Populism and its Consequences for Liberal Democracy
Undergraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 10
- Teaching semesters
- Spring
- Course code
- SAMPOL226
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- English
- Resources
- Schedule
- Reading list
Course description
Objectives and Content
Learning Outcomes
A student who has completed the course should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:
Knowledge
The student can
- display an understanding of the concepts of populism in terms of competing definitions and main dimensions.
- gain knowledge about the historical roots of populism and its importance for contemporary populist parties and movements.
- gain an understanding of the parallel waves of extra-parliamentary activism that has spread throughout Western Europe.
- demonstrate an ability to distinguish between different types of populism and how these relate to different models of democracy (e.g. liberal democracy and direct democracy).
- display an understanding of the most important consequences of populism for liberal democracy, in Europe and elsewhere.
Skills
The student is able to
- acquire a basis for critical and independent analysis of how the growth of populist parties affect representative liberal democracies in terms of political trust, polarization, and conceptions of democracy.
- acquire basic knowledge of cross-national similarities and differences when it comes to populist parties and movements.
- acquire insight into cross-temporal and cross-national ideological similarities and differences between present day parties and movements and those of earlier eras.
General competence
The student
- is able to synthesize theoretical and empirical material on a given topic relevant to the course readings and topics
Semester of Instruction
Required Previous Knowledge
Access to the Course
Teaching and learning methods
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
Forms of Assessment
Students have to deliver a maximum 3500 words essay by the end of the semester.
The exam will be given in the language in which the course is taught.
The exam can be submitted in English. It is also possible to submit in Norwegian, Swedish or Danish.
Grading Scale
Assessment Semester
Assessment in teaching semester.
Re-take exams are arranged for students with valid absence according to ยง 5-5 of the Study Regulations at UiB. If a retake exam are arranged for students with valid absence, students with the following results can also register:
- Interruption during the exam
- Fail/Not passed
If you qualify for the retake exam and a retake exam is arranged for students with valid absence, you can register yourself in Studentweb after August 1.