Politics and Governance
Postgraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 10
- Teaching semesters Autumn
- Course code
- GOV322
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- English or norwegian
- Resources
- Schedule
Course description
Objectives and Content
This course focuses on political processes and political analysis, with particular attention to the relationship between politics and public administration. The interplay between political participation and forms of governance on the one hand, and the influence of administration on the other, is a core theme of the course. It examines how the relationship between politics and administration has evolved over time and how it varies across different political systems.
The course covers theoretical perspectives, including democratic theory, organizational theory, and institutional theory, as well as analytical approaches that provide tools for empirically analyzing various policy areas. Key policy fields—such as welfare policy and climate policy—serve as starting points for teaching and discussion.
The course adopts a multi-level perspective, meaning that teaching covers processes and institutions at the national, local, regional, and supranational levels. An important part of the course involves students formulating research questions and designing empirical research and assessment projects related to the course topics.
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...
- has up-to-date knowledge of the current state of research on politics and public administration
- has solid knowledge of analyses of politics and administration from various perspectives
- has thorough knowledge of several areas within public policy
- has good knowledge of different perspectives in research on political processes at various levels
Skills
The student...
- demonstrates the ability for critical thinking
- can conduct political analysis of politics and administration
- can independently analyze and apply existing theories and interpretations
- can apply knowledge in independent research and assessment work
General Competence
The student...
- can carry out political analyses and apply various research methods
- can present and explain complex academic topics
- can apply knowledge and skills to the study of different policy areas
- can communicate orally and in writing about issues, analyses, and conclusions to peers, actors in politics and administration, and the general public
ECTS Credits
Level of Study
Semester of Instruction
Required Previous Knowledge
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
- AORG322A (10 ECTS)
- AORG322B (10ECTS)
- AORG318 (10 ECTS)
- AORG320 (10 ECTS)
Access to the Course
The course is open for students who have been accepted to Master programmes at the Department of Government.
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
Presentation of a shorter essay (about 2000 words) based on a syllabus related topic. In addition, each student is required to at least one time comment on another students' oral/written presentation.
The compulsory assignment must be approved in order to take the exam. Approved compulsory assignments are valid in the current and following two semesters.
Forms of Assessment
A four-hour school exam.
The exam will be given in the language in which the course is taught.
The exam answer can be submitted in English, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish.
Grading Scale
Assessment Semester
Assessment in teaching semester.
A retake exam is arranged for students with valid absence according to UiBs study regulations § 5-5.If there is a retake exam for students valid absence, students with the following results/absences can register for the exam:
- Interruption during the exam
- Fail/failed
Students can register themselves in Studentweb after 15. January