Master programme in political science - psychological defense and disinformation
120 ECTS credits
Study programme
The main area of study for the master's programme is political science. From a political science perspective, the programme addresses how the democratic order and its values are challenged by various flows of disinformation, as well as society's institutional ability to manage these challenges. The master's programme provides students with a deeper understanding of the role of society and social processes in psychological defense and disinformation. Students are further provided with knowledge on how individuals, societal actors and institutions can work methodically and systematically to identify, prevent and counteract disinformation and reduce its impact.
Society is based on relationships between individuals and groups with different norms, cultures, interpretation frameworks and horizons of understanding. The master's programme contributes to an understanding and knowledge of how these relationships affect the flows of information and disinformation. The programme has a political science approach in combination with supplementary disciplines to enable in-depth studies and advanced analyses. During the course of the programme, psychological defense and disinformation are addressed from various perspectives, providing students with the opportunity to develop their ability to apply academic knowledge to understand how gender equality and sustainable development can be linked to the themes of the programme.
The master's programme aims to prepare students for research and serves as a foundation for further studies in political science at the doctoral level.
The programme has a diverse target group and primarily includes current or future employees in companies, government agencies and other organisations that are expected to be affected by the phenomenon of undue information influence. The programme is also aimed at undergraduate students in political science and other subjects within social sciences and humanities.
Society is based on relationships between individuals and groups with different norms, cultures, interpretation frameworks and horizons of understanding. The master's programme contributes to an understanding and knowledge of how these relationships affect the flows of information and disinformation. The programme has a political science approach in combination with supplementary disciplines to enable in-depth studies and advanced analyses. During the course of the programme, psychological defense and disinformation are addressed from various perspectives, providing students with the opportunity to develop their ability to apply academic knowledge to understand how gender equality and sustainable development can be linked to the themes of the programme.
The master's programme aims to prepare students for research and serves as a foundation for further studies in political science at the doctoral level.
The programme has a diverse target group and primarily includes current or future employees in companies, government agencies and other organisations that are expected to be affected by the phenomenon of undue information influence. The programme is also aimed at undergraduate students in political science and other subjects within social sciences and humanities.
Education level:
Master's level
Prerequisites
A Degree of Bachelor of at least 180 credits. Minimum 90 credits, of which at least 30 credits at G2F level or higher, in political science or related main area of study such as sociology, psychology, philosophy, media and communication studies, history, social studies, or human geography. An independent project of at least 15 credits at G2E level must be included. Swedish 3 and English 6/A. Equivalence assessment may be made.
While studying
Education
Semester 1 provides the foundation for political science perspectives on psychological defense and disinformation. The semester includes in-depth studies of the vulnerability and resistance of democracy. Students are also provided with a basic orientation in disinformation and psychological defense, as well as deepening their understanding of the relationship to democracy and democratic institutions. In addition, disinformation and psychological defense are put in relation to how individuals and groups perceive risks and how this affects their behaviours.Semester 2 provides deepened theoretical and practical understanding of the use of case-based methodology in the study of how individuals and groups receive and interpret information. Ethical issues related to case-based methodology are also addressed. The semester also includes an introduction to and a deeper understanding of concepts, theories and problems related to AI, and how these can be linked to institutional capacity. For students choosing a 1-year master?s degree (60 credits), semester 2 concludes the programme with a degree project of 15 credits. For students choosing a 2-year master?s degree (120 credits), the semester concludes with theoretical approaches to challenges and problems in organisational governance and decision-making in relation to the themes of the programme.
Semester 3 provides a deepened understanding of risks and opportunities of new technology in relation to democracy and democratic institutions from a perspective of security protection and cybersecurity. Further, methodological knowledge is provided to critically reflect on key methodological concepts and research ethics in the analysis of ?big data? and meta-analysis. During the second half of semester 3, students have the opportunity to do an internship or take optional courses in Sweden or abroad. Students who choose a more career-oriented model can do an internship, for example, in the Swedish Riksdag, at national authorities, within the EU administration or at a more local or regional level, such as municipalities and regions.
Semester 4 consists of an independent project of 30 credits.
Form of Instruction
Generally, the courses focus on student-centred learning and application grounded in theory and research, with clear practical relevance. Student activities mainly consist of individual and group assignments, with the aim of developing their skills and abilities in line with the programme outcomes and the learning outcomes of the courses. Instruction is therefore primarily in the form of seminars based on written and oral presentations with special focus on critically discussing and reflecting on current issues, methods, theories, assumptions and perspectives. This critical discussion relates to gender equality and sustainable development throughout the programme.Course of study
| Semester 1 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Threatened democracy (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Resilient democracy (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Disinformation and Security (Obligatory) | 15 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 2 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Method course I: Case and reception analysis (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Artificial intelligence (AI) and institutional capacity (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Leadership and desinformation (Obligatory) | 15 |
| Independent research project – master in political science (Obligatory) | 15 |
Total ECTS credits:
30*
| Semester 3 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Security protection and cybersecurity (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Method course II: Big data analysis and external monitoring (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Communication and cultural diversity (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Strategic communication (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Practical placement: Political science (Elective) | 15 |
Total ECTS credits:
30*
| Semester 4 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Independent project (Obligatory) | 30 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
*Full-time study always equals 30 ECTS credits per semester (20 weeks).
Please note - not all programmes offer elective or optional courses.
Elective course: Students are free to choose among certain alternative courses, often depending on their choice of specialisation.
Optional course: Students are free to choose any course offered at Karlstad University or at other universities. Courses listed are examples of recommended or frequently chosen courses for a specific programme.
Future prospects
Employment Market
Programme graduates are equipped to work with issues concerning psychological defense and disinformation in a democratic context, primarily within the public sector but the knowledge acquired through the programme is also relevant for positions in the private sector.Degree
Degree of Master of Social Science (60 credits) Main field of study: Political ScienceDegree of Master of Science (120 credits) Main field of study: Political Science
Tuition fees
- Total fee: 192,000 SEK
- Per semester / First payment: 48,000 SEK
You do not have to pay tuition fees if you are an exchange student or a citizen of a country within the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland.