Political Science in English I
Are you interested in how politics work? Political science provides knowledge of key political issues and concepts. What is power? What is democracy? What is a citizen? You will learn more about ideas, institutions, and processes in political theory, Swedish politics, comparative politics, and international politics.
Political science is the study of politics. Political Science I provides a broad introduction to the subject. The aim of the teaching is to stimulate independent analyses and a problematising approach to political phenomena. The course will provide knowledge of essential political problems and concepts. It will deal with ideas, institutions and processes in the course parts political theory, Swedish politics and public administration, comparative politics, and international politics. The knowledge of politics will be put in a scientific context and discussed from different theoretical perspectives. The course will introduce tools for the students to use for independently interpreting, scrutinising and evaluating scientific results.
-
Course structure
The course comprises four course modules.
Modules
Political Theory, 7.5 credits
The course offers an introduction to the study of political theory. The course is thematic, focusing on central concepts and problems from a contemporary as well as historical perspective. Influential and contrasting theories about democracy, freedom, justice, power, gender, multiculturalism and globalization are explained and discussed. The course emphasizes independent analysis and evaluation of theoretical texts and political-theoretical arguments.
Swedish Politics, 7.5 credits
With the Swedish political system as a starting point the basis for the course will be an analysis of the distribution of formal and informal political power and how the constitutional ideals are implemented inreality in a Western democracy. The emphasis will be on institutions and structures such as the constitution, the electoral system, the government and the parliament, local and regional government, the political parties, the mass media, the interest groups, the idea of democracy and ways and means for citizens to participate in the decision making process. Furthermore, the relations between the EU institutions and the Swedish government will be highlighted.
Comparative Politics, 7.5 credits
The course module aims at providing an introduction to the field of comparative politics. Key theoretical perspectives and basic concepts within the field are taken up. Different political systems - in relation to formal political institutions and informal aspects of the political order - are presented, discussed and compared. Issues of identity as well as the position of nation-states in a global context are also dealt with. The course module includes an introduction to comparative method and to sources of knowledge about political systems.
International Politics, 7.5 credits
The course part gives an introduction to the study of international politics, international conflicts and international cooperation as theoretical problems. Theoretical perspectives and concepts in the study of international politics are discussed, as well as perspectives on systems and actors in the analyses of international politics. The course part also deals with international conflicts and cooperation in world politics in the 20th century, in addition to issues of development and international political economy. Finally, subjects such as the EU as a global actor, the design and methods of international organisations, and the tendencies of change in the international system will be discussed.
Teaching format
The course is based on lectures and seminars.
Assessment
The types of examination vary depending on the course module.
-
Schedule
This is a preliminary schedule and is subject to continuous change. For this reason, we do not recommend print-outs. At the start of the course, your institution will advise where you can find your schedule during the course. -
Course literature
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course. -
Meet us
Meet our teachers
Our teachers includes experts on a wide range of topics within the subject and are constantly keeping themselves updated within their fields of specialisation in order to be able to pass on their expertise to you as a student. Learn more
-
Contact
Student counsellor
studievagledare@statsvet.su.seStudent office
studentexpedition@statsvet.su.se
