Syllabus, valid from 2017-08-28
Syllabus, valid from 2017-08-28
Title
Political Science: Multi-Level Governance and Transnational Policy
Swedish title
Statsvetenskap: Flernivåstyrning och transnationell policy
Course code
ST612L
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
2017-09-01
Syllabus valid from
2017-08-28
Level
Advanced level
Entry requirements
A Bachelor’s Degree within a social science field, e.g., Political Science, Peace and Conflict Studies, International Relations, Human Rights or a related major field. English B
Main field
Political Science
Progression level
A1N
Progression level in relation to degree requirements
The course is part of the main field of study Political Science at advanced level and meets the degree requirements for the degree of Master, main field of study Political Science.
Course objectives
The purpose of this course is to inquire into the increasingly complex ways in which power is being exercised in contemporary global politicy making.
Course contents
Who makes policy and where? How does it develop and why do policy ideas spread?
These questions will be addressed by focusing on a process often conceptualised as multi-level governance and by studying the growing importance of transnational policy. Of particular importance are phenomena such as policy convergence and policy transfer and the role of international organizations and transnational networks in their actualization. The course considers theories of cross-border policy mobility and contrasts orthodox rational-actor approaches with more critical interpretations that highlight power relations and the construction of knowledge. In addition the course encourages students to recognise that their future careers may potentially involve a policy-influencing role and to think about how their current studies and knowledge operate as an ‘evidence base’ in the policy world.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
On completion of the course the student shall demonstrate:
- a thorough and well-rounded knowledge of contemporary theoretical ideas about multi-level governance and transnational policy,
- knowledge and understanding of the role of international organisations and transnational networks in contemporary governance and policy-making, and
- knowledge and understanding of how multi-level governance and transnational policy affect specific issue areas in global politics.
Skills and abilities
On completion of the course the student shall demonstrate an ability to:
- an ability to engage closely with texts on a high level of theoretical complexity,
- an ability to use theoretical concepts and analytical approaches in analyses of empirical situations.
- an ability to extract, formulate, pursue, and communicate theoretical questions, and
Judgement and approach
On completion of the course the student shall demonstrate:
- analyze and assess information on a scientific basis;
identify knowledge gaps and needs for further study
Learning activities
Teaching takes the form of lectures and seminars.
Assessment
Students will be evaluated through a portfolio consisting of a written paper and case study reports.
Course literature and other study material
- Harman, S. & Williams, D. (eds) 2013. Governing the World? Cases in Global Governance, Routledge.
- Triandafyllidou, A., ed., 2017. Global Governance from regional perspectives: a critical view, Oxford Scholarship Online (e-book)
- Additional texts of max. 500 pages
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.