Program in Political Science

Political science is the scientific study of how the state is organized and governed. During the Bachelor’s Programme in Political Science, students are trained to analyze power, democracy, political ideas, political organizations and actors, and public institutions at all levels of governance. The programme aims to equip students with in-depth knowledge that supports a professional career in policy analysis. Graduates in political science commonly work with complex investigations, societal analysis in fields such as journalism or research, or policy-related work within public agencies, private companies, and civil society organizations.

Upon completion of the programme, students are eligible to continue their studies at the advanced level.

This programme leads to a Degree of Bachelor of Science in Political Sciences with a major in Political Science (Politices kandidatexamen med huvudområdet Statsvetenskap).

The first semester contains core courses in political science. The second semester contains in-depth courses in political science. Semester three and four consists of core and in-depth courses in one of the above mentioned profile subjects. In semester five the student chooses between freestanding courses, exchange studies or internship. The sixth and final semester the student studies research methods and writes an individual thesis in political science. The student chooses the order of semester 5 and 6.

All courses in political science, except for those included in one of the political science profile, are mandatory.

The programme is offered on full-time.

For the third semester, a profil subject must be chosen. All profil subjct has general eligibility except Economics and Statistics; all prerequisite requirements are documented in the respective course syllabus.

Program Overview

Semester 1 (Core courses)

Module 1

SK1124 Political Theory, 7,5 credits, quarter 1

SK1114 Swedish and Comparative Politics, 7,5 credits, quarter 2

and

Module 2

SK1115 Public Administration, 7,5 credits, quarter 3

and

SK1125 International Relations, 7,5 credits, quarter 4

Semester 2 (In-depth courses)

Module 1

SK1230 Political Theory, in-depth course, 7,5 credits, quarter 1

and

SK1231 Comparative Politics, in-depth course, 7,5 credits, quarter 2

Module 2

SK1232 Political Behaviour and Public Opinion, in-depth course, 7,5 credits, quarter 3

and

SK1234 Public Administration, in-depth course, 7,5 credits, quarter 4

or

SK1224 Prospects for Environmentapl Politics*, 15 credits, quarter 3-4, (elective) only spring semester

Semester 3

Core course(s) in profil subject*, 30 credits

Semester 4

In-depth course(s) in profil subject*, 30 credits

Semester 5**

Elective semester, 30 credits:

Freestanding, elective courses in Sweden

or

Exchange studies***

or

SK1412/SK1411 Internship, 15/30 credits

Semester 6**

Module 1

SK1313 Research Methods Including Dissertation Co-ordination, 15 credits, quarter 1-2

Module 2

SK1523 Dissertation, 15 credits, quarter 3-4

* Elective profile subject: Media and Communication Studies, Sociology (including Social Psychology and Criminology), Psychology, Economics, Statistics and Political Science. NB all elective profile subjects may not be offered every semester.

** The student chooses the order of semester 5 and 6.

*** Choice of the student. The requirements are that the student will take 30 higher education credits in completed courses. For free standing courses in Sweden, no guaranteed place is given.

After completing the programme the student shall also achieve the applicable outcomes in the relevant higher education qualification contained in the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance (Swedish Code of Statutes – SFS 1993:100, Qualifications Ordinance, Appendix 2).

For students who have begun their studies before Januari 18, 2027 courses can be replaced as follows:

SK1114 Swedish and Comparative Politics, 7,5 credits and

SK1115 Public Administration, 7,5 hp credits

can be replaced by:

SK1113 Institutions and Actors in Political Systems, 15 credits

SK1231 Comparative Politics, in-depth course, 7,5 credits and

SK1232 Political Behaviour and Public Opinion, in-depth course, 7,5 credits

can be replaced by:

SK1214 Democracy and democratization in a comparative perspective, 15 credits

SK1224 Prospects for Environmental Politics, 15 credits

can be replaces by

SK1223 Further Studies in Democracy, 15 credits

For students who have begun their studies before July 1 2019 courses can be replaced as follows:

SK1124 Political Theory 7,5 credits and

SK1125 International Relations 7,5 credits

can be replaced by

SK1123 Political Theory and International Relations 15 credits

For students who have begun their studies before July 1 2016 courses can be replaced as follows:

SK1231 Comparative Politics, in-depth course, 7,5 credits

SK1232 Political Behaviour and Public Opinion, in-depth course, 7,5 credits

can be replaced by

SK1213 Democracy in Theory and Practice 15 credits

For students who have begun their studies before July 1 2011 courses can be replaced as follows:

SK1124 Political Theory 7,5 credits and

SK1125 International Relations 7,5 credits

can be replaced by

SK1131 Comparative European Politics 15 credits or

SK1132 Sweden in World Politics 15 credits or

SK1134 Introduction to Environmental Politics 15 credits.

For students who have begun their studies before July 1 2007 courses can be replaced as follows:

SK1124 Political Theory 7,5 credits and

SK1114 Swedish and Comparative Politics, 7,5 credits and

SK1115 Public Administration, 7,5 credits and

SK1125 International Relations 7,5 credits

can together be replaced by

SK0100 Statsvetenskap: Grundkurs 30 credits

For students who have begun their studies before July 1 2007 courses can be replaced as follows:

SK1230 Political Theory, in-depth course, 7,5 credits and

SK1231 Comparative Politics, in-depth course, 7,5 credits and

SK1232 Political Behaviour and Public Opinion, 7,5 credits and

SK1234, Public Administration, in-depth course, 7,5 credits

can together be replaced by

SK2300 Statsvetenskap: Fortsättningskurs 30 credits

The programme will be followed up and evaluated in accordance with the applicable Policy for the Quality Assurance and Quality Development of Education at the University of Gothenburg (Policy för kvalitetssäkring och kvalitetsutveckling av utbildning vid Göteborgs universitet). 

For courses included in the programme but not within the main field of Political Science each department is responsible for quality assurance activities.

Students admitted to the program have general guaranteed admission to all mandatory courses in political science provided that they 1) apply according to assigned administrative procedures, and 2) have completed the prerequisite courses. The student also has guaranteed admission to one profile subject within the programme. NB! A profile subject will not be offered if there are too few applicants and the full selection of elective profile subjects may therefore not be available every semester. Students admitted to the program have no guaranteed admission to the freestanding courses on the fifth semester.