Political Science
180 ECTS credits
Study programme
This programme provides broad and general competencies in the social sciences and economics. You will be well prepared for many careers in the public sector and in industry.
Education level:
Basic level
Prerequisites
General eligibility plus either:
- field-specific eligibility A5 (Mathematics 2a or 2b or 2c, Civics 1b or 1a1 + 1a2) or
- field-specific eligibility 5 (upper secondary school level Mathematics B and Civics A)
Students specialising in Economics (including Statistics) have to fulfil the entry requirements (Mathematics 3b or 3c or Mathematics C) before the start of Semester 3.
Optional programme courses may have different entry requirements.
While studying
Education
Jurisprudence in the political science programme deals with: - human rights in Sweden - rules and procedures in international relations - ways of influencing municipalities and public administrations - labour law - social care regulations - the duties and obligations of the police. Studies in jurisprudence develop the skills required to influence and change society. Society is built on laws and regulations and these are the subject of study. You will learn a juridicial method which you can use when writing a degree project and when applying the rules of law in all sectors of society.Electives
In the course of the programme there is one elective term. You may choose a new subject or continue in a subject you have started on. Many take the opportunity to study abroad at one of our partner universities. There is also the possibility to earn credits by doing qualified internship in Sweden or abroad.If this is your choosen major, you will embark on its study in the second term. The basic term develops your knowledge of economic theory and your ability to apply theory to current issues. Three main areas are studied: - micro-economics - how are economic decisons made by people and in companies? - macro-economics - how are our lives influenced by the decisions made by politicians, the Riksbank and/or "the market"? - financial economics - the finacial markets (shares, bonds, options, etc). How do companies, public agencies and individuals use these markets to achieve their goals and are those goals of benefit to society? At more advanced level you will get more specialised knowledge and there is a greater emphasis on independent analysis and scientific method. You may specialise further by choosing elective courses.
This is a broad three-year programme in the social sciences. There are three mandatory subjects: political science, economics, and law. Depending on your interests you will take political science or economics for three terms. The subject you choose will be your degree major and include a thesis of 15 ECTS credits.
Political science involves the study of politics and social issues. In the first term (1-30 ECTS credits) there is a focus on Sweden but in a comparative, European and international perspective. Among other things you will study: - the history of political ideologies - political social forces (parties, mass media, etc) - women and men in politics - political institutions (government, parliament, civil services) - foreign political systems, including the EU and European integration - international politics and cooperation. You will then deepen your knowledge through an emphasis on scientific method, argumentation, and independent analysis. After the first term you may specialise by choosing elective courses.
Form of Instruction
This is a full-time study programme. The number of scheduled classes varies between 8-10 hours a week, distributed over 2-3 meetings. Students are expected to participate actively in class and study extensively on their own.Examination
There are no set examination periods, and generally no final exam at the end of a semester, an academic year, or a complete study programme. Examination usually takes place at the end of each course, module, or unit. The forms of examination vary. Both oral and written exams.Study Abroad
Karlstad University has exchange programmes with universities in many countries in Europe.Course of study
| Semester 1 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Political Science I (Obligatory) | 30 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 2 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Economics for Political Science Majors (Obligatory) | 30 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 3 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Civil Law I (Obligatory) | 15 |
| Civil Law II (Elective) | 15 |
| Statistics (Elective) | 15 |
Total ECTS credits:
30*
| Semester 4 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Economics - continuation course (Elective) | 30 |
| Political Science II (Elective) | 30 |
Total ECTS credits:
30*
| Semester 5 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Optional course (End semester: 5) | 30 |
| Public Decision Making in Practice (Elective) | 15 |
| Practical Placement: Political Science Bachelor Programme (Elective) | 30 |
Total ECTS credits:
30*
| Semester 6 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Economic Growth (Elective) | 7.5 |
| Economics - Bachelor's Thesis (Elective) | 15 |
| Portfolio Analysis (Elective) | 7.5 |
| Political Science III (Elective) | 30 |
| Labour economics (Elective) | 7.5 |
| Industrial organisation and business strategies (Elective) | 7.5 |
| Environmental and Natural Resource Economics (Elective) | 7.5 |
| Public Economics and Politics (Elective) | 7.5 |
Total ECTS credits:
30*
*Full-time study always equals 30 ECTS credits per semester (20 weeks).
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.