School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences

Course Syllabus

General Aims for Second Level Education

Second level education shall involve a deepening of knowledge, skills and abilities relative to first level education and, in addition to what applies to first level education, shall
- further develop the students' ability to independently integrate and use knowledge;
- develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations; and
- develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable independence or for research and development work.
(Chapter 1, Section 9, Higher Education Act)

On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- contribute to basic knowledge in how politics and administration work in a changing world characterised by globalisation and digitalisation;
- understand the national and international development within the field as well as being able to analyse how important trends of today, in particular modern information- and communication technologies, are influencing politics and public administration (e-voting, e-democracy experiments, e-government services etc.)

This module is focusing on the organisation of political systems in terms of institutions such as parliaments, governments, bureaucracies, but also on forms of regulations and policy creation (legislation and the policy process). Special attention is given to how these political institutions and processes are depending on a national context (political culture, civic society and democracy) as well as are influenced by important changes like globalisation and digitalisation. An important theme is also the multi-level character of late-modern policy-making (local government, state-level and the European Union). The aim of the module is also to provide an introduction to international politics in the age of globalisation. In a global world with intensive interdependence politically and economically, the interplay between states is not less important, but rather more complicated and at the same time even more important and interesting.

Teaching activities on the course are lectures, preparations in small student groups and seminars. Participation in student group work and seminars are compulsory.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Unless otherwise prescribed in the course syllabus, a grade is to be awarded on completion of a course. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the higher education institution (an examiner) (Chapter 6, Section 18, Higher Education Ordinance).

Unless the higher education institution prescribes another grading system, one of the following grades is to be used: fail, pass, or pass with distinction (Chapter 6, Section 19, Higher Education Ordinance).

Grades used on course are Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

90 ECTS credits within one major subject: basic, intermediate and advanced course.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Students admitted to the programme Electronic government are guaranteed a place on the course. Other applicants will not be admitted.

Re-examination:
1. A student who has failed the examination has the right to a re-examination. Normally an additional opportunity is given some time after the ordinary examination.
2. For a course that is discontinued or significantly changed in content or scope, there will be provision for a re-examination on three occasions within 18 months after the change has been made.
3. Students who have failed an examination for a certain course or part of course on two occasions have the right to request the head of the department to appoint another examiner.
4. A student who has been awarded the grade Pass on a specific examination may not take a new exam in order to achieve the grade Pass with Distinction.


Reading List and Other Teaching Materials

Required Reading

Scientific articles and report, about 200 pages.

See this Course Syllabus as PDF