Örebro university - Course Syllabus SK004G

This course syllabus is discontinued or replaced by a new course syllabus.

School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences

Course Syllabus

Swedish Politics and Policy, 7.5 Credits


Course Code:	SK004G	Subject Area:	Field of Social Science
Main Field of Study:	Political Science	Credits:	7.5
		Subject Group (SCB):	Political Science
Education Cycle:	First Cycle	Progression:	GXX
Established:	2014-12-11	Last Approved:	2018-03-27
Valid from:	Autumn semester 2018	Approved by:	Head of School

Aims and Objectives

General aims for first cycle education

First-cycle courses and study programmes shall develop:
- the ability of students to make independent and critical assessments
- the ability of students to identify, formulate and solve problems autonomously, and
- the preparedness of students to deal with changes in working life.

In addition to knowledge and skills in their field of study, students shall develop the ability to:
- gather and interpret information at a scholarly level
- stay abreast of the development of knowledge, and
- communicate their knowledge to others, including those who lack specialist knowledge in the field.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 8)

Course Objectives

Knowledge and understanding
After completed studies, the student shall be able to show
- basic knowledge of the Swedish political system,
- basic knowledge of Swedish welfare policy, environmental policy, foreign- and security policy and gender equality policy,
- understanding of important aspects of Swedish political culture, and
- understanding of the meaning of a gender perspective on Swedish politics.

Competence and skills
After completed studies, the student shall be able to show
- basic skill in written assessment of the Swedish political system and different policy areas, and
- ability to make oral presentations.

Judgement and approach
After completed studies, the student shall be able to show
- ability to differentiate effects of changes in Swedish politics, and
- an analytical perspective in comparisons between Swedish policy and conditions in the students native country.

Main Content of the Course

This is a basic course that gives a general introductory understanding of Swedish politics and policymaking of today. The course also deals with important changes over time. Three themes of particular importance are:
1/ Basic principles and patterns in the Swedish political system and politics, for example consensus, electoral system, and the relation between central and local politics. The autonomy of the local level and its role in implementation of welfare policy.
2/ Changes of political steering and new perspectives of the role of the citizen.
3/ Swedish policy areas such as welfare, environment, foreign and security policy, and gender equality.

Teaching Methods

Teaching may be conducted in the form of lectures and seminars.

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.

Examination Methods

Examination, 7.5 Credits. (Code: 0100)
Written assignment and compulsory component in the form of participation in seminars.

Examination deadline
If the deadline for the examination is exceeded, the examiner will decide how the examination should be conducted and, when applicable, set the time frame for it.

Supplementary assignments for a passing grade
The examiner may decide that a student who has not received a passing grade for the course may submit supplementary assignments instead of taking a re-examination. Supplementary assignments should be submitted to the lecturer within one week after the student is notified of the failing grade.

Absence from compulsory components of the course
Upon absence from compulsory components, the university's general rules for re-examination apply. If there are special reasons to deviate from the time frame, the examiner decides when the compulsory component should be carried out. However, the examiner can decide that a make-up assignment should be given.

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

Grades

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

According to regulations on grading systems for first- and second-cycle education (vice-chancellor's decision 2010-10-19, reg. no. CF 12-540/2010), one of the following grades is to be used: fail, pass, or pass with distinction. The vice-chancellor or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special reasons.

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

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

The grades will be translated to the ECTS grading scale.

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

Specific entry requirements

Standard university admission requirements.

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

Transfer of Credits for Previous Studies

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).

Other Provisions

This course is given in English

Transitional Provisions

Should the course undergo changes to such an extent that it is not possible to examine the student in accordance with this course syllabus, opportunities for special examination sessions will be provided in accordance with the university's local guidelines. If this occurs, the university will inform the students involved.

Reading List and Other Teaching Materials

Required Reading

Andersson, Renée & Hedlund, Gun (2011)
"Gender Mainstreaming and Local Politics". In Lindholm, Kristina (ed) Gender mainstreaming in public sector organisations: policy implications and practical applications
Lund: Studentlitteratur

Brommesson, Douglas (2010)
Normative Europeanization: The case of Swedish foreign policy reorientation in Cooperation and Conflict 45 (2)

Elander, Ingemar (2002)
"Partnership and Urban Governance" in International Social Science Journal, 54 (172)

Elander, Ingemar & Fridolfsson, Charlotte (2012)
"Faith-based organizations and welfare state retrenchment in Sweden: substitute or complement?" in Politics and Religion, 5(3)

Esping-Andersen, Gösta (1992)
"The Making of a Social Democratic Welfare State" in Misgeld, Klaus, Karl Molin & Klas Åsmark: Creating Social Democracy. A Century of the Social Democratic Labor Party in Sweden
Pennsylvania: Tha Pennsylvania State University Press

Gustavsson, Eva, Elander, Ingemar & Lundmark, Mats (2009)
Multilevel governance, networking cities and the geography of climate-change mitigation: two Swedish examples. Environment and Planning 27(1)

Hedlund, Gun (2011)
"New public management and gender in Swedish local government". In: Barbara Pini, Paula McDonald (eds.), Women and representation in local government: international case studies
London: Routledge

Hobson, Barbara (2003)
"The Individualised Worker, the Gender Participatory and Gender Equity Models in Sweden" in Social Policy and Society 3:1

Larsson, Torbjörn & Bäck, Henry (2008)
Governing and Governance in Sweden
Lund: Studentlitteratur

Lidskog, Rolf & Elander, Ingemar (2012)
"Ecological modernisation in practice?: the case of sustainable development in Sweden" in Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, 14(4)

Additions and Comments on the Reading List

Ytterligare kurslitteratur om ca 150 sidor tillkommer / Literature of approx.150 pages will be added to the reading list.

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