General provisions

The Department of History is responsible for the course. The course was approved by the board of the Department of History 2006-04-26 and by the Faculty of Arts 2007-01-23.

Entry requirements

Admission to a magister/master programme within the faculty of arts or a Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish degree of at least 180 credits (i.e. three years of full-time studies). Proficiency in English.

Learning outcomes

The course deals with the relationship between the development of the welfare state, the doctrine of neutrality and the formation of Swedish democracy. The Janus face of both neutrality and the welfare policy will be considered in the light of democratic development. The subject matter will be treated both theoretically and empirically in a historiographical context.

Content

Learning outcomes

The student will:

- obtain a broad knowledge of the historical development of Swedish democracy.

- acquire an understanding of the interrelationship between nationalism and democracy.

- gain insights into how welfare policy influenced democratic development.

- acquire an understanding of how neutrality influenced both the development of the welfare state and the democratic system.

- acquire an understanding of how modernism affected democratic developments.

Competences

The student will:

- obtain a critical awareness of the relationship between current events and the processes of the past.

- obtain extensive skills in problem identification and solving, communication, and knowledge sharing.

- acquire a concern for quality.

- develop an awareness of the fragility of democratic ideals and institutions.

Instruction

The course will consist of lectures and seminars and/or tutorials.

Assessment

Examination will include active participation in seminars, and writing and defending papers. Grades will be given in accordance with the Swedish grading system. The following grades will be used: Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Failed (U).

Other regulations

Employability

Graduates with a Master's degree in history will be employable in a wide variety of occupations. A Master in history provides a good basis for responsible positions in secondary and higher education (PhD programme), civil service on the local, regional and national levels, personnel management, journalism, international organisations, tourism as well as enhancing cultural heritage in its various manifestations including archives, museums and libraries.