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2020/2021  BA-BPOLO1293U  Political Science

English Title
Political Science

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 15 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for BSc/MSc i International Business and Politics, BSc
Course coordinator
  • Edward Ashbee - Department of International Economics, Goverment and Business (EGB)
Main academic disciplines
  • Political Science
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 25-09-2020

Relevant links
Learning objectives
  • Identify, analyze and evaluate core concepts, models and theories used in the study of politics
  • Identify, analyze and evaluate key institutional features of modern political systems at national and international levels
  • Relate concepts, models and theories to empirical evidence
  • Compare political institutions, processes and outcomes in different countries and regions
  • Assess the relationships between politics and processes of social and economic change
  • Construct and sustain coherent and structured arguments in a well-reasoned manner using frameworks, approaches and methods drawn from the social sciences and based upon an understanding of competing perspectives.
Prerequisites for registering for the exam (activities during the teaching period)
Number of compulsory activities which must be approved (see s. 13 of the Programme Regulations): 1
Compulsory home assignments
Students must have one assignment approved to be able to attend the final exam in the course.
The mandatory assignment is 3 page 48-hour take home set assignment.

Feedback on the assignment will be provided in workshops.


If the mandatory assignment is not approved or there has been documented illness a retake assignment (3 page, 48 hours) will be offered before the final ordinary exams.

Please note that to submit the retake mandatory assignments it is a precondition that the student has made a valid attempt in the all set activities, unless it can be documented that the lack of submission/participation was caused by illness or similar circumstances.

More information on prerequisites for participating in the exam: compulsory activities can be found in the BSc IBP Programme Regulations §13.1-5.
Examination
The exam in the subject consists of two parts:
Political Science - midterm:
Sub exam weight20%
Examination formHome assignment - written product
Individual or group examIndividual exam
Size of written productMax. 5 pages
Assignment typeWritten assignment
Duration72 hours to prepare
Grading scale7-point grading scale
Examiner(s)Internal examiner and external examiner
Exam periodAutumn
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
The make-up / retake exam for those who are ill during the writing of the mid-term paper and the re-exam taken when the ordinary exam is failed is a new paper offering different questions assigned by the teaching staff.
Political Science - final:
Sub exam weight80%
Examination formHome assignment - written product
Individual or group examIndividual exam
Size of written productMax. 10 pages
Assignment typeWritten assignment
Duration7 days to prepare
Grading scale7-point grading scale
Examiner(s)Internal examiner and external examiner
Exam periodWinter
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
The make-up / retake exam for those who are ill during the writing of the final paper and the re-exam taken when the ordinary exam is failed is a new paper offering different questions assigned by the teaching staff.
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

The course focuses on core concepts, theories, and debates in political science and political economy. It considers political institutions, processes, actors, and ideas in selected countries as well as theories about the ways in which political systems work at a national and international level. The course also introduces students to basic assignment-writing techniques, in particular the construction of coherent academic arguments. It consists of lectures, exercise classes, workshops, written assignments and feedback sessions.
Description of the teaching methods
Lectures (with opportunities for questions and discussion); classes providing more in-depth coverage of course topics; classes / workshops considering study skills and, in particular, assignment-writing techniques.
Feedback during the teaching period
The course offers two feedback sessions following the introductory group assignment (45 minutes) and the first individual assignment (20 minutes). There will be further feedback sessions for students who wish to take advantage of this following the mid-semester assessed assignment. Furthermore, there will be five interactive assignment workshops providing extensive opportunities for feedback on sample questions and answers. Students are also encouraged to take full advantage of staff office hours if they would like to a chance to ‘test’ lines of argument, secure further information about course themes, or receive comments on written work.

Student workload
Preparation time (readings, group work etc.) 216 hours
Lectures / class exercises / “homework cafés” / workshops etc. 40 hours
Exam (incl. preparation for the exam and actual exam period) 160 hours
Last updated on 25-09-2020