SFS10308 Public Policy and Administration (Spring 2016)

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Compulsory course in Political Science, one-year programme
• Specialisation course in the Bachelor Programme in Business Administration, specialisation in Political Science
• Part of the component worth 60 ECTS credits that can be included in the Bachelor Programme in Society, Language and Culture

Lecture Semester

• Political Science, one-year programme: semester 2 (spring)
• Bachelor Programme in Business Administration, specialisation in Political Science: semester 6 (spring)
• Bachelor Programme in Society, Language and Culture: semester 2, 4 or 6 (spring)

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

KNOWLEDGE
The students have insight into how our political-administrative system works at local, national and international levels.
The students have insight into fundamental policy and institutional analysis and the concept of the welfare state.
The students also have knowledge of political parties and of different electoral systems.

SKILLS
The students can reflect on key political science issues.

GENERAL COMPETENCE
The students have general analytical competence and a sound overview of the area of public policy and administration.

Content

The course offers an introduction to theories and fundamental concepts of distribution of power and political analysis. Political and administrative institutions and processes constitute a key topic. The Storting, government, the courts of justice and EU institutions are important topics in this connection. The role of public administration in the political system is another key topic.

A comprehensive introduction is offered to some relevant models in rational/public choice theory, including constitutional political economics and other ideas of constitutional democracy. The course will also offer an introduction to what it means to live in a democracy, state governed by rule of law, corporatism, and other institutional approaches to public policy and administration. An introduction to bureaucracy theory is also given.

In this course, the area of comparative politics covers issues such as elections, electoral systems, political parties in Europe, political dividing lines, politics in selected European countries, and the welfare state as viewed from the European perspective.

Forms of teaching and learning

Application of theoretical perspectives of and concepts used in current issues is emphasized through different types of student activities. Individual supervision and follow-up is provided in connection with written assignments. Time for study groups is allocated in the teaching plans. These are formed and organised by the students themselves. The language of instruction is Norwegian.

Workload

Approximatly 420 hours.

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

Individual written assignment (maximum 5 pages). The assignments given by the subject teachers may consist of one or more supplementary questions, all of which must be answered.

Coursework requirements must be approved before students may sit the exam.

Examination

Individual written exam
Written exam lasting 4 hours. No support materials permitted. Grading scale from A to F.

Course evaluation

This course is evaluated twice every semester.

Literature

Updated December 4th 2012

Christensen, Tom, Morten Egeberg, Helge O. Larsen, Per Lægreid og Paul G. Roness (2010) Forvaltning og politikk, 3. utgave. Oslo: Universitetsforlaget. Kap. 1-4, 6-8, 10-11. (174 s)

Hagen, Terje P. og Rune J. Sørensen (2006). Kommunal Organisering. Oslo: Universitetsforlaget. (250 sider)

Heidar, Knut, Einar Berntzen, Elisabeth Bakkke m.fl. (2008) Politikk i Europa. Partier, regjeringsmakt, styreform. Oslo: Universitetsforlaget. Kap. 1-4, 7, 13-14, 16, 18. (160 s)

Hindmoor, Andrew (2006): Rational Choice. London: Palgrave. (ca. 200 s)

Nordby, Trond (2004), I politikkens sentrum. Variasjoner i Stortingets makt 1814-2004, Oslo: Universitetsforlaget (269 s.)

Rommetvedt, Hilmar (2011), Politikkens allmenngjøring og den nypluralistiske parlamentarismen, 2. utg. Oslo: Fagbokforlaget. (153 s.)

Østerud, Øyvind (2007), Statsvitenskap. Innføring i politisk analyse, 4. utg., Oslo: Universitetsforlaget: 61-109. (48 s.)

Texts in compendium