Entry requirements

General entry requirements

Learning outcomes

After completing this course, students are expected to have a basic knowledge of:

• The Swedish political system, (constitutional structure, main political actors)
• Sweden's distinctive features regarding political participation, welfare state structure and gender policies
• The historical development of the Swedish political system
• The basic theoretical tools of comparative political analysis

Content

The course provides the students with basic knowledge of the Swedish political system, both on the input-side (political participation, political parties, other political actors), its structure (constitution, electoral system), and its output side (primarily welfare- and gender equality policies). It also discusses the historical development of these factors. In order to achieve this goal, the basic tools of comparative political analysis are also taught.

Instruction

The teaching consists of five lectures and two seminars on the topics mentioned above. The participants are further expected to study the literature in private, preferably before the corresponding lectures, and certainly before the seminars. The total time of study should be around 40 hours/ week.

Assessment

Unlike the lectures, the seminars are compulsory and form part of the examination. For the second seminar, the students will write a memo of four to five pages containing a comparison between one of the traits of the Swedish political system discussed during the course, with the same institutions or phenomena in their own country of origin. Students not participating in the first seminar are expected to compensate for their absence by answering the seminar questions in writing on a minimum of five pages within a three-month period from the seminar date. Students not participating for the second seminar will compensate by writing a memo of 8-10 pages, no later than three months after the completion of the course. The course ends with a final, written four-hour test covering the course literature. Having passed this test and the two seminars, the student has fulfiled the obligations of the course and will receive 7.5 ECTS credits, and a grade based on how their score at the exam. The grades will be according to either the Swedish system, or the ECTS-system, depending on the students preferences.

Course level in relation to degree requirements

The course is primarily based on course literature and some shorter scientific texts. At the following levels research books and more advanced scientific reports are introduced. The intention is to give the students an introduction to Swedish Politics, and to equip them with the necessary tools of comparative political analysis. Concerning skills practice the most important thing in this course is the development of the writing ability in the form of a short essay. The first opportunity to practise the speaking ability is given during the seminars.

Other regulations

For exchange students only.