Entry requirements

90 credits in political science (A+B+C) or the equivalent and 30 credits in social sciences, or 90 credits in social and political studies (A+B+C) and 60 credits in political science. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. Students within the Master's Programme in Political science are required to have obtained at least 15 credits within the programme

Learning outcomes

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

1. Understand, summarise and discuss different concepts, theories and characteristics of the state, and the challenges posed by internal conflict, clan societies, and migration 
2. Know and evaluate different normative and empirical positions on the state in relation to internal conflict, clan societies, and migration 
3. Analyse a particular normative or empirical problem in relation to the state and its challenges
4. Present and discuss scholarly work in the field with their peers

    

Content

The state is perhaps the most central concept in political science. But what is the state? This course focuses on different theories of the state, and examines their limits and potential vis-à-vis new political challenges, such as new wars, clan societies and migration. To begin with, the course focuses on the state itself, both from a historical and a contemporary perspective. What is the state? What different theories are there about the state?

We address the characteristics of the modern state - its monopoly on violence, its claim to sovereignty, and shared ideas about community - and ask how these characteristics are challenged. We devote much energy to trying to understand Thomas Hobbes's theory. In light of the normative principles developed in his theory, we explore the fundamental issue of political obligation, the obligation to obey the laws and authorities, and learn more about certain weak and failed states, as well as stateless societies. By focusing on such areas and problems, we apply and rediscover normative theory in light of the complexity of the real world.

We discuss the normative systems underlying the organised violence employed by states and others. Questions to be addressed include: Who wages war against whom, and for whom is it done? When can one say that a particular state has failed in its capacity as a state? How can and should one combat aggressors that are neither states nor conform to the laws regulating war, such as terrorists? In what way do movements operating across borders (e.g., as illegal aliens or as domestic supporters of terrorist movements), as well as the development of military technology such as drones, pose a threat to states and nations? Should the nature and task of the state be rethought in light of these new political challenges? 

Moreover, we explore the connection between statehood and migration. What does the increasing number of "illegal" migrants, asylum seekers and de facto stateless persons around the world tell us about state sovereignty as the guiding principle in domestic and international politics? Does the attempt to protect these groups through what Hannah Arendt calls "the right to have rights" challenge or confirm the state as the guarantor of human dignity and rule of law? Is there a tradeoff between the rights of citizens and the rights of migrants, or do they go hand in hand? More generally, should the nature and task of the state be rethought in light of these new political challenges? 

Instruction

The course consists of lectures and seminars. The teaching will mainly be based on seminars, which means that all participants are required to take active part in seminar discussions. In addition, the course includes the writing of a short weekly paper and/or an oral presentation, as well as a final paper. One session will be dedicated to the final papers, in which all students will discuss a final paper of one of their fellows. The language of instruction is in principle English.

Electronic devices (computers, mobile phones, tablets etc.) are NOT used during seminars. Students may, but are discouraged to, use such devices when taking notes during lectures. Moreover, in order to perform in accordance with the required standards, students are strongly recommended to bring all the discussed literature - printed on paper - to the seminars. Students unwilling to buy the books or borrow them from the library, and print the texts, are not encouraged to apply.

Assessment

Examination is based upon participation in lectures and seminars, which are compulsory, and upon the assessment of a written seminar paper. The seminar paper should be 10-12 pages long, font 12, 1 ½ line. The following grades will be applied: passed with distinction (VG), passed (G) and failed (U). The course grade will reflect students' performance with regard to all these requirements. In order to pass, all students are required to participate actively at seminars and hand in all assignments. The course paper will be decisive for the final grade. However, all contributions made during the course will be taken into account.

When assessing the students' performance with regard to the final paper, the most important criteria for grading are: 1) relating the normative or empirical problem to the positions in the literature, 2) independent and critical analysis, 3) the design, structure and clarity of the analysis. A typical VG does not only include a correct and thorough presentation and reflection on the relevant literature, but also includes an independent and sophisticated analysis of a chosen topic. A straightforward design, in which a research question guides the entire essay and is consistently and critically assessed in relation to the course literature, is also a typical feature of a VG paper. 

The course attaches great significance to active discussion as an element of a vivid seminar conversation. Absence from seminars can hence only to a very small degree be compensated for by written supplemental assignments. Given the focus on rational assessment of complex normative, theoretical and empirical questions, and in accordance with the requirements of the course, the language of the students' memos and papers must be grammatically correct and precise - regardless of whether the student writes in Swedish or in English. Students considering to apply for the course should be mindful of these requirements, and should reflect on their ability to fulfil them.

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