Democracy and Democratization
Course offered :
- Current semester
- Next semester
Current programmes of study
Course offered by
| Number of credits | 15 |
| Course offered (semester) | This course is offered every autumn semester. |
| Subject overlap | Emnet overlappar 15 studiepoeng med det gamle grunnfaget (SAPOG). |
| Schedule | Schedule |
| Reading list | Reading list |
Language of Instruction
English
Pre-requirements
Fulfilment of general admission requirements.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
- Critically discuss democratic and non-democratic political systems as well as the processes which result in changes in the type of political system and be able to analyze these topics theoretically, historically, and scientifically.
- Describe institutional varieties of democratic systems and study scientifically whether different types perform better in terms of economic outcomes.
- Understand, analyze, and interpret world political events related to democratic and non-democratic political systems.
Contact Information
post@isp.uib.no / advice@isp.uib.no / +47 55583316
Course offered (semester)
This course is offered every autumn semester.
Exam offered (semester)
Autumn
Language of Instruction
English
Aim and Content
Students in this course will acquire a broad and sophisticated knowledge of democratic and non-democratic political systems as well as the processes which result in changes in the type of political system. They will approach these topics theoretically (through a survey of concepts and theories of democracy), historically (they will read a large variety of articles and book chapters that study individual countries¿ experiences from around the world in a comparative analytic framework), and scientifically (they will be exposed to classic research questions and hypotheses and study past and contemporary research that presents findings to answer these questions). Students will also study institutional varieties of democratic systems and study scientifically whether different types perform better in terms of economic outcomes. There are also selected readings throughout the course which instruct the students in the methodology of studying democratic and non-democratic systems. Most of the readings are professional (yet accessible) journal articles and book chapters, organized by theme and pedagogical value, supplemented by selections drawn from intermediate-level texts. Students will acquire the ability to analyze and interpret world political events related to democratic and non-democratic political systems.
The course is divided into the following sections: I. Concepts and Theories; II. Economic Development and the Process of Democratization; III. The Transition to and Consolidation of Democracy; IV. The Breakdown of Democracy and Authoritarian Regimes; V. Democratic Institutions; VI. Political Regimes and Political Violence.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
- Critically discuss democratic and non-democratic political systems as well as the processes which result in changes in the type of political system and be able to analyze these topics theoretically, historically, and scientifically.
- Describe institutional varieties of democratic systems and study scientifically whether different types perform better in terms of economic outcomes.
- Understand, analyze, and interpret world political events related to democratic and non-democratic political systems.
Pre-requirements
Fulfilment of general admission requirements.
Teaching Methods
Form: Lectures and seminars
Hours per week: approximately 4
Number of weeks: minimum 10
Compulsory Requirements
None
Assessment methods
4-hour desk examination, which counts for 50% of the final grade, and one 3000-word final essay, which counts for 50% of the final grade. There will be given one final grade.
An essay that has been submitted and evaluated, can not be submitted to examination again unless the student in advance can demonstrate to the department that the essay provides answers to new research questions, and / or is based upon new empirical material (sources / data), and / or that a radical change is made in the analysis of the interpretation of empirical data (see "Supplementary degree and study regulations for the Faculty of Social Sciences").
Grading Scale
Grading A-F
Contact Information
post@isp.uib.no / advice@isp.uib.no / +47 55583316