course-details-portlet

SØK8640

Political economy

New from the academic year 2025/2026

Credits 5
Level Doctoral degree level
Course start Autumn 2025
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement School exam

About

About the course

Course content

This course studies how policy is determined, as well as how politics and institutions interact. The course contains both theoretical models and empirical contributions. Topics include how voter behavior affects political decisions, how and why the franchise was extended, what makes voters sometimes prefer "strong politicians" and therefore removes checks and balances from constitutions, as well as the political rationale behind the distribution of resources across different segments of society.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

You learn

• How political decisions can be understood as an interplay between voters and politicians

• How economic and political power determines policy, and how such power constellations affect the evolution of institutions

• How inefficient institutions come about and persist over time

Skills

You should be able to

• explain central theories, models and empirics that can be used to study what determines political decisions and how institutions evolve.

• analyze a broad set of questions in political economy with the use of relevant models and empirics

General competence

You should be able to

• read and understand reports and research articles which deals with the topics covered in the course

• use the content of topics in own independent scientific work such as for example the master thesis

Learning methods and activities

2 hours of lectures every week. The course has compulsory activities. Specific requirements will be announced at the beginning of the term. The term papers can be written as a joint project. The course is not taught every semester. Check courses that are taught at https://www.ntnu.no/econ/valgfrie-masteremner.

Compulsory assignments

  • Mandatory activity

Further on evaluation

Compulsory activity must be completed in the semester the course is taught. The approval also applies to later semesters.

Specific conditions

Admission to a programme of study is required:
Economics (MSØK)
Economics (MSØK/5)
Economics and Management (PHOL)

Required previous knowledge

None

Course materials

Announced at the beginning of the term.

Subject areas

  • Economics
  • Social Sciences

Contact information

Course coordinator

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Economics

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: School exam
Grade: Passed / Not Passed

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

School exam
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code H Date 2025-12-03 Time 15:00 Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment
Place and room for school exam

The specified room can be changed and the final location will be ready no later than 3 days before the exam. You can find your room location on Studentweb.

Sluppenvegen 14
Room SL310 blå sone
3 candidates

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

School exam
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code H Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment Place and room Not specified yet.