Course syllabus autumn 2020
Course syllabus autumn 2020
Title
Political Representation
Swedish title
Politisk representation
Course code
ES150L
Credits
7.5 credits
Grading scale
UA / Excellent (A), Very Good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Pass (E) or Fail (U)
Language of instruction
English
Decision-making body
Faculty of Culture and Society
Syllabus approval date
2020-05-20
Syllabus valid from
2020-08-31
Entry requirements
A minimum of 30 credits in social sciences or humanities + English B from Swedish upper secondary school.
Level
Basic level
No main field.
Progression level
G1F
Progression level in relation to degree requirements
non main field of study course / professional vocational qualification
Course objectives
The main purpose of the course is to develop students' knowledge and understanding about the relationship between the European Union and its citizens. This is done with the help of a number of theoretical perspectives and empirical examples.
Course contents
The course focuses on the relationship between the European Union and its citizens. During the course, the EU is examined a democratic polity, and issues surrounding participation, democracy, efficacy, legitimacy, and citizenship are examined. Various channels for political representation in the European Union are studied, such as elections and referenda, lobbying and interest groups, as well as the role and importance of the different regions in the EU policy processes. A number of theoretical perspectives are introduced, with the aim of providing students with a diverse range of analytical tools for the study of political representation, both normative and empirical. Theories of democracy and legitimacy are presented and will be compared and contrasted with the European reality.
Learning outcomes
On completion of the course, the student should:
- Be able to analyse the various channels for political representation in the EU;
- Demonstrate knowledge of the central theoretical perspectives discussed in the course, and be able to apply these to different aspects of European integration;
- Be able to examine critically and evaluate the EU and its various channels of representation through the prisms of legitimacy, representativeness and democracy.
Learning activities
Learning activities for the comprise individual studies, along with lectures and seminars. For most seminars, students are expected to prepare oral and/or written presentations.
Assessment
Assessment of students' achievements is made via a course portfolio that includes oral presentations, active participation in three seminars, and a written exam at the end of the course. The seminars are used to examine learning objectives 1 and 2, while the written home exam examines learning objective 3.
Course literature and other study material
- Bauböck, Rainer (2017), Democratic inclusion: Rainer Bauböck in dialogue (Manchester: Manchester University Press). (also available open access)
- Rose, Richard (2013), Representing Europeans: A Pragmatic Approach (Oxford: Oxford University Press) [available as e-book]
- Additional readings, videos and other learning material.
Please note additional online resources may supplement/complement the core textbooks.
Course evaluation
The University provides students who participate in or who have completed a course with the opportunity to make known their experiences and viewpoints with regards to the course by completing a course evaluation administered by the University. The University will compile and summarize the results of course evaluations as well as informing participants of the results and any decisions relating to measures initiated in response to the course evaluations. The results will be made available to the students (HF 1:14).
Interim rules
If a course ceases to be available or has undergone any major changes, the students are to be offered two opportunities to retake the examination during the year following the change for re-examination, based on the syllabus which applied at registration.
Additional information
The Language of Instruction is English