English translation of programme syllabus

Political Science, Master’s Programme, 120 credits

(Masterprogram i statsvetenskap, 120 högskolepoäng)

Programme code P4344
Academic school School of Social Sciences
Education cycle Second cycle
Language of instruction English
Valid from HT2021

Validation

This programme syllabus was validated by the Faculty Board at Södertörn University on 2018-11-21 according to the stipulations in the Higher Education Ordinance. This programme syllabus was revised by the Faculty Board at Södertörn University on 2020-05-27.

Entry requirements

Bachelor’s degree including 90 credits in Political Science as the main field of study and English B or equivalent.

Programme outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

On completing the programme, the student will be able to:

  • in a significantly in-depth manner, reflect upon and assess the value of theories and concepts in political science, particularly emphasising democracy and governance in political analysis and the production of scholarly knowledge
  • using established research, perform scholarly identification and assessment of the merits of claims to knowledge in political science as they emerge and are maintained in different analytical fields and conceptual domains

Competence and skills

On completing the programme, the student will be able to:

  • in a scholarly and informed manner, independently apply and appraise the application of theories, methodologies, concepts, assumptions, and analytical tools in political science research vis-à-vis political practices and processes at all levels
  • in a qualified manner, autonomously account for and demonstrate, orally and in writing, how affirmative and critical knowledge perspectives and modes of operation are used in political science
  • in a lucid, concise, and well-founded manner, summarise, compile, and communicate political scientific results, analyses, and investigations

Judgement and approach

On completing the programme, the student will be able to:

  • autonomously formulate research tasks and evaluate the production of knowledge in political science, with regard to core scientific, societal, institutional, political, and ethical aspects of the scientific study of politics, particularly in democracy and governance
  • in an independent and scholarly manner, appraise and reflect on the use and limitations of perspectives, concepts, tensions, and methods in political science research, including current and earlier political science research projects at Södertörn university
  • in an independent manner, demonstrate in their own work how theories, methodologies, concepts, and perspectives in political science may be combined, transcended, and deepened

Applicability

A Master’s degree in political science provides excellent qualifications for work in the private and public sectors, or in non-governmental organisations that operate between those sectors. The programme offers valuable training for careers in which the investigation, evaluation and analysis of politically relevant questions are required. The Master’s degree also provides a solid basis for students who intend to continue to doctoral studies.

Qualification

Title of qualification:

Degree of Master of Science in Political Science (120 credits)

Filosofie masterexamen med huvudområdet statsvetenskap

Qualification stipulation:

A student must previously have been awarded a Bachelor’s degree equivalent to 180 credits including 90 credits in Political Science, or an equivalent qualification from abroad. The degree of Master of Science is awarded on the completion of courses equivalent to 120 credits, including a minimum of 30 credits for an independent project (dissertation) in the main field of study. A project of less than 30 credits, but of at least 15 credits, is permissible if a Master’s project of 15 credits has previously been completed in the main field of study in Sweden or abroad.

Programme design

This two-year Master’s programme covers four semesters of full-time study and is taught at the School of Social Sciences. The programme imparts systematic, in-depth knowledge and understanding of core lines of thought and analysis in political science, and thus enhances students’ ability to conduct analyse political analysis. The programme offers training in social sciences methodology, including by utilising research carried out by members of staff. The overarching aim is to provide students with the tools to develop their analytic and problem-solving abilities and to autonomously apply these abilities to studies in the subject. The programme has a particular focus on democracy and governance. This links theory-driven, normative, empirical and conceptual analysis together while studying political power and organisation in both specific and wider senses, both within and between various societal and analytical levels. The courses combined with the Master’s dissertation create the right conditions for significant subject specialisation.

The overall objective is to provide students with the tools to develop their analytical and problem-solving ability and to apply that ability independently of studies within the discipline. The programme has a particular focus on democracy and governance.

Compulsory courses

  • Democratic Theory (7,5 credits)
  • Democratic Governance (7,5 credits)
  • Comparative Governance (7,5 credits)
  • Global Governance (7,5 credits)
  • Qualitative Research Methods (7,5 credits)
  • Quantitative Research Methods (7,5 credits)
  • Research Design (7,5 credits)
  • Independent Study 1 (7,5 credits)
  • Dissertation (30 credits)

A student on a study programme is guaranteed a place on the compulsory courses or on the specializations/courses within the programme. (For entry requirements, see, Other Stipulations.)

Optional courses

One semester (in total 30 points) of the programme is composed of optional course modules.

In political science:

  • State and Democratic Citizenship (7.5 credits)
  • Political organisation (7.5 credits)
  • Organising European space (7.5 credits)
  • Independent study II (7.5 credits)

Instead of taking these courses students are free to choose other second-cycle (Master’s) courses at other Swedish or foreign universities. These must have the prior approval of the programme coordinator.

A student is guaranteed a place on a range of courses equivalent to a full workload. There is no guarantee that a student is offered a place on his/her first choice of course. For entry requirements, see course syllabus.

Degree project

Dissertation (30 credits)

Credit transfer for prior studies

A student has the right to have prior learning assessed for accreditation within the study programme.

Other stipulations

For entry requirements for courses within a study programme, see course syllabus.