Conceptualizing Global Challenges: Theoretical Advances
Postgraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 10
- Teaching semesters
- Spring
- Course code
- GOV355
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- English
- Resources
- Schedule
- Reading list
Course description
Objectives and Content
This course builds on GOV351 Understanding Global Challenges, where students gained foundational knowledge of how global challenges are being addressed from a politics and governance perspective. Through group projects and written assignments, this theory course teaches students how to apply selected theoretical lenses to conceptualize and critically examine real-world problems in the realm of global challenges, how to justify the choice of a particular theoretical approach, and how to discuss its limitations.
The course is organized as project-based learning with student-driven investigation of selected global challenges through our different theoretical lenses. To test the students´ enhanced and deep understanding of theory, and also to prepare for the MA thesis, the graded assignment is an academic essay. In addition, students will produce a non-graded assignment in the form of either a student-led seminar with a 2-page handout, a policy brief for a blog, a curated book review, or a poster for the global to provide contents for the global challenges day at end of first year.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
The student knows
- how to organize and conduct research in groups
- how to develop and present lectures
- how to reason with interdisciplinary perspectives
Skills
The student can
- apply analytical/theoretical frameworks/approaches to specific global challenges in independent research
- can discuss and assess the relevance of academic and professional contributions to the field concerning different policy problems
- can communicate and discuss advanced and professional arguments with different audiences
- can provide practical applications of theory through written and oral presentations and in discussions with relevant actors in public policy and administration
ECTS Credits
Level of Study
Semester of Instruction
Required Previous Knowledge
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
Access to the Course
The course is open for students who have been accepted to the Master's program in Politics and Governance of Global Challenges.
Exchange students at master level may be accepted upon application. Applications may be rejected due to capacity.
Teaching and learning methods
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
Forms of Assessment
Written essay, approximately 6000 words (excluding the title page, table of contents, references, tables, and all attachments).
The exam will be given in the language in which the course is taught.
The exam answer can be submitted in English.
Grading Scale
Assessment Semester
Assessment in teaching semester.
A retake exam is arranged for students with valid absence according to § 5-5 in the UiB regulations.
If there is a retake exam, this will be available for students with the follow results/absences:
- Medical certificate/valid absence
- Interruption during the exam
- Fail/failed
If you have the right to take a retake exam and a retake exam is arranged for students with valid absences, you can sign up yourself in Studentweb after 1. August.