Comparative Politics

PO114S

Comparative Politics is a subject within Political Science that aims to compare political systems accross international borders. We are particulary interested in understanding the basis for differendt political systems, how these develop over time, and political conseqenses for people who lives in these contries. We discuss state and nation building prosesess, differend forms of gowernance and gowernment, parties, party systems, political culture and the relationship between governance and political practice.

Comparative Politics is a subject within Political Science that aims to compare political systems accross international borders. We are particulary interested in understanding the basis for differendt political systems, how these develop over time and political conseqenses for people who lives in these contries. We discuss state and nation building prosesess, differend forms of gowernance, parties, party systems, political culture and the relationship between governance and political practice. The Sustaiable Developemt Goals (SDGs) are particulary important in relation to states welfare development and political development.

Admission is based on General study competence (University entrance) or work competence (prior learning) accordning to current Norwegian regulations.

Admission occurs based on general study competence (university entrance) or work competence (prior learning) according to current Norwegian regulations.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

Knowledge:

- The candidate has basic knowledge of state- and building processes, democratic theory, democracies and authoritarian regimes, elections and electoral systems, types of government and the relation between the executive and legislative power.

- The candidate has broad knowledge of criteria’s and requirements for democratic regimes, and criteria’s for other forms of political systems

- the candidate has basic knowledge of the connection between political systems and peoples welfare

Skills:

- Candidates has skills in central themes in Comparative politics, espesially in relation to elections, voters, political culture and political systems

- Candidates can reflect and discuss central issues in Comparative Politics

- Candidates can demonstrate skills in comparative methods and procedures

General competence:

- be able to disseminate relevant knowledge

-are able to discuss oraly and in writing, central themes within an academic tradition

No costs except semester registration fee and syllabus literature. It is assumed that student have a laptop.

Compulsory for the one year program and bachelor program in International relations. Elective for students from other programs.

Lectures and seminars. Students works in groups .

A voluntary test-exam with feedback from teachers.

Annual evaluations which are included in the University´s quality assurance system.

Indivudual written school exam, 5 hours.

Grading scale A-F, where F means Failed.

None

Overlap refers to a similarity between courses with the same content. Therefore, you will receive the following reduction in credits if you have taken the courses listed below:

PO114LS - Comparative Politics with Didactics - 5 credits

Curriculum literature

Leganto

Course language

Norwegian

Credits

Study location

Bodø

Teaching semesters

Autumn 2026

Responsible faculty

Faculty of Social Sciences

Course coordinator

Associate Professor

Elisabeth Pettersen

elisabeth.pettersen@nord.no