Omslag, Birgitta Mattson - Södertörns högskola

Bilaga I
and within the larger context of social research at Södertörn. This
provides ample and useful opportunities for broad overview of the
field, but also of related academic disciplines. This provides
experience in engaging in critical and constructive dialogue. This also
presents a useful forum for the development of “work in progress”,
refinement of research ideas and skills of communication
This course also provides in-depth knowledge about theories in a
number of specific analytic approaches that play a prominent part in
political science research. As the course is closely connected with
ongoing research in political science at Södertörn University, two
themes are in focus: comparative politics and international politics. In
comparative politics, problems of democracy, state and nation
building and political leadership in different environments are
highlighted as well as the state, market and welfare in different
political systems. In international politics, there is a focus on the
major theoretical schools such as liberalism, realism and
constructivism as well as international institutions and fundamental
issues concerning conflict and cooperation. But this focus does not
preclude the study of alternative subjects. On the contrary, the
students must be introduced and taught to critically reflect on their
complex and nuanced research environment.
In concrete terms, this means that the students meet both more
senior researchers as well as their peers and discuss and critically
evaluate project applications, project organization and work as well
as emerging project results. Noteworthy is that it will be very much a
course on “work in progress” so that the actual literature might vary
somewhat over time. But the core issues of how to design a useful
and interesting project, how to conduct research and how to best
present results will be recurring themes in this course.
5. Course design
Lectures, mandatory seminars, and practical applications.
6. Course assessment
Seminars, presentations, discussions and written assignments.
7. Course literature
The literature will be finalised at a later date and adopted by the
teachers responsible for the course.
8. Restrictions on accreditation
The course may not be accredited as part of a degree if the contents
are partly or wholly the same as a course previously taken in Sweden
or elsewhere.
Politik, ekonomi och samhällets organisering
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