STV2360 - Political Institutions and Politics in Democracies
Course description
Course content
In this course on political institutions and politics in democracies, we address three key issues in the design and functioning of political institutions:
- First, the structure of and relationship between the executive, the legislative, the judiciary and public administration and how election systems impact these institutions.
- Second, the relationship between these institutions and individual and collective actors like MPs and political parties.
- Third, the impact of institutions and actors on policy outcomes.
To facilitate the discussion of these three issues, we focus empirically on three areas of the world; Western Europe, USA and Central and Eastern Europe.
Political Institutions and Politics in Democracies is one of three areas of specialization within the field of Comparative Politics. The other courses are STV2310 - Politics and Development and STV2340 - Holdninger, verdier og politisk atferd.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
You will:
- learn how the different institutions interact with each other in parliamentary and presidential systems
- learn how election systems shape recruitment to and interaction between political institutions
- learn about the (typical) stages in the legislative process in parliamentary and presidential systems
- learn about the role of political parties
Skills
You will:
- be able to identify and distinguish key features of parliamentary and presidential systems
- be able to discuss to what extent the institutional arrangement contribute to democratic processes
- define and discuss key terms and concepts within the field of comparative political institutions
- be able use theories and models in your own analysis of political processes and the functioning of political institutions
Competence
You will:
- develop analytical capabilities
- gain experience in writing academic texts
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 prerequisite knowledge beyond general Norwegian Higher Education Entrance Qualification
Recommended previous knowledge
STV1300 - Komparativ politikk 1(innføringsemne) or other introductory courses in comparative politics.
Teaching
Lectures and seminars.
Mandatory acitvities:
- Attend the first seminar (not the joint lecture)
- Present your term paper
- Comment on other students' papers
See the seminar guidelines for more information about the seminars.
Absence from mandatory activities
If you are absent from a seminar, you must notify the Department of Political Science within three workdays after the seminar. Contact your seminar leader immediatly in order to organise a new time for the activity.
Use this form to report absence. Valid documentation must be enclosed.
See the faculty's rules for reassignment of seminar groups.
Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
3 hours written exam.
Term paper.
The term paper must:
- have a scope of between 4000 and 5000 words.
- have a 12-point, Times New Roman font and 1.5 line spacing.
- be on a topic related to the curriculum but selected by the student.
- be presented for discussion and comments in a seminar before handed in.
The written exam will count more than the term paper, but no more than 60% of the grade. In order to pass the course, your essay and your written exam must be passed in the same semester as the course is taught. You will receive one overall grade for the course.
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 examination text is given in English. You may submit your response 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
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.
Plan for periodic evaluations at the Department of Political Science.