Political Science: The Politics of Development

The course examines the political dimensions of development policies and processes at both global and national levels. You will learn how development is studied within political science, exploring key theories, concepts, and perspectives.

The course discusses how issues such as poverty, health, climate change, human rights, and gender equality are shaped by political forces and institutions. A recurring theme is the rights-based approach to development, which links human rights to development practice.

At the national level, the course addresses democracy, state-building, and political change. It raises critical questions about what development means and who defines it.

Course literature

The course literature listed may be updated up to eight weeks before the course begins.

Teaching includes interactive lectures, student-led seminars, and an individual course paper. Active participation in oral and written discussions is central to the course’s learning environment.

Course components

• The political dimensions of development
• Global and national governance structures
• Power, institutions, and actors in development cooperation
• Human rights and rights-based approaches
• Democracy, autocratisation, and state-building

You will be able to identify and analyse development challenges from a political science perspective, communicate your findings clearly, and engage in informed debates about the politics of development in theory and practice.

Entry requirements

General and passed at least 45 ECTS credits from the first year of the Bachelor's programme in Development Studies (BIDS).

Selection criteria

Seats are allocated according to: The general average (GPA) of your higher secondary school leaving certificate: 20 %, The Swedish national university aptitude test: 10 %, number of previous ECTS at application deadline (up to 165): 70 %.

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens

Citizens of countries outside:

• The European Union (EU)
• The European Economic Area (EEA) and
• Switzerland

are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each
semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 31,250
First payment: SEK 31,250

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Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.

Application fee

No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.