Approaches to Political Science, 15 Credits

Contents

The aim is to deepen the student's knowledge and understanding of current theoretical approaches in political science. The course will contribute both to a broad knowledge of theories in the field of political science and to individual specialization. Different theoretical approaches will be studied as well as their empirical application. Particular emphasis is placed on comparing approaches . The course encourages a critical and problematizing approach to theory.

Expected learning outcomes

In order to pass this course the student should, as far as knowledge and understanding are concerned, be able to:

• in a critical and initiated way account for the main theoretical approaches that are used in contemporary political science
• have advanced knowledge in one or several theoretical approaches in political science with particular relevance for the student's own research area
• be able to take a critical stance to both established and new theoretical approaches

In order to pass this course the student should, as far as skills and abilities are concerned, be able to:

• present theories in a clear and convincing way
• be able to critically discuss another student's theory paper and place others' research in a broader theoretical perspective

Required Knowledge

Political Science, 90 credits or Peace and Conflict Studies, 90 credits including an individual thesis of 15 credits., . Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish Upper Secondary course English 6.

Form of instruction

The course consists of six sections. Each section is devoted to a particular theoretical approach. Each section consists of a presentation and a seminar. One or several students are in charge of the section, providing both the presentation and chairing the seminar. Guest researchers may be used as a complement. Comparisons are made successively during the course. Each student writes an individual theory paper that is examined during a final seminar, in which one other student act as discussant.

Examination modes

The course is examined by:·

• Active participation in all compulsory seminars (Fail or Pass)  
• An oral presentation of an analytical approach (Fail or Pass)
• Chairing a seminar (Fail or Pass)
• An individual written assignment that is presented in two workshops (Fail or Pass) and at the final seminar (Fail, Pass or Pass with distinction).

A final grade is given when students have completed and passed all assignments. Grades are Fail (Underkänd, U), Pass (Godkänd, VG) or Pass with distinction (Väl Godkänd, VG). The following is required for Pass: participation in the compulsory seminars (Pass); presentation of an analytical approach (Pass); chairing a seminar (Pass), presenting work in progress on the individual written assignment at two workshops (Pass) and the individual written assignment (Pass). The following is required for Pass with distinction: participation in the compulsory seminars (Pass); presentation of an analytical approach (Pass); chairing a seminar (Pass), presenting work in progress on the individual written assignment at two workshops (Pass) and individual written assignment (Pass with distinction).

General rules with regard to examination
A student who does not meet the requirements to pass an examination can, if decided by the course instructor, be given a complementary assignment to reach the requirements to pass the examination. The complementary assignment can be individually modified to the specific requirements that the student has failed to reach, but the assignment must be of corresponding proportion to the original examination.
 
Ordinarily, the complementary assignment is given at the end of the course or when the grades at the original examination is announced. When the student has been given the complementary assignment, he/she should finish the assignment within ten days (not including weekends and holidays). If the student fail to finish the assignment within the required time, a new complementary assignment can only be given the next time the course is arranged, or during the two weeks of re-take exams the Department arranges every year during week 34 and 35.
 
If it is not possible to do complementary assignments (if so, it is stated next to each individual examination above), the student is required to do a re-take exam. The first re-take exam should be given two months after the original examination, at the latest, but no sooner than ten days after the grade on the original examination has been given (not including weekends and holidays). If the examination is given during May or June, the first re-take exam should be given no later than three months after the original examination. Two weeks of re-take exams are also arranged every year, which means complementary assignments are treated during this time independently of when the course was given. These weeks are arranged during week 34 and 35.
 
Students who fail an examination may retake that examination. A student has the right to request a new examiner if he/she fails two sub-course examinations (i.e. an examination and a re-take). In such cases students should contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies (Studierektor). Examination in accordance with the same syllabus as during the original examination can be guaranteed for up to two years after the student's first registration.

The appointed examiner may decide to use other forms of examination if required by particular circumstances.

Credit Transfer
Students who wish to transfer credits from other Departments or universities (Swedish or foreign) should do so in accordance to the Principal's decision "Tillgodoräknandeordning vid Umeå universitet (Dnr. 545-3317-02)".

The application must be submitted in written form. The request should specify which module or course the request applies to. An official transcript should also be submitted. The transcript must include the following information: where and when the course was given, the discipline and level of the course, total course credits and grade received. A syllabus describing the course and a list of required readings should be submitted with the request. Where applicable, written research papers should also be submitted.
 
Upon completion of this course, the credits can be transferred to a selective course. However it is always the responsible Department or program that determines the possibility for credit transfers and the extent of the credit transfer. The student should therefore always contact the responsible Department or program before submitting an application for credit transfers.

Other regulations

At the end of the course, the student has the opportunity to make a written and anonymous evaluation of the course. During the course, student councils (kursråd) with an evaluative purpose are held a.