Entry requirements

General entry requirements and Social Studies 1b/1a1+1a2 or Civics A

Learning outcomes

On completion of the A course in Political Science the students are expected to:

Be able to present and discuss:

• the history of political ideas and the results of them;
• the political government, public administration and the main features of the official political life in Sweden and other countries;
• variations in political participation;
• the political problems of the developing countries and new democracies;
• the development of international politics during the 20th century;
• the development of the European Union and the role of Sweden on the international arena.

Participate actively and independently in seminar discussions and to give some short presentations of their own. Produce written course papers that treat defined research problems and in connection therewith:

• have practiced the application of a scientific approach to sources and source material;
• understand the value of, and bases for, good argumentation;
• be able to distinguish between theoretical literature and empirical findings;
• be able to separate personal opinions from the independent conclusions to be drawn from a source material;
• be familiar with the basics of source references.

The course is primarily based on textbooks and shorter scientific texts. The intention is to give the students an introduction to different research fields of political science and to present some of the research methods used. Much weight is placed on making the students realise what independent and critical thinking means, and to equip them with the necessary tools to evaluate conclusions and arguments. Concerning skills practice the most important thing in this course is the development of the writing ability in the form of written seminar reports and final papers. The first opportunity to practice the speaking ability is given during the seminars and is then further developed within courses at more advanced levels.

Content

The course consists of five sub-courses: Political Theory, State Formation, Citizens and Society, Public Administration, and International Politics.

Political Theory, 3 credits

Purpose

The aim of the course is to make students acquainted with some elements of political thought and political theory. The student is to acquire the capacity to interpret and assess political ideas in an independent manner, in some cases through the reading of classic sources. On the one hand, the purpose is to try to understand what may appear strange (or insidiously familiar); on the other hand, we aim to judge the truth and fecundity of the texts and arguments that we encounter.

Content

The course is structured by a series of lectures on political thought from Antiquity to the modern age. During the lectures, the students will encounter important political and theoretical traditions and thinkers that have shaped our understanding of the things that are considered important in political theory. In this context, some fundamental political concepts are introduced, such as state, society, political obligation, virtue, constitutionalism, democracy, liberty, justice and dignity. Svante Nordin’s textbook Det politiska tänkandets historia serves as a supplement. This is also true of the other textbook, Johan Tralau’s Inbjudan till politisk teori, which is about what one does when doing political theory. The lectures are intended to serve as an invitation to the students to engage and address the classic ideas and texts of political theory. Some of these are given particular attention. It must also be emphasised that the lectures provides guidelines to how one is to read the literature and deal with the seminar assignments.

The course is thus concerned with the individual and independent reading of classics. This year, we read excerpts from Plato’s Republic, thus giving the students the opportunity to reflect on the role of political thinking and the rational enquiry into right and wrong. The major part of the literature consists of shorter excerpts, mainly from the volume Tretton texter i politisk teori.

The most important element of the course is to be found in the seminars and in the writing of a short scholarly text, a memo. During the seminars, the students have the task to reflect on and evaluate ideas that are not their own. This implies that the history of political thought and the interpretation of this tradition on the one hand, and normative judgements about right and wrong in political and moral issues on the other hand, are considered to belong together. The students are supposed to transcend their own horizon by trying to understand and defend different political ideas that are developed in the required reading.

Teaching

The course consists of lectures, a lesson and seminars; the students prepare the lesson and the two first seminars by reading all of the required literature and reflecting on the questions that they are assigned. The students are expected to bring the literature to the seminars and to be able to look up the relevant passages that are under discussion. At a third seminar, the group discusses each student’s memo.

Examination

For the note, the student needs to pass the written exam, to take part in the seminars in an active manner, and to pass the memo written for the third seminar. In order to pass the memo, the student needs to make an argument about issues pertaining to principles and problems of interpretation based on the literature, the lectures and the seminars – in an independent manner, yet avoiding the pitfall of mere opinion.

Written exam Political Theory, 3 credits

The course ends with a written examination, which serves both as basis for grading, and an opportunity for the student to rehearse the content of the course.

Grades awarded for the examination: Fail (U) - Pass (G) - Pass with Distinction (VG).

State Formation, 2 credits

Goals

This course provides students with a holistic understanding of political systems in general. The course is designed to provide students with the basic terminology, theories and methods within the field state formation; this includes an understanding of the division of power (horizontal and vertical), the function of different political institutions, state-building and policy implementation. The course also aims to provide students with knowledge of Swedish political history. The course has an explicit comparative approach and the course pays special attention to the European Union.

Contents

The course examines political institutions by analysing the roles of the legislative, judicial and executive branches of government as well as the construction of the state and the implementation of policy. The development of the Swedish political system is thoroughly reviewed as is the European Union.

Examination

The students are required to display active participation in the seminars given and to submit written assignments. The students are expected to produce a course paper, connected to the course literature but with free choice of subject, as well as acting as both respondent and opponent at course paper seminars.

Grades awarded for the seminars (including the course paper): Fail (U) – Pass (G). In order to obtain the grade Pass, active participation is required.

Written exam State Formation and Citizens and Society

Written examination, which serves both as basis for grading, and an opportunity for the student to rehearse the content of the courses.

Grades awarded for the written examination: Fail (U) - Pass (G) - Pass with Distinction (VG).

Citizens and the Society, 2 credits

Goals

The objectives of this basic level course are to provide students with an orientation in the basic terminology, theories and methods within central areas of political science research as well as the presentation of research results from essential research fields such as: democratisation processes; political parties; political participation and political culture. It is intended that this course should be broad, with the objectives of providing students with elementary political science knowledge and skills which will create the basis for later continuation and specialisation courses within a number of areas. The aim is to train and develop the students' own analytical and reflection skills through both the participation in seminar discussions and the production of short analytical texts in collaboration with others.

Contents

This course is based on a holistic perspective of politics and political systems and has the expressed aim of being comparative. With its starting points in citizens’ roles, political culture and political participation the course focuses on democracy and democratisation processes, the organised citizen society in the form of political parties, and interest groups together with other channels of influence such as the media. The course concentrates on empirical data using examples from states in different areas of the world as well as Sweden. The themes that have been introduced in this course will return at the higher levels.

Teaching

The teaching is given in the form of lectures and seminars. In addition there may be additional lectures by guest lecturers concerning topical empirical or theoretical themes.

Examination

The students are required to display active participation in the seminars given and to submit written assignments. The students are expected to produce a course paper, connected to the course literature but with free choice of topic, as well as acting as both respondent and opponent at course paper seminars.

Grades awarded for the seminars (including the course paper): Fail (U) – Pass (G). In order to obtain the grade Pass, active participation is required.

Written exam Citizens and Society; State Formation, 8 credits

Written examination, which serves both as basis for grading, and an opportunity for the student to rehearse the content of the courses.

Grades awarded for the written examination: Fail (U) - Pass (G) - Pass with Distinction (VG).

Public Administration, 2 credits

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course the students are expected to:

• understand the role and function of the public administration,
• have an extended comprehension of central characteristics of the Swedish public administration, i.e. have acquired a thorough familiarity of the organisation of the public administration,
• be able to interpret and apply public administration concepts, ideas, and notions on political processes and developments,
• be able to problematise the relationship between power and responsibility within the public administration,
• have a basic understanding of how to apply a critical perspective on the study of politics and administration.

Contents

Public administration policy is entails ideas and measures directed towards the organisation and working methods of the public sector. During the course some of these measures will be presented and discussed. The point of departure is that the success or failure of public administration policies has a decisive significance on the preparation and carrying out of other policy programs and reforms. Hence, the central focus is on classical problems within political science such as the organisation of government. The literature mainly deals with the Swedish case, but international contrasts will be made during the course.

Instructions

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars and the writing of a short paper. The lectures focus the central themes of the course, and contextualise selected elements of the course literature. At the seminars the students are expected to have prepared answers to the questions to be discussed. For the third seminar meeting, a paper should be submitted. Language of instruction is Swedish.

Examination

The students are examined by means of a written exam, participation at seminars and a short paper for the last seminar. The written exam will take place at the end of the semester (together with the course International politics).

Grades awarded for the seminars (including the written paper): Fail (U) – Pass (G). Grades awarded for the written exam: Fail (U) – Pass (G) – Pass with distinction (Vg).

International Politics, 2 credits

Goals

This course provides students with an overview of the field of international politics and enhances understanding of contemporary global issues and challenges. The course is designed to provide students with opportunities to develop basic communication (speaking, writing in active seminar participation), research, and analytical skills. The course prepares students for intermediate (B) studies in this subfield and contributes to preparing students for higher levels studies and professional employment.

Contents

The course focuses on the development of international politics in the 20th and 21st century, with a special emphasis on the European experiences. A number of central theoretical traditions and perspectives on international politics are introduced including: realism, liberalism, constructivism, gender perspectives. In addition key problems and processes of international politics such as security, conflict, cooperation, integration, and foreign policymaking will be presented.

Instruction

The instruction for this course consists of lectures and seminars.

Examination

Active participation in seminars is required. Grades awarded for the seminars: Fail (U) - Pass (G). The course ends with a written examination.

Written exam Public Administration; International Politics, 8 credits

Written examination, which serves both as basis for grading, and an opportunity for the student to rehearse the content of the courses.

Grades awarded for the written examination: Fail (U) - Pass (G) - Pass with Distinction (VG).

Instruction

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars and the writing of a course paper. Questions to be discussed, should be prepared for the seminar meetings by the students. Active participation in seminars is required. Grading is based on the student's ability to reason about relevant problems from the course literature, the lectures and the discussions in the seminar.

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

Assessment

The students are examined by means of written exams, participation at seminars and short papers. Grades are awarded according the scale “failed”, "pass" or "pass with distinction".

Other directives

This course may be included in the Bachelor's Programme in Political Sciences, the Social Science Programme as well as being a separate single subject course in a Bachelor Degree. This course can not be included in a Bachelor's Degree along with Social and Political Studies AB: Political Science 15 credits.