course-details-portlet

POL2014 - Specialization in Political Science: Comparative Politics

About

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: School exam
Grade: Letter grades

Evaluation Weighting Duration Grade deviation Examination aids
School exam 100/100 3 hours E

Course content

The course builds on POL1000 and offers a more comprehensive treatment of concepts and theories within comparative politics, in addition to a close study of the comparative method. Substantively the course focuses on the conceptualisation of democratic and authoritarian institutions and the causes of transitions between these types of regimes. We examine factors such as economic structure, foreign involvement, civil war and mass protest as drivers of these transitions. Throughout the course we pay close attention to how authors in the field use qualitative and quantative evidence to make inferences about these causes.

Learning outcome

Knowledge - the student shall:

  • understand the fundamentals of the comparative method and the connections between comparison and causal inference
  • know how scholars have conceptualised democratic and authoritarian regimes and how institutions shape political choices related to corruption, repression, and economic growth
  • understand the role of economic structure, mass protest and elites in driving or inhibiting democratisation

Skills - the student shall demonstrate the ability to:

  • understand how to derive testable propositions from existing theory of democratisation
  • use evidence to make appropriately bounded claims and/or constructively critique existing work

Learning methods and activities

4 hours of lectures per week in the first half of the semester.

Further on evaluation

Assessment: 3-hour written exam in week 9.

Required previous knowledge

None

Course materials

Provided at the start of the semester

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From To
POL2004 7.5 AUTUMN 2011
More on the course

No

Facts

Version: 1
Credits:  7.5 SP
Study level: Intermediate course, level II

Coursework

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  SPRING 2025

Language of instruction: English

Location: Trondheim

Subject area(s)
  • Social Studies
  • Social Sciences
  • Political Science
Contact information
Course coordinator:

Department with academic responsibility
Department of Sociology and Political Science

Examination

Examination arrangement: School exam

Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
Autumn ORD School exam 100/100 E 2024-11-05 09:00 INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
SL310 turkis sone Sluppenvegen 14 6
SL311 lyseblå sone Sluppenvegen 14 1
Spring ORD School exam 100/100 E INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
  • * The location (room) for a written examination is published 3 days before examination date. If more than one room is listed, you will find your room at Studentweb.
Examination

For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"

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