questions;
• understand texts with quantitative elements and work with basic quantitative methods;
• independently define, formulate and carry out a limited research assignment relevant to the theory and chosen problem and using political science methods, write and defend a scientifically structured essay;
• independently act as opponent which means discussing another student’s essay and the contribution it makes;
• actively participate in seminar discussions and give presentations of articles and of one’s own work.

Content

The course contains three sub-parts.

The first part is a methods course introducing various research methods used in political science. Here some basic methodological concepts will be examined and the different stages of the research process will be discussed. Qualitative as well as quantitative methods of analysis will be introduced during the course. Special attention will be given to quantitative methods.

The next part means a choice between a number of specialisation courses, where some will be offered in the Autumn semester and some in the Spring semester.

The third and final part consists of doing an independent and specific project chosen by the student and elaborated in consultation with an advisor. The work is to be presented at a final seminar in the form of a written essay.

1. Methods, 7.5 credits

Objectives

After completing the course the students are expected to possess:

• the ability to undertake basic empirical research using quantitative as well as qualitative techniques.
• satisfactory knowledge of both descriptive and causal analysis.
• satisfactory knowledge of the relative advantages and disadvantages of quantitative and qualitative techniques.
• satisfactory knowledge of the problems involved in establishing causal relationships.
• satisfactory skills in interpreting results from both quantitative and qualitative analyses.
• basic skills in computer-based statistical analysis.
• basic knowledge of statistical inference.
• basic knowledge of experimental design.

Content

The focus of this course is on various research methods used in social science. It explains basic methodological concepts and discusses the main steps of the research process. Students are introduced to quantitative as well as qualitative analysis techniques, albeit with a special emphasis on quantitative techniques. An important additional aim is to communicate an understanding of the relative strengths and weaknesses of quantitative versus qualitative techniques. The question of how to provide evidence for the existence of causal relationships in political science constitutes another central component of the course.

Teaching

Teaching takes the form of optional lectures and mandatory seminars. The lectures cover the central topics of the course. The seminars are the most important part of the course. Here the students are given the opportunity in smaller groups to practice their skills related to the different steps of the research process. The seminars are conducted in two different ways. In preparation of the majority of the seminars, a number of assignments with essay-like elements are completed. The students can write individually or in pairs and are required to hand in their solutions in connection to the seminar. These solutions are then extensively discussed during the subsequent seminar under the guidance of a seminar teacher, who also provides written feedback on each assignment. In parallel with the entirety of the course, the students will also conduct their own investigation, from data collection to analysis, which is presented at the last seminar.

Examination

The course ends with a written exam. The exam provides the basis for grading the students, but it also offers the students an opportunity to review the contents of the course and thus sustain and solidify the knowledge they have acquired during the course. In the exam, the students should demonstrate that they have the ability to understand, interpret and critically examine social science studies from a methodological perspective. Grades are awarded on a scale comprising the grades VG (pass with distinction), G (pass), and U (fail).

To reach the grade G (pass), students must:

- participate in all mandatory seminars as well as present serious attempts to solve all seminar assignments.

- obtain the grade G (pass) on the written exam.

2. Gender, Power and Institutions, 7.5 credits

The course is offered during the autumn semester resources permitting

Content

The course addresses questions, both theoretically and empirically, of how gender inequality arises, is maintained and managed, within both formal institutions (e.g. parliaments, parties and organisations) and informal institutions (e.g. networks, norms and ideas). The course is grounded in the new institutionalist theories which have, in recent years, become very influential in the field of political science. In the theoretical part of the course, the students are introduced to basic concepts and theories about gender, power and institutions. The empirical parts of the course give students concrete examples of how these concepts and theories can be used to analyse politics and policy from a gender perspective. For instance, how different kinds of institution interact resulting in gendered consequences in political representation, public politics and policy will be discussed.

Learning outcomes

The course aims to furnish students with the knowledge of how to analyse political processes and policy from a gendered, new institutionalist perspective.

After completion of the course, the students are expected to:

• On the basis of theories introduced during the course, be able to account for and critically discuss the concepts of gender and power
• Be able to account for the difference between formal and informal institutions
• Be able to give examples of and describe empirical gender research within the field of new institutionalism
• Be able to analyse political phenomena from a gendered, new institutionalist perspective

Teaching

The teaching consists of lectures and seminars. The seminars are compulsory, and there is an assignment that has to be completed in advance of each seminar. The participants are also expected to undertake independent study of the course literature, preferably before the corresponding lectures, and certainly before the seminars. The total time of study should be around 40 hours per week. The course language is English.

Examination

Examination takes place continuously throughout the course, through written and oral assignments, as well as through active participation in the seminars. At the end of the course, the students write a final course paper which will be discussed during a seminar and examined by the teacher. The course paper must deal with issues addressed during the course. The following grades will be applied: pass with distinction (VG), pass (G) and fail (U).

In order to pass the following is required:

• The student has achieved the learning outcomes
• The student has participated in all compulsory elements of the course
• All the assignments have been completed and passed
• The course paper has been handed in before the deadline and passed

3. The Political System of the European Union, 7.5 credits

The course is offered during the autumn semester resources permitting

Content

A majority of the states in Europe are today members of the European Union. This organisation has gradually acquired more competencies and influence. Basic knowledge of the EU is thus a prerequisite for understanding political life in contemporary Europe. The aim of the course is to provide a basic understanding of how the EU political system works, and how the Union affects its member states. The course covers three main themes: First, the EU is studied as a political system. The key institutions and decision-making processes at the EU level are presented. The students are introduced not only to the formal rules of the game, but also to the political practices developed over time. Second, the course examines the basic constitutional problems of the EU. How democratic and effective is the EU political system? How will the EU evolve as a result of the Lisbon treaty? What new demands are raised by the euro crisis? The third theme covers the processes of Europeanisation: if and how are the political systems at the national level affected by membership in the EU? Are processes of Europeanisation visible in the member states? How has EU-membership affected executives, parliaments and bureaucracies?

Aim

Having completed the course, students are expected to:

• possess basic knowledge of how the EU’s political system works
• possess good knowledge of the basic institutions of the EU
• possess good knowledge of the decision-making processes within the EU
• possess a basic understanding of the most important policy fields within the EU
• possess a basic understanding of the constitutional problems linked to the institutional set-up of the EU
• possess basic knowledge of processes of Europeanisation
• possess good knowledge of how parliaments, governments and administrations at the national level are affected by EU-membership

Teaching

The course is composed of a mixture of lectures and seminars. The lectures address the basic themes and issues. During the seminars students will get the opportunity to discuss questions linked to the basic themes.

The literature includes books, articles and working material.

The course is taught in Swedish.

Examination

Examination is based upon participation in compulsory elements of the course and a written exam. The following grades will be applied: passed with distinction (VG), passed (G) and failed (U).

In order to pass the following is required:

(1) active participation during compulsory elements of the course (seminars);

(2) the grade ’passed’ on the written exam.

To pass the course with distinction the student is required to participate in compulsory elements of the course as well as receiving the grade ’passed with distinction’ on the written exam.

4. Organizing Power, 7.5 credits

The course is offered during the autumn semester resources permitting

This course is taught in Swedish.

Recently it has been claimed, that the traditional base of state authority has been undermined or crowded out. As the centre of policy making, the state has been challenged from above through international fora such as the EU, and from below through decentralisation and the empowerment of local political and administrative entities. While some scholars even claim that it is no longer meaningful to talk about “governments” or “states” or hierarchical power distribution, others claim that recent events have actually empowered the national executives.

This course aims at enhancing the participants’ knowledge of how constitutional theory and public management theory can help us to understand how the organisational side of politics distributes power among actors and over time. We focus on some of the most debated issues of our time by asking whether it is true that political power is increasingly centralised to governments, and even to Prime Ministers. If so, what about the claim that political power is increasingly de-concentrated due to the alleged inefficiency of central governments?

The course is aimed for students who want to deepen their knowledge of public administration and policy as well as students who are looking for a professional profile. A core idea is that good knowledge about relevant theories together with the capability to critically analyse and evaluate public policy and implementation should be asked for at the municipality and state levels, as well as the EU level of public administration. In the final part of the course, special attention is paid to the evaluation problem as a methodological, administrative and political issue.

The course ends with a written exam, graded according to the Swedish standard (U-G-VG). Active participation in each of the seminars is also required. Students are also expected to hand in written assignments. Seminars and assignments are graded U or G.

5. Development Theory and Colonial Legacies, 7.5 credits

The course is offered during the autumn semester resources permitting

Objectives

After the course, the students are expected to be able to

• account for main trends in how perceptions of development have changed over time in colonial and post-colonial Africa, Latin America and South Asia since 1800
• account for examples of how colonial policies in Africa, Latin America and South Asia have been formed in relation to perceived insufficiencies obstructing development
• analyse how perceptions of similarity and difference between groups of people influence development policies
• account for examples of how perceptions of nationality, ethnicity, race and gender been integrated parts of development perceptions
• account for how development and underdevelopment theories been worked out in relation to colonial and post-colonial experiences in Africa, Latin America, South Asia and Europe.

Content of the course

The course contains an analysis of perceptions and theories of “development” and “progress” and how these perceptions have influenced the political, economic and social practices in South Asia, Africa and Latin America since about 1800. The course deals with changes in the perceptions of development caused by colonial and post-colonial experiences. Further, the course deals with perceptions of race and ethnicity, of sex/gender and of how social power was organised politically as integrated parts of perceptions of development. The course is given by teachers from different disciplines to illustrate different perspectives on issues of development in history.

Teaching

The instructions consist of lectures and seminars.

Examination

Examination is given through a written exam. One part of the exam might be examined by written assignments and active participation in seminars. In order to pass the course the students need to pass the written exam. Grades are awarded according the scale “failed”, "pass" or "pass with distinction".

Further instructions

Further instructions will be given at the start of the course.

6. International Politics, 7.5 credits

The course is offered during the autumn and spring semester resources permitting

Course content

This course provides students with a deeper introduction to the conceptual and theoretical tools used in the study of international politics. The course also examines a number of enduring and contemporary topics in international relations, such as international cooperation, security issues, nuclear proliferation, arms control, environmental politics, foreign policy analysis, warning-response problems and humanitarian intervention. The course concludes with a role-playing game where students have the opportunity to apply the concepts they have learned by engaging in simulated international negotiations.

Goals

The overarching goal of this course is to impart how the fundamental concepts, theoretical approaches, and methods from International Relations and social science can be applied to make sense of and study world politics and global affairs. The course also aims to help students develop a set of general skills - the ability to think critically, analyse information, and express themselves orally and in writing - that will serve them well in their future educational and professional endeavours. Upon completion of this course students should be able to able to deploy key theoretical concepts from the main schools of thought in the field to analyse global issues and assess and evaluate various policy prescriptions designed to address transnational problems.

This class serves as the intermediate level course within the sub-discipline of International Politics. The completion of this course with a passing grade should serve as useful preparation for the MA course in International Politics course. The intent is also to provide a good foundation for students who want to pursue this topic in a C level essay.

Instruction

The instruction of this course is comprised of a combination of lectures and seminars. The course also includes a simulation (role-playing) exercise.

The literature includes books, articles and working material.

The language of instruction for this course is English.

Examination

• Mandatory attendance and active participation in the seminars and simulation exercise.
• Written assignments.
• Written Test (Final examination).

Examination is based upon participation in compulsory elements of the course and a written exam. The following grades will be applied: passed with distinction (VG), passed (G) and failed (U).

In order to pass the following is required:

(1) The completion of compulsory elements of the course (seminars, simulation, written assignments);

(2) A passing grade on the written exam.

To pass the course with distinction the student is required to participate in compulsory elements of the course as well as receiving a grade of ‘passed with distinction’ on the written exam.

7. Thesis, 15 credits

Learning Outcomes

The aim of this course is to train the student to distinguish and define a research problem in political science, to delimit and carry out a minor investigation relevant to this problem, and to present the results in a clear and concise way. The student should then gain concrete experience of different investigation methods and learn how they can be used to solve the various tasks of a research project. The student shall also become familiar with different modes of interpreting and analysing research material and learn to draw well considered conclusions. Furthermore the course should make the student understand the value of analysing, in a dialogue with others, the design of different research methods and to constructively consider the views of others.

Content

The course requirement is to independently carry out a well-defined investigation of the student's own choice and set up in consultation with a super-visor. The research will be presented at a final seminar in the form of a written paper. One important part here is for the students to analyse and consider, together with others, the design of different types of research tasks. At the final seminar the author is expected to give a short oral presentation of the essay as well as reflect upon and answer questions about her/his own study. Furthermore, each student shall initiate the discussion about one other paper by acting as opponent, as well as actively participate in discussions on the other papers presented in the same seminar group.

Instruction

Advice is given at lectures on how the students are expected to work with the essay. All students are given a super-visor who will meet the individual needs of each student with regard to the essay assignment. A main feature of the teaching is the final seminars where the finished products will be presented and discussed. On this occasion the students are given the opportunity to thoroughly evaluate how the different types of projects have been carried out from beginning to end, and what conclusions can be drawn from the specific problems dealt with in the process.

Assessment

At the examination the main important thing is the design and quality of each student's essay concerning the preciseness of the problem definition, theoretical insight and reference to previous studies, methodological awareness and skill, and how well supported and clear the conclusions are. Creativity, analytical precision and depth are especially qualifying. Although the content of the essay naturally forms the core of the assessment, the importance of opposition, defence and activity in general should not be underestimated. In particular, a good seminar contribution may help to raise the grade in situations where the essay as such does not fully meet the requirements for the grade that is being considered.

The opponent should be able to identify relevant questions regarding central parts of the essay about the research project, aim, method, the analysis of the research material and the conclusions. The opponent is expected to criticize in a constructive and be able to define the good sides of the essay as well as what is lacking and try to suggest improvements. The demands above also apply to the other participants in the seminars, who are expected to actively contribute to the discussion.

The grading system is VG Pass with distinction’, G Pass’ and U Fail’

8. Comparative Politics, 7.5 credits

The course is offered during the spring semester resources permitting

Learning Outcomes

The course aims at providing a good understanding of research in the field of comparative politics. It should provide good knowledge of important research contributions and research strategies that aim at, or are useful for, describing and explaining political and ethnic conflicts, tolerance, socialisation, democratisation and development, in an extensive geographical comparative context, in developed as well as developing parts of the world. Also, the choice of literature and the cases selected to be studied have been made to give examples of different designs of research projects that should be useful for students preparing their C/master-level thesis project. In short, after the course, the students should:

• have a good idea of what comparative politics is
• understand when and why different groups enter into conflicts, how groups are mobilized, and why they sometimes manage to establish peaceful coexistence, and even manage to build democratic systems
• know the comparative politics discourse better
• be better prepared to write a thesis

Content

Comparative politics is a strange name for a field of research. It is strange because what you find under the label comparative politics – and its synonyms in other languages – often is not (explicitly) comparative. Most of the time it simply is “politics in some country/countries”. The conventional distinction between comparative and international politics is that the former deals with politics in other countries, and the latter between countries; this is easier to remember if one thinks of another common name for the latter – international relations.

If comparative politics is politics in other countries, then it is indeed a lot. Therefore we must make choices of what to study. One option would be to attempt to classify the world’s political systems in a number of fairly distinct categories, and to learn about these categories and their cases. This has been attempted by numerous authors. Another choice is to study a number of constitutional systems in the world. This course is built on another kind of logic. We have chosen to focus on some central research problems in comparative politics.

The overall problems concern democracy, conflicts, institutions (rules), tolerance, justice and development. These are chosen because important parts of research in political science concern these issues, and secondly because these issues are important to many people in many countries; two overriding criteria for any research or teaching in social science. The course is divided into four themes:

• Ethnic conflicts, tolerance and democracy
• Challenges in multicultural societies
• Political activism
• Classics of comparative politics

The choice of theme(s) and literature is a conscious attempt to bridge the unfortunate divide between studies of the West and “the rest”. The idea is that we can learn more about industrialised countries, former socialist countries and so-called low- or middle income countries not by separating them, but by studying them together.

Apart from the books required to be read, the course will make use of some academic articles. One purpose of using these articles is to give the students an idea about current debates in international research. All articles will be available for free via the Uppsala University Library.

The students are encouraged to participate actively in the discussions. We have achieved our objective with this course if, in at the end of it, the students think they have a better (or even much better) grasp of some substantial empirical, or political, problems in the contemporary world and some orientation in a few current debates in international research in general and comparative politics in particular.

Instruction

The instruction of this course is comprised of a combination of lectures and seminars. The language of instruction is English. The written assignment (classic review) should be written in English (so everyone can read and comment on the proposal/text). Regarding the written exam, students may give answers in English or Swedish. They may use a language dictionary at the exam.

Attendance is compulsory for all seminars. If students fail to attend a seminar they will have to hand in an extra written assignment. Additional instructions for the seminars may be handed out by the lecturers.

Assessment

The requirements of the course are:

• Attendance at some lectures
• Attendance and active participation in the seminars.
• Writing a review of a classic in comparative politics
• Written exam

The grade

Participation in the seminars is only graded as “pass” or “fail.” If the students come to the seminars and actively participate in the debates, and if they have done their best to absorb the literature before the seminar, then it is very likely that they will pass.

One grade for the whole course will be given according to the Swedish three-level system: Pass with distinction= Väl godkänd (Vg), Pass = Godkänd (G), and Fail = Underkänd (U).

• The book report for the “Classics” will be graded. The students need at least a 50% score to pass, and at least 75% to pass with distinction. The grade for the “Classics”-assignment constitutes 20% of the final grade.
• The exam will be graded. The students need at least 50% to pass, and at least 75% to pass with distinction. The grade for the exam constitutes 80% of the final grade.

9. Political Theory, 7.5 credits

The course is offered during the spring semester resources permitting

Learning outcomes

Students are expected to learn the main theories in contemporary normative political philosophy, in particular theories of justice. They should be able to analyse them from a critical point of view and to formulate their own independent arguments for and against the theories studied. They should also be able to relate fundamental theories of justice to theories of international justice, to theories of gender equality and multiculturalism. Finally, the students are expected to apply abstract normative thinking to practical political problems.

After completing the course the students are expected to

• be informed about the modern scientific debate in normative political theory in general, and about the discussion on justice in particular.
• apply theories of justice to issues of international justice
• apply theories of justice to issues of gender equality and multiculturalism.
• independently identify and discuss political conflicts, related to different normative principles justice.
• be able to collect theoretical an empirical information in order to formulate normative arguments in questions related to justice - nationally as well as globally.
• be able to present their arguments in writing and orally, clearly and systematically.

Contents

This course consists of three parts. In the first part we focus on various liberal theories (Utilitarianism, Rawls’ and Nozick’s) and their critics - Marxism, Communitarianism and Feminism. The main book is Will Kymlicka’s Contemporary Political Philosophy.

The second part concerns theories of international justice and the problem of global warming. The main book here is Peter Singer’s One World – The Ethics of Globalisation. We also read an article by Simon Caney, where he gives a broad overview of different theories of international distributive justice, and an article by Thomas Nagel, where he defends a non-cosmopolitan conception of international justice.

The third part deals with theories of multiculturalism and feminism. Here we read chapter 8 and 9 in Kymlicka's book, but also parts of Rawls' Political Liberalism, and articles about the possible conflict between multiculturalism and feminism.

Teaching

The course is given both for Swedish students and exchange students. The lectures are given in English. The seminar discussions will be in Swedish and English.

Examination

The course ends with a written test. The exam is marked according to the Swedish standard (U-G-VG). Half of the maximum points are required to pass the test. The questions can be answered in English or in Swedish. Active participation in each of the seminars is also required. The students should prepare written answers to the seminar questions.

10. Swedish Politics, 7.5 credits

The course is offered during the spring semester resources permitting

Learning Outcomes

The goal of this course is to deepen the knowledge of how informal and formal power is exercised in Sweden, how interest organizations are formed and how they impact politics and exercise power. Formal and informal power is studied through several perspectives: first, by focusing on the development of the trade union movement in Sweden; second, through one study of the informal power in think-tanks and public relations agencies (“the policy professionals”), and third, through studies of two specific policies: the foreign policy, with a focus on neutrality, and the parental leave policy that aims to create equality between men and women (among other things). The goal is to strengthen the students' analytical ability to verbally reflect on literature through seminars and a role-play. The student will also complete a written assignment (an analysis of the literature) and a written exam. The course is held in Swedish.

Assessment

Active participation in the seminars and the role-play, one written assignment (an analysis of the literature) and a written exam.

11. Environmental Politics and Its Challenges, 7.5 credits

The course is offered during the spring semester resources permitting

Content

The course consists of three parts:

(1) Collective action problems and environmental challenges in developing and developed countries; (2) Energy and technology; (3) Regional and international efforts to address climate change.

Goals

The course has two overarching goals. The first is to deepen the students’ knowledge and understanding of the ‘collective action dilemma’ from a social science perspective. The second goal is to acquaint the students with two important, and interdependent, global problems: climate change and energy. As a corollary to these two goals the course will also analyse and discuss possible political solutions to the management of climate and energy issues (as well as dilemmas over natural resources more generally). To this end, the course will examine possible solutions at the local, regional, and international levels.

At the global and the regional level, emphasis will be placed on international cooperation on climate change and the European Union’s role in the struggle to combat climate change. At the local level, the course will focus on how energy and climate politics are played out in developing countries.

Upon the completion of this course the students are expected to thoroughly understand the interface between politics and the challenge of addressing environmental problems and managing limited natural resources. The intent is also to provide a good foundation for students who want to pursue this topic in a C level essay in Development studies or Political Science.

Teaching

The course is composed of a mixture of lectures and seminars. The lectures address the basic themes and issues. During the seminar students get the opportunity to discuss questions linked to the basic themes.

The literature includes articles and working material.

The course is taught in English.

Examination

Examination is based upon participation in compulsory elements of the course and a written exam. The following grades will be applied: passed with distinction (VG), passed (G) and failed (U).

In order to pass the following is required

(1) Active participation during compulsory elements of the course (seminars);

(2) A passing grade on the written exam.

To pass the course with distinction the student is required to participate in compulsory elements of the course as well as receiving a grade of ‘passed with distinction’ on the written exam.

Instruction

The instruction is done in the form of lectures and seminars of varying content and disposition.

Additional information regarding instruction and examination will be handed out before each sub-course.

Assessment

The course examination is based on active seminar participation, course papers, essay assignment and written tests.

Grades are awarded according the scale “failed”, "pass" or "pass with distinction".