STV1101 - Introduction to Political Utopias
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
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Course content
Teaching and examination in STV1101 was given for the last time autumn 2014.
The course introduces students to the genre of literary utopias and the history of utopian thinking. Some of the most important literary utopias, including a classic dystopia, will be read and discussed as manifestations of political ideologies and expressions of fundamental social criticism. The course will show how utopian texts can be used as relevant contributions to theoretical debate and analysis in the discipline of political science.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
Students will:
- obtain knowledge and understanding of the genre of literary utopias;
- understand how this genre, as well as utopian thinking in general, can contribute to political theory and debate;
- acquire first-hand knowledge of some of the most important literary utopias and contemporary contributions to the international utopian scholarship;
- be acquainted with ideas of alternative ways of organizing social and political institutions.
Skills
Students will:
- learn to read and analyse utopian texts as expressions of social criticism and political ideologies;
- learn to compare and evaluate utopian ideals and proposals;
- learn to discuss the benefits and dangers of utopias and utopian ideas.
Competences
Students will:
- enhance their capability to question and discuss present social and political realities;
- enhance their capability to formulate and reflect on their own ideas of “the good society”.
Admission
Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.
International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
No obligatory prerequisites beyond the minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway.
Examination
4 hours written exam.
Examination support material
Students may use dictionaries at this exam. Dictionaries must be handed in before the examination. Please read regulations for dictionaries permitted at the examination.
Language of examination
The 4-hour written exam will be given in English only. The students can choose whether they will answer the exam questions in English, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
- Explanation of grades - deadline and processing time
- Appeal about grades
- Complaint about formal exam errors
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
If you wish to withdraw from the exam you must do so in StudentWeb at least two weeks prior to the deadline. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit the exam.
Special examination arrangements
If you have a disability or a health problem that entails significant inconvenience in an examination situation, you may be considered for special examination arrangements. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.
Evaluation
Feedback from our students is essential to us in our efforts to ensure and further improve the high quality of our programmes and courses. All courses are subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students on a particular course to participate in a more comprehensive, periodic evaluation of this course.