The Political Climate in Europe, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The course lies within the field of political sociology. More specifically, the course aims to improve students’ knowledge about the socio-economic and socio-cultural cleavages that characterize the political climate in Europe today. The goal is to promote understanding of why certain political issues and attitudes dominate at a particular historical moment and in a certain social context. The content of the course is both theoretical and empirical and focuses on explanations of and processes associated with dominant cleavages, including the role of identity and material conditions. The course also provides opportunities to discuss different methodological approaches to research questions, such as the potential benefits of and problems associated with both case studies and cross-national analyses.

Expected learning outcomes

In regards to comprehension and knowledge, on successful completion of the course, the student will have:
•    Gained greater knowledge of the central political cleavages in Europe today. 
•    Developed an understanding of different processes associated with and explanations of central political cleavages in Europe today. 
•    Gained knowledge about the different methods that can be used in the study of political cleavages, including an understanding of the methods’ strengths and weaknesses in relation to specific areas of research.

In regards to ability and proficiency, on successful completion of the course, the student will have: 
•    Demonstrated analytical skills regarding the use of theories, arguments, and empirical results within the area of political sociology and in the study of political cleavages in Europe. 
•    Developed research skills within the field of political sociology by identifying and synthesizing relevant knowledge concerning political cleavages in Europe as well as planning and carrying out related research in the form of a final paper. 

Concerning the logic of inquiry, on successful completion of the course, the student will have:
•    Demonstrated the ability to identify relevant research questions in relation to political cleavages in Europe, 
•    Demonstrated the ability to select methods appropriate for specific research questions. 
•    Demonstrated an understanding of how empirical results relate to relevant theoretical discussions within the field of political sociology.

Required Knowledge

Univ: Courses of the amount of 90 ECTS credits in Social Sciences (Business Administration 90 ECTS, Economics 90 ECTS, Economic History 90 ECTS, Pedagogy 90 ECTS, Gender Studies 90 ECTS, Human Geography 90 ECTS, Informatics 90 ECTS, Peace and Conflict Studies 90 ECTS, Political Science 90 ECTS, Psychology 90 ECTS, Social Administration 90 ECTS, Social Care 90 ECTS, Social Policy 90 ECTS, Social Work 90 ECTS, Sociology 90 ECTS), or equivalent eligibility.
Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English A/5.

Form of instruction

Course meetings will take the form of workshops, which combine lecture and seminar as well as individual work. Some of the workshops are compulsory. Students are required to come to workshops having read the course materials and to participate actively in class discussion. All teaching will be in English.

Examination modes

Students will be assessed on their participation in compulsory workshops and through a final paper. If a student does not participate actively in any compulsory workshop, he/she will be required to complete a special assignment. The Swedish academic grading system includes three passing grades: Fail, Pass, and Pass with distinction. Examination based on this syllabus cannot be guaranteed after two years from the start of the course. International students will be graded in accordance with the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Students have the right to be re-examined up to five times per course. Examination and supplementary examination based on the syllabus outlined here can be guaranteed for up to two years after the start of the course. If a student is awarded a “fail” grade on at least two consecutive attempts of the examination of the course or course component, she or he has the right to request a new examiner. The director of studies should be consulted in such circumstances.

The examination consists of two parts. The students are expected to write a PM and an essay; the essay should also be presented at a seminar (compulsory). In order to be awarded a passing grade for the course as a whole, the student must pass both parts of the examination and attend all compulsory sessions indicated in the course schedule.

Other regulations

Decisions relating to academic credit transfers are made on a case-by-case basis. For further information about this contact the study advisor. See also Umeå University’s set of rules and academic transfer regulations. www.umu.se/studentcentrum/regler_riktlinjer/regelsamlingen/examensfragor.html