Entry requirements

This course is taught for exchange students.

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 lectures and seminars. 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, that is, presence and active participation is required. Should any student miss a seminar, for whatever reason, they must compensate for this in accordance with what is stated below.

Students not participating in the first and second seminar are expected to compensate for their absence by answering the seminar questions in writing on a minimum of eight pages (Times New Roman, 12 pts., 1.5 spacing) within a three-month period from the seminar date.

The course ends with a final, four-hour written test covering the course literature. Should you miss this test due to illness, or simply fail to pass the exam, there is one re-exam this semester, and additional exams next semester (although some of the literature may have changed by then). Should you already have left Sweden by that time, there is a possibility to take the exam at a distance, at your home university, contact the student office of the Department of Government for details on this.

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 they score at the exam. The grades will be according to either the Swedish system, or the ECTS-system, depending on the student's preferences.

The maximum score on the exam is 40 points. A score of 20 is required to pass the exam. Using the ECTS-system, you need 50% (20 points) for an E, 55% (22 points) for a D, 61% (24.5 points) for a C, 75% (30 points) for a B, and 90% (36 points or above) for an A. Using the Swedish system, the limits are 50% (20 points) for a G, that is, a "pass", and 75% (30 points) for a VG, that is, a "pass with distinction".

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.