Sweden in the EU - Academic Perspectives and Competitive Intelligence, 15 Credits

Contents

The course analyses the debate about EU's future development, as well as questions about the impact of EU membership on Swedish democracy and constitutional practice, not least the regarding the parliament (the Riksdag) and the political parties. It provides an opportunity to do research on Swedish democracy within the European Union. During the course, students are given the opportunity to write a short essay in the format of a journal articles in a chosen area. This area of in-depth study is chosen by the teacher after consultation with the student. The focus of the article should be on one of more of the themes mentioned in this syllabus, and the study should be designed as a study of multi-level governance and "government in governance". This may include local, national, European and / or global level, as well as party politics, voters and/or administrative management. The essay should include a review of previous research and of current scientific articles in political science journals. It should also have an explicit empirical content.

The essay should cover no more than 75 000 characters, including spaces. It should also be written according to the author's instructions for a specific scientific journal, one that has been chosen in consultation with the teacher.

On the basis of the research for the article, the student should conduct a scenario analysis using the so-called back-casting technology. This should be presented in summary form on an A4 page and with an oral presentation, which covers approximately 15 minutes.

In as far as possible, the course and the final presentation is given in collaboration with stakeholders and partners in the workplace.

Expected learning outcomes

After the course the student should be able to:

1. Knowledge and understanding

• demonstrate a critical and investigative approach towards central issues in political science regarding the debate on the future of Europe and on the changes in Swedish constitutional practice in recent decades,
• demonstrate a critical perspective and a problem solving approach relative to relevant political science theories in the study area,
• describe and discuss the overall features of the current research on national and especially Swedish democracy within the EU,
• identify and analyze theoretical arguments within a specific chosen study area within the theme of national and especially the Swedish democracy within the EU. This area of in-depth specialization is selected by the teacher after consultation with the student,
• identify and explain major empirical results within the chosen area of study.

2. Skills and abilities

• both orally and in writing compare, analyze and critically evaluate theories and empirical studies on national and especially Swedish democracy within the EU,
• in an essay in journal article format demonstrate the ability to synthesize theories and research in the chosen area of study, and to identify and apply a theoretical framework to the analysis of a specific empirical problem; and in the process demonstrate the ability to present her or his own analysis in a relevant and compelling way within a specified time frame,
• conduct a competitive analysis investigation with elements of the so-called back-casting approach and thereby identify and propose appropriate reforms and practical solutions within the chosen area of study, and
• demonstrate the ability to perform a critical and constructive review of other student work, as well as to situate this review in the context of theoretical and empirical research.

3. Judgement and approach

• critically evaluate theoretical assumptions and empirical results in studies of Swedish democracy in the EU in general and in the chosen area of study in particular,
• compare, assess and evaluate methods within the chosen area of study,
• demonstrate an in-depth ability to reflect on trends and likely future developments within the area chosen for the in-depth study.

Required Knowledge

90 credits including an independent thesis in Political Science, Peace and Conflict Studies or equivalent. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish Upper Secondary course English A. Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.

Form of instruction

The course consists of lectures and seminars, at least one which is compulsory and graded Pass/Fail. The course also has an element of guest lectures from practitioners. It also provides in-depth training in independent academic research, academic writing and scenario analysis. The results are reported in an individual academic paper and an oral presentation, preferably attended by practitioners and/or stakeholders. If resources are available, there can also be study visits in the field, to conferences and workshops.

At least two tutoring sessions for the paper are given during the course. In the examination, the student serves as a discussant on at least one other student paper.

The course language is English. However, the course can be given mostly in Swedish if only Swedish speaking students take the course.

Examination modes

The overall assessment of the student's achievements and the final grade for the course are based on the individually written essay in the form of articles (75% of the final grade), the concluding presentation (10%) and well-prepared and active participation in the mandatory seminar(s) (15%).

A passing grade requires that all compulsory parts have been are approved. The course as a whole is graded on the scale: U (Fail), G (Pass) and VG (Pass with Distinction).

General rules regarding 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.

Transfer of Credits
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

A written and anonymous course evaluation is given at the end of the course. During the course an oral evaluation is also arranged, and the student can also anonymously submit thoughts and opinions in digital form.