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. In preparation of the seminars, a number of assignments are completed. The students write in groups 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. As a final assignment, the students conduct their own quantitative data analysis which they present in both written and oral form 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 research 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. 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 for reform of the EU are raised by current 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-membershipTeaching
• 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.

2. Internationell politik 7,5 hp

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.

2. Policy Analysis and Public Administration 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 decentralization 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 policy analysis and public management theory can help us to understand political decision-making and power distribution among actors and over time. The course is dedicated to students who want to deepen their knowledge in the topics public policy; public administration; organisation theory, and implementation. A core idea is that good knowledge about these issues together with the capability to critically analyse and evaluate public policy and institutions is needed at the municipality and state levels, as well as the EU level of public administration.

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.

2. Gender and Politics in Comparative Perspective 7,5 credits

The course is offered during the autumn semester resources permitting.

Content

The course provides students with basic tools for analysing theoretical as well as empirical questions of gender and politics from a historical and global comparative perspective, with a certain emphasis on Sweden. Students are offered an introduction to central theories and concepts in gender theory relating to citizenship, political representation, and political economy, focusing on power and influence on societal as well as individual levels. The empirical parts of the course provide students with concrete examples of how such concepts and theories can be used to analyse politics from a gender perspective. We examine for example women's representation in terms of its historical development and significance for the development of democracy and policy, and global trends in labour market participation and conditions for making a living and organising care work. In addition, we discuss different policy instruments (family policy, quotas, etc.) for achieving gender equality.

Learning outcomes

After completion of the course the students are expected to:

• Be able to account for and critically discuss the central concepts and theories on gender, representation, and power that are introduced in the course
• Be able to describe and critically discuss empirical gender research on political actors, political processes and policy relating to gender quality in different parts of the world
• Independently be able to identify a question that is relevant for the course content, and discuss it from a gender perspective in a shorter course paper.

Teaching

The teaching consists of lectures and seminars. Seminars are compulsory, along with handing in preparatory assignments. Students are expected to independently study the course literature, preferably before the corresponding lecture and certainly before the corresponding seminar. The total time of study is expected to be around 40 hours per week. The course language is English.

Examination

Examination is done continuously throughout the course through compulsory seminar work that includes presence, active participation in discussions, and preparation of oral as well as written assignments. In the end of the course students write a final course paper that is discussed during a seminar and examined by the teacher. The course paper should address themes discussed in the course. The following grades will be applied: pass with distinction (VG), pass (G), and fail (U).

In order to pass the course the following is required:

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

2. (En)gendering Development: historical genealogies/contemporary convergences 7.5 credits

The course is offered during the spring semester resources permitting.

The central aim of this course is to provide an understanding of how specific historical events have shaped debates on development in colonial and post-colonial contexts. A unique contribution of this course is to relate historical processes to contemporary development concerns around gendered global inequalities, how these processes co-exist in contemporary societies and how structural processes impact on everyday lives of people. The course draws on literature from different sources and is not confined to mainstream academic literature. For example, we will look at news media, documentaries, movies, policy reports, biographical narratives and historical texts together with the assigned mandatory readings.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to:

• Understand how contemporary development interventions are shaped by historical processes of imperialism, colonialism and orientalism.
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of dominant (post)colonial paradigms and how they shape global understandings.
• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of key theoretical ideas by delving deeper into feminist postcolonial debates on coloniality of power
• Demonstrate ability to use their conceptual knowledge to re-think empirical case studies in historical and contemporary development contexts.
• Grasp seminal (post)colonial and decolonial feminist debates. Decoloniality is an epistemic, political and cultural movement for emancipation that draws attention to the fact that the achievements of modernity are inseparable from racism, hetero-patriarchy, economic exploitation and discrimination of non-European knowledge systems.
• Demonstrate knowledge of structural and symbolic forms of violence
• Understand the gendered violence(s) of development.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge on how development processes both alleviate suffering and impoverish livelihoods.

Content

The course is structured in the following way. We will analyse development issues, historically, conceptually and theoretically and then understand their (post)colonial continuities through an empirical case study. We will analyse historical continuities and convergences with contemporary events, ranging from global 'war on terror', the rise of new forms of nationalism, cycles of poverty and deprivation and armed conflict. Focusing primarily on the global South, the unit will draw empirical examples from Africa, the Middle East, South and South East Asia and Latin America. The course covers the themes of: Orientalism, Eroticism and Control of the 'Native'; Orientalism, Feminism and the 'War on Terror; Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAP); Structurally Adjusted Economies, Border Industries and Femicide; Population, Eugenics and Neoliberalism; Transnational Surrogacy, Global South and the Politics of Reproduction; Gender, Conflict and Migrant Border Crossings and Migrants, Hospitality and Hostility.

Instructions

The teaching consists of lectures and mandatory seminars. The course is taught in English.

Assessment

Students will be examined through a written exam. Grades are awarded according to the scale "failed", "pass" or "pass with distinction".

Course readings

The readings for the course consist of a large number of academic articles. Additional readings include news media items, documentaries, movies, policy reports, biographical narratives and historical texts

2. 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
• Populism and 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 (such as guest lectures - this is specified in the course description)
• 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.

2. Political Theory 7,5 credits

The course is offered during the autumn semester resources permitting.

Learning outcomes

Students are expected to learn the main theories in contemporary normative political philosophy. 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 citizenship, 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 normative thinking to issues of civic duty, gender equality and multiculturalism
• independently identify and discuss political conflicts, related to different normative principles
• be able to collect theoretical and empirical information in order to formulate normative arguments (in questions related to political ethics)
• 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 normative theories of distributive justice, such as utilitarianism, Rawls' liberal egalitarianism, and Nozick's libertarianism -as well as Marxism and post-Marxism.  The second part concerns the balance between autonomy and tolerance within liberal theory, as well as citizenship; how, for example, should the liberal state handle the increasingly heated issue of religious minorities and religion in the public sphere, and to what extent do citizens have a duty to vote and, in fact, vote well?  The third part revolves around identity and recognition, with a focus on 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 or English.

Assessment

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.

2. 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 logic of collective action problems, and 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.

2. Swedish Politics 7,5 credits

The course is offered during the spring semester resources permitting

The course is taught in Swedish.

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: the mobilization of the labor movement, the contemporary democratic system, and 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.

3. Bachelor's Thesis 15 credits

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".

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.