This course aims to develop your understanding of business ethics and how organisations follow the code of ethics in their daily operations. The course is designed to provide insights into ethical theories and tools for developing ethical business practices along with your own exploration of ethical decision making and how to develop ethical leadership. However, the part of learning is developing an appreciation of your own aptitude and commitment for becoming an ethical professional.

This course is also available for independent study (Option 2) in periods II-IV.

Recommended year of study: 2. year, autumn (for degree programme students)
Recommended complementary course: KATJOS42 Service Management

Participation in team work. Students are to develop a concept for the purposes’ of commercialisation and establishing an actual business model/project. Collaboration with other teams, taking part in the coaching events, and finally presenting the results in a public event are required.

Application periods for Demola projects:
Period 1 2018/2019 TBD
Period 2 2018/2019 TBD
Period 3 2018/2019 TBD
Period 4 2018/2019 TBD

For further information, please contact Demola staff: http://tampere.demola.net/about#contact.

Demola contact persons at the Faculty of Management

Administrative studies: University Lecturer Markus Laine, Professor Harri Laihonen
Business studies: University Lecturer Janne Ruohonen, University Lecturer Jarna Kulmala, Researcher Malla Mattila, Professor Anna Heikkinen
Politics: Professor Pami Aalto

Management theories, differences and similarities of disciplinary approaches related to management, future directions of management, argumentation skills in managerial work

Fall 2018: Special thematic focus on bad/destructive management & leadership practices.

Course is organised for 15-50 students. In the case that less than 15 students will enroll to the course, it will be cancelled in Fall semester 2018.

Participation to all course activities (lectures, debate training and debates) is mandatory. Absences (no matter the reason) need to be notified in advance (by email) will lead to additional make up assignments that need to be completed in order to pass the course. These assignments will be notified via Moodle. Deadline for submitting all make up assignments (again, to via Moodle) is also 15th December 2018.

Option 2 is a web-based independent study module. The course consists of independent study and an individual essay.

The course consists of independent study and a final essay. Students can write and hand-in the essay any time during the course. The essay can be written in English or in Finnish. Essay instructions are given on course moodle page.

KATVAA11 Business Ethics (5 ECTS) course (or corresponding studies) is a compulsory preceding course. Please note that it has to be completed before the beginning of, or during, course KATVAA14.

KATVAA14 Option 1 (lectures) is organised in period III. KATVAA14 Option 2 (independent study) is organised in periods I-II and IV.

Why do some issues receive political attention and some do not? Replying to this question is the purpose of agenda-setting. This is central not only to understand policy making but also political struggles. Studies progress building on early discussions of the power of keeping items on the agenda, path dependency and bounded rationality. Recent studies explore how the agenda changes after long periods of stability.

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the agenda-setting classic and recent literature. Students will use the knowledge gained in the class to analyze policies that interest them through a final essay. The course makes use of demonstrations and data from the Comparative Agendas Project including 18 European and 2 North American countries, Australia and the European Union.

Email registration to the teacher is essential by 28/08/2018

Compulsory preceding studies: POLPOP02 Introduction to Political Science, or equivalent studies at sending institution (exchange students).

5 ECTS for Bachelor's level completion (POLVOA31 & POLVOA32)
10 ECTS for Master's level completion (POLVOS26 & POLVOS27)

Further information from the teacher at the beginning of the course.

The student will learn to discuss and analyse conflicts in the Eastern European and post-Soviet countries over the interpretation of historical events, most notably over the history of the Soviet Union. Taking the region of Eastern Europe as a case study, this course explores the nexus between Foreign Policy Analysis/International Relations and politics of memory. In Memory Studies, scholars study how various political actors compete over the meaning of past events embodied in various memory sites such as monuments, commemorations, museums, and history textbooks. Scholars of International Studies, on the other hand, study the external relations of a state. Therefore, we will learn how the foreign policy of a state is enacted through the memorialization of particular historical events. The production of historical narratives often serves as a mechanism of national identity construction that defines the relation of a state to other national or supranational entities.

Compulsory preceding studies: POLPOP01 Introduction to International Relations, or equivalent studies at sending institution (exchange students).

The current situation in the world politics and economy is very unstable, where the superpowers are engaged in various conflicts and rivalry. This development is apparent in trade wars with tariffs, creation of trade blocks, rivalry over global currency, creation of new development banks, new arms race, new military alliances and direct engagements to wars. At the same time, the acknowledged global challenges of climate change, poverty, population growth, etc., are pushed aside in the current power struggle, and are accumulating and threatening the lives of ours and the future generations’.

The course handles these current and future challenges of world politics and economy. The future aspect demands taking a holistic look at the development of past and present trends, to extrapolate their future. This happens through a systems approach, where the development of world politics and economy and their challenges are analysed through structures and functions of world system, its norms, values and legitimacy. The future challenges and structural and functional possibilities are last discussed relating them to the functional needs of the world system.  

Learning outcomes: The course will enhance student’s knowledge on the current and future challenges of world politics and economy. It empowers students in holistic analysis of the current and future challenges of world politics and economy. The methodical skills of future research of students will develop in the essay task. 

Compulsory preceding studies: POLPOP02 Introduction to Political Science, or equivalent studies at sending institution (exchange students).

5 ECTS for Bachelor's level completion (POLVOA31)
10 ECTS for Master's level completion (POLVOS21)

Further information from the teacher at the beginning of the course.

The course is part of online based LITO study module, which is meant for students taking  business courses as optional studies.  Priority in student selection is given to degree students of administration studies and politics and to the students who have previously taken LITO-courses. The courses on LITO study module cannot be included in the basic studies of Degree Programme of Business Studies.

The LITO study module is organised in collaboration with different univeristies. In order to register the credits, the home university needs to transfer some information considering the student (name, gender, email, nationality, Finnish identity code and home univeristy) to the university organizing the course. Information classified as secret will not be transfered. Without the transfer, it is not possible to get the credits.

For more information, contact study coordinator Elina Kangastupa (elina.kangastupa(a)uta.fi).

Voluntary work accepted in this course is such work in one’s own field that supports the accumulation of knowledge in the degree programme. For example, voluntary work can be participation in activities organised by a municipality or an association, such as participation in homework clubs for multilingual children or children with immigrant backgrounds, or activities that are aimed at helping immigrants integrate into society.

The student seeks voluntary work opportunities on his/her own. Before starting the work, the student must make an agreement on the voluntary work with the head of study services of the faculty and the party providing the voluntary work opportunity.

Ethical theories and the concepts of business ethics; Ethical decision-making; Tools for developing business ethics practices.

See more information below.

Degree programme students and exchange students: No pre-registration is required, you enrol to course by signing in course page at Moodle (learning2.uta.fi): "KATVAA11 Business Ethics (independent assignment and exam)". You must use the enrolment key "Ethics2018" to sign in to Moodle. The course page will open at the beginning of 2nd period.

Please note that you can start the course anytime in periods II-IV.

Detailed instructions for completing the course are at the course page in Moodle.

See also course description in the Curricula Guide 2018–2019.

Students will be working together in groups returning assignments throughout the course, thus they should have enough time for it in their timetable.

KATVAA11 Business Ethics (5 ECTS) course (or corresponding studies) is a compulsory preceding course. Please notice, that it has to be completed before the beginning, or during, of course KATVAA12.

Option 1 (Lectures) is organised in period II and option 2 (Online course) is available in periods III-IV.

The course relies heavily on each student’s active participation in working with real life cases.
- The theoretical background of Business ideas and Business models.
- Different types of business models and business logic’s.
- Drafting one’s Business model toolkit through preparation of presentations of selected cases.
- Evaluation of one’s own learning and skills development in a final report.The course relies heavily on each student’s active participation in working with real life cases.
- The theoretical background of Business ideas and Business models.
- Different types of business models and business logic’s.
- Drafting one’s Business model toolkit through preparation of presentations of selected cases.
- Evaluation of one’s own learning and skills development in a final report.

The course is lectured in English in Fall during Period II and in Finnish in Spring during Period IV.

Englanniksi syyslukukauden II periodilla ja suomeksi kevätlukukauden IV periodilla.

Electronic exam is open in II-IV periods: 22.10.2018-26.05.2019. Please register for the electronic exam: https://tenttis.uta.fi

Electronic exam is open in II-IV periods: 22.10.2018-26.05.2019. Please register for the electronic exam: https://tenttis.uta.fi

The course introduces students to the field of ecological economics. The field of ecological economics is transdisciplinary by nature and as therefore applicable to economic, social, and environmental problem solving.  Students are offered a view to economics that differs fundamentally from the main school of economic thought known as neoclassical economics. First, the students are introduced to the vision that ecological economics offers with concepts such as full versus empty world, and circular economy. The students are then familiarized with different policy tools for guiding development towards a sustainable scale, such as Pigouvian taxes and caps on income and wealth. During the course students are also introduced to methods for measuring not only efficiency but also a sustainable scale and just distribution with in a system.

KATVAA11 Business Ethics (5 ECTS) course (or corresponding studies) is a compulsory preceding course. You can complete Business Ethics course also as independent study before or during KATVAA15 course. You will receive a grade for KATVAA15 course only after completing Business Ethics course or showing proof of corresponding studies.

This course is an introduction to organizational management leadership, organizational change, and value network management leadership.

The focus of the course will be in

a) Organizational structures as managerial tools and frames of reference for purpose-oriented human collaboration, and

b) Organizational change dynamics approached from the managerial point of view

Contents:

• Strategy, management, leadership, hierarchical coordination; classical themes of organizational management
• Organizational change dynamics
• Organisational Identity, learning and change
• Management and leadership in virtual organizations and communities
• Value configurations and Post-bureaucratic organization, management and coordination in networks

Participation to all lectures is mandatory. All instructions and course materials will be available in the Moodle-area of the course. The teacher responsible will send the Moodle-key to the accepted students after the registration is finalized.

This is an introductory course to Tampere3 module on digitalization.

The module provides a wide view to ongoing digitalization. The introduction course approaches the phenomenon from the perspectives of information sciences, business and management as well as public administration and politics.

After the introduction, the student can select the most suitable courses for his/her interests from the offerings of three universities. After completing the module, students are able to conceptualize the ongoing digital transformation, understand its impacts on business and society and are equipped with tools necessary when operating and managing in a digital society.

The module supports developing the kind of knowledge and expertise needed in the digitalized work life:

• Students recognize the multidisciplinary nature of digitalization and master the key concepts related to the phenomenon.
• Students know the possibilities and restrictions of technological changes both from the individual and institutional perspectives.
• Students understand the basic forms of knowledge-based value creation and possess tools for managing these processes.

There are two ways to complete the course: 1) independent work, or 2) active participation. These will be elaborated on the first lecture, which is mandatory for all. The first lecture will be available also as video recording after the class.

This is an independent study course. All course assignments and the final essay will be completed via Moodle.

This course is available as independent study course in study periods II-III. In study period IV, this course will be organised EITHER as lectures or independent option.

KATVAA11 Business Ethics (5 ECTS) course (or corresponding studies) is a compulsory preceding course. Please note that it has to be completed before the beginning of, or during, course KATVAA13.

KATVAA14 Option 1 (lectures) is organised in period III. KATVAA14 Option 2 (independent study) is organised in periods I-II and IV.

Across the Western world, representative democracy is party-based. Parties provide the essential link between the people and politicians and between parliament and government. At the same time, public confidence in parties as institutions is low to very low and anti-party sentiment has spawned protest parties of both right and left. Accordingly, this course adopts a thematic approach to the political science debate about political parties. Is the party over for political parties? The approach is theory-driven and the illustrative material will draw on a range of European systems.

Indicative Content

1. Classifying Political Parties

Can we speak of party types and, if so, on what basis – their origins, ideology, cross-national links? How can we understand the diversity of new parties, the likes of ethnic parties, anti-immigrant parties and regionalist parties?

2. Assessing Party Change

How and why do parties adapt and change? Can we enumerate a range of party change strategies? Have the historic class/denominational parties succeeded in becoming catchall parties?

3. Assessing Party Decline

Is there a sustainable case for party decline? Do parties really represent the people? Memberless parties; ‘registered supporters’; state subsidies; ‘cartellisation; the normative challenges to party democracy: personalisation, mediatisation, digitalisation.

4. Classifying party systems

What is a party system? Electoral and legislative party systems. Party system change. How great are the differences between modern party systems? Are they all moderate multi-party systems à la Sartori?

Lecture topics

23 October:  Parties: The Debate in Headlines

25 October Party Decline or Party Adaptation?

November 1 Protest Parties, ‘Anti’-Parties and APES

November 6:  How can we classify political parties?

November 8: From Party Politics to Personalized Politics?

November 13: Party Systems and Pariahs

November 15: There are fewer of them, but do parties need members?

November 20: Revisiting the debate about the ‘crisis of party’

Email registration essential by 11 October.

Compulsory preceding studies: POLPOP02 Introduction to Political Science, or equivalent studies at sending institution (exchange students).

Students will write an essay (maximum 8 pages of A4) in English or Finnish analysing the pros and cons of the ‘party decline’ thesis in a country of their choice.

5 ECTS for Bachelor's level completion (POLVOA41)
10 ECTS for Master's level completion (POLVOS28)

Further information from the teacher at the beginning of the course.

Course description: The phenomenon of military and security outsourcing has consequences in both the practices and politics of security. It has also been argued that it challenges the monopoly states have on war. In the post-Cold War era, the role of commercial actors has increasingly grown in the planning and execution of state foreign and security policy. While private military and security companies operate in conflict areas, other businesses provide services ranging from training to intelligence gathering.

This course will provide an overview of current topics in the research of military and security outsourcing. Beyond discussing the recent history and current situation related to the phenomenon, military and security outsourcing will also be used as examine larger themes in security studies, such as the changing nature of warfare, the relationship between war, state and citizens, and related norms and international laws.

Learning goals: Following the course, students will understand the role commercial actors have come to play in the execution of foreign and security policy. They will also be able to critically examine the consequences of these developments and place them in the larger context of changes in warfare and international security.

Compulsory preceding studies: POLPOP01 Introduction to International Relations, or equivalent studies at sending institution (exchange students).

Students write learning assignments independently. More specific instructions will be provided on the course's Moodle area in October 2018.

Please take into a consideration the required preceding studies and inform in the enrolment what basic course(s) in management and organizations you have.

Recommended time of study: the first year.

Obligatory previous studies: A basic course in management and organizations / business management or KATJOP11 Yrityksen johtamisen perusteet.

The students of the Degree Programme in Business Studies participate in the lecture course.

The course can be accomplished in three optional ways:

Option 1. The lecture course is offered in the third period.

Option 2. The independent study course in English is offered in the second, fourth and summer periods.

Option 3. The independent study course in Finnish is offered in the second, fourth and summer periods.

The course is part of online based LITO study module, which is meant for students taking  business courses as optional studies.  Priority in student selection is given to degree students of administration studies and politics and to the students who have previously taken LITO-courses. The courses on LITO study module cannot be included in the basic studies of Degree Programme of Business Studies.

The LITO study module is organised in collaboration with different univeristies. In order to register the credits, the home university needs to transfer some information considering the student (name, gender, email, nationality, Finnish identity code and home univeristy) to the university organizing the course. Information classified as secret will not be transfered. Without the transfer, it is not possible to get the credits.

For more information, contact study coordinator Elina Kangastupa (elina.kangastupa(a)uta.fi).

The course is part of online based LITO study module, which is meant for students taking  business courses as optional studies.  Priority in student selection is given to degree students of administration studies and politics and to the students who have previously taken LITO-courses. The courses on LITO study module cannot be included in the basic studies of Degree Programme of Business Studies.

The LITO study module is organised in collaboration with different univeristies. In order to register the credits, the home university needs to transfer some information considering the student (name, gender, email, nationality, Finnish identity code and home univeristy) to the university organizing the course. Information classified as secret will not be transfered. Without the transfer, it is not possible to get the credits.

Further instructions for students taking LITO studies

For more information, contact study coordinator Elina Kangastupa (elina.kangastupa(a)uta.fi).

Please note: Preceding studies

• KATVAA11 Business Ethics (5 ECTS) course (or corresponding studies) is a compulsory preceding course. You can complete Business Ethics course as independent study before or during KATVAA14 course. You will receive a grade for KATVAA14 course only after completing Business Ethics course or showing proof of corresponding studies.
• KATVAA12 Responsible Business and Social Accounting (5 ECTS) a recommended preceding course.

Option 1 (Lectures and essay) is organised in period III and option 2 (Independent study and essay) is available in periods I-II and IV.

Human rights are often violated and at the same time international community is attempting to protect them as the international human rights regime is well developed and gives the normative and legal bases for protection. This course provides an understanding of the meaning of human rights and the problems of human rights protection from the point of view of both politics and law. The questions are how and why human rights violations occur and what can be done to fight against them?   The course is divided in four parts.

After the introduction part of the course, the second part discusses human rights form the point of view of international relations, the third part from the international law perspective and in the fourth part these insights are put together in order to have a comprehensive understanding on the means to provide human rights protection. Human rights and fighting against their violations are studied in two cases which involve two assignments. 

Part I   Introduction to the course (Tarja Seppä and another teacher to be informed lated)

Part II   Human Rights in international society (Tarja Seppä)

Students understand different interpretations of the human rights concepts and their meaning in international relations. Students are able to analyze different human rights practices and understand human rights both as a conceptual issue of international relations and as a manifestation of human rights policies and practices. Thus, they also understand why human rights are not always respected but also know how to protect them. 

Part III Human rights and international law (to be informed later)

Students understand the main legal aspects of international protection of human rights and the role of supervisory mechanisms. Students are able to analyze different human rights related concepts and understand human rights as part of international and national legal order. They understand how human rights law can enhance protection of rights of individuals.  

Part IV   Fighting Against Human Rights Violations

Students have two different case studies involving both political and legal aspects of human rights protection. During these assignments students are able to apply in practice their acquired knowledge from parts II and III and understand interrelated nature of political and legal human rights discourse. The assignments are chosen to provide comprehensive understanding of both regional and universal protection systems. The idea is also to bring together at the same time both intergovernmental and non-governmental systems and the possibility for individuals to make a difference in the fight against human rights violations.

Study objective: After completing the course students understand and can critically analyse how politics and law are related in the practices of human rights.

Compulsory preceding studies: HALJUA42 Human Rights Law 5 op and POLPOP01 Introduction to International Relations 5 ECTS or POLPOP02 Introduction to Political Science 5 ECTS

The course as a web-based course is organized on a weekly basis meaning that students are working during each week of the course. 

Please, take this into consideration when planning your study program for the spring term.

The concept of politicization features prominently in the discussions on the future of democracy in Europe and the developments of European Integration. Prominent examples of politicization include Brexit, the euro crisis, the rise of variety of populist parties and questions concerning immigration and asylum policies.

The course will analyze the phenomenon of politicization from a variety of viewpoints. What does politicization actually mean and how should we define it? How broad a phenomenon is politicization? Is politicization a new or an old phenomenon? What causes politicization and what are its’ potential consequences? Is politicization a positive or negative development from the point of view of democracy or European integration?

Enrolment happens through contacting the teacher responsible via email from December 1st 2018 to January 7th 2019. Students majoring in political science will have priority access to the course, but students from other subjects or faculties can enroll in the course if places are still available.

Compulsory preceding studies: POLPOP02 Introduction to Political Science, or equivalent studies at sending institution (exchange students).

To pass the course the students are required to participate actively in the classroom, to participate in the group work and present it and to write a short lecture diary and essay. Each lecture will discuss one central theme. The seminar will consist of presenting the results of the group work and discussing their results. The aim is to debate the ethical and political aspects of politicization.

5 ECTS for Bachelor's level completion (POLVOA21 & POLVOA22)
10 ECTS for Master's level completion (POLVOS22)

Further information from the teacher at the beginning of the course.

Compulsory preceding studies: POLPOP01 Introduction to International Relations, or equivalent studies at sending institution (exchange students).

The course is an online course. The course comprises of an essay and a written exam of the course material.

KATVAA11 Business Ethics (5 ECTS) course (or corresponding studies) is a compulsory preceding course. Please notice, that it has to be completed before the beginning, or during, of course KATVAA12.

Option 1 (Lectures) is organised in period II and option 2 (Online course) is available in periods III-IV.

Lectures 28 hours

• Thu 17-Jan-2019 at 8-12,Main building D14
• Fri 18-Jan-2019 - 8-Feb-2019 weekly at 9-12,Main building A2a
• Thu 24-Jan-2019 - 14-Feb weekly at 9-12, Main building D14

The concept of politicization features prominently in the discussions on the future of democracy in Europe and the developments of European Integration. Prominent examples of politicization include Brexit, the euro crisis, the rise of variety of populist parties and questions concerning immigration and asylum policies.

The course will analyze the phenomenon of politicization from a variety of viewpoints. What does politicization actually mean and how should we define it? How broad a phenomenon is politicization? Is politicization a new or an old phenomenon? What causes politicization and what are its’ potential consequences? Is politicization a positive or negative development from the point of view of democracy or European integration?

Enrolment happens through contacting the teacher responsible via email from December 1st 2018 to January 7th 2019. Students majoring in political science will have priority access to the course, but students from other subjects or faculties can enroll in the course if places are still available.

Compulsory preceding studies: POLPOP02 Introduction to Political Science, or equivalent studies at sending institution (exchange students).

To pass the course the students are required to participate actively in the classroom, to participate in the group work and present it and to write a short lecture diary and essay. Each lecture will discuss one central theme. The seminar will consist of presenting the results of the group work and discussing their results. The aim is to debate the ethical and political aspects of politicization.

5 ECTS for Bachelor's level completion (POLVOA21 & POLVOA22)
10 ECTS for Master's level completion (POLVOS22)

Further information from the teacher at the beginning of the course.

Upon completing the course, the students have an advanced understanding of some of the wicked or difficult-to-solve policy problems in contemporary Europe and of the means by which to address them on the EU and national levels. In particular, the students will be able to analyse cases where these two levels are interconnected. Problem-based learning will illustrate the difficulties and prospects of problem resolution with examples on problems like borders policy, Brexit and consumer involvement.

Compulsory preceding studies: POLPOP01 Introduction to International Relations, or equivalent studies at sending institution (exchange students).

The course is part of online LITO study module, which is meant for students taking  business courses as optional studies.  Priority in student selection is given to degree students of administration studies and politics and to the students who have previously taken LITO-courses. The courses on LITO study module cannot be included in the basic studies of Degree Programme of Business Studies.

The LITO study module is organised in collaboration with different univeristies. In order to register the credits, the home university needs to transfer some information considering the student (name, gender, email, nationality, Finnish identity code and home univeristy) to the university organizing the course. Information classified as secret will not be transfered. Without the transfer, it is not possible to get the credits.

For more information, contact study coordinator Elina Kangastupa (elina.kangastupa(a)uta.fi).

Further instructions for students taking LITO studies

Note! This course is also possible to do in English.
The course is part of online based LITO study module, which is meant for students taking  business courses as optional studies.  Priority in student selection is given to degree students of administration studies and politics and to the students who have previously taken LITO-courses. The courses on LITO study module cannot be included in the basic studies of Degree Programme of Business Studies.

The LITO study module is organised in collaboration with different univeristies. In order to register the credits, the home university needs to transfer some information considering the student (name, gender, email, nationality, Finnish identity code and home univeristy) to the university organizing the course. Information classified as secret will not be transfered. Without the transfer, it is not possible to get the credits.

Further instructions for students taking LITO studies

For more information, contact study coordinator Elina Kangastupa (elina.kangastupa(a)uta.fi).

The course is part of online LITO study module, which is meant for students taking  business courses as optional studies.  Priority in student selection is given to degree students of administration studies and politics and to the students who have previously taken LITO-courses. The courses on LITO study module cannot be included in the basic studies of Degree Programme of Business Studies.

The LITO study module is organised in collaboration with different univeristies. In order to register the credits, the home university needs to transfer some information considering the student (name, gender, email, nationality, Finnish identity code and home univeristy) to the university organizing the course. Information classified as secret will not be transfered. Without the transfer, it is not possible to get the credits.

For more information, contact study coordinator Elina Kangastupa (elina.kangastupa(a)uta.fi).

Further instructions for students taking LITO studies

This course includes visitors from business, thus requires attendance on most of the lectures.

Please notice:

• Preceding studies KATVAA11 Business Ethics (5 ECTS) course (or corresponding studies) is a compulsory preceding course, and has to be completed before the beginning of the course KATVAA13.

The course covers different perspectives on the EU financial resources and the eurozone. We will utilize the public management planning and control cycle model to analyse these different aspects. The following topics will be covered (list not exhaustive):

- European (economic) integration
- EU Multiannual Financial Framework and annual budget
- Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)
- Eurocrisis
- EU structural funds
- Current challenges to the EU

Option 2 is a web-based independent study module. The course consists of independent study and an individual essay.

Please note! You can sing up for the course after the official registration time by sending an e-mail to the teacher outi.lehtonen@tuni.fi

The course consists of independent study and a final essay. Students can write and hand-in the essay any time during the course. The essay can be written in English or in Finnish. Essay instructions are given on course moodle page.

KATVAA11 Business Ethics (5 ECTS) course (or corresponding studies) is a compulsory preceding course. Please note that it has to be completed before the beginning of, or during, course KATVAA14.

KATVAA14 Option 1 (lectures) is organised in period III. KATVAA14 Option 2 (independent study) is organised in periods I-II and IV.

It is a fair bet that on any day of the year there will be an election somewhere, whether at the local, regional, national or supranational level. Somebody whispered to me that there is a general election coming up in Finland. But what is the point of elections? What do they decide – if anything? Few candidates like them, many voters dislike them and they are expensive at public expense. This course offers a fundamental examination of the multiple aspects of elections and the electoral process, with primary reference to contemporary representative democracies.

Indicative Content

1. The framework of electoral rules. The impact of the voting system rules on candidate selection and candidate election. Plurality, preferential and mixed member systems
2. Election campaigns. How much do national party campaigns really affect voters? Has there been a ‘presidentialisation’ of election campaigns? Do candidate campaigns in the constituency really matter?
3. The mediatisation of elections. Are the media (print/broadcast) decisive electoral actors? Do the media determine the campaign agenda? What about the role of the so-called social media?
4. The digitalisation of elections. How far does this varying from one country to another? Voting Advice Application. Video blogs. How do individual candidates communicate digitally with prospective voters?
5. Electoral outcomes. Do elections decide who governs? If not, who does? If elections do not determine who governs, what do they decide? Descriptive representation. Can we distinguish between ‘decisive’ and ‘indecisive’ elections?

Course Schedule

March 5 Why hold elections?

March 7 What should elections seek to achieve?

March 12 Do electoral actors play by the rules?

March 14 Do campaigns matter?

March 19 Have elections become more personalised?

March 21 Are elections decisive?

March 26 Do elections change the direction of policies?

March 28 Concluding Discussion: So what else did you want to know about elections but have’nt dared to ask?

Email registration essential by 25 February

Compulsory preceding studies: POLPOP02 Introduction to Political Science, or equivalent studies at sending institution (exchange students).

5 ECTS for Bachelor's level completion (POLVOA41)
10 ECTS for Master's level completion (POLVOS28)

Further information from the teacher at the beginning of the course.

Students write learning assignments independently. More specific instructions will be provided on the course's Moodle area before the course starts.

Recommended time of study: the first year.

Compulsory preceding studies: A basic course in management and organizations / business management or KATJOP11 Yrityksen johtamisen perusteet.

The students of the Degree Programme in Business Studies participate in the lecture course.

The course can be accomplished in three optional ways:

Option 1. The lecture course is offered in the third period.

Option 2. The independent study course in English is offered in the second, fourth and summer periods.

Option 3. The independent study course in Finnish is offered in the second, fourth and summer periods.

Presidents of the Republic are crucial actors in both presidential and many (but not all) semi-presidential regimes. Despite the fact that those regime types represent the majority of all the world’s political systems, the role of the heads of state has only received more systematic attention. Particularly the presidential party remains understudied both theoretically and empirically. Drawing on comparative research and on illustrative examples from various countries, the course shows how the party of the president is a key political actor that affects presidential activity during her or his mandate and impacts on electoral and legislative outcomes.

Registration by email to the teacher before 31.3.2019.

Compulsory preceding studies: POLPOP02 Introduction to Political Science, or equivalent studies at sending institution (exchange students).

5 ECTS for Bachelor's level completion (POLVOA31 & POLVOA32)
10 ECTS for Master's level completion (POLVOS27)

The course is part of online based LITO study module, which is meant for students taking  business courses as optional studies.  Priority in student selection is given to degree students of administration studies and politics and to the students who have previously taken LITO-courses. The courses on LITO study module cannot be included in the basic studies of Degree Programme of Business Studies.

The LITO study module is organised in collaboration with different univeristies. In order to register the credits, the home university needs to transfer some information considering the student (name, gender, email, nationality, Finnish identity code and home univeristy) to the university organizing the course. Information classified as secret will not be transfered. Without the transfer, it is not possible to get the credits.

Further instructions for students taking LITO studies

For more information, contact study coordinator Elina Kangastupa (elina.kangastupa(a)uta.fi).

The course is part of online LITO study module, which is meant for students taking  business courses as optional studies.  Priority in student selection is given to degree students of administration studies and politics and to the students who have previously taken LITO-courses. The courses on LITO study module cannot be included in the basic studies of Degree Programme of Business Studies.

The LITO study module is organised in collaboration with different univeristies. In order to register the credits, the home university needs to transfer some information considering the student (name, gender, email, nationality, Finnish identity code and home univeristy) to the university organizing the course. Information classified as secret will not be transfered. Without the transfer, it is not possible to get the credits.

For more information, contact study coordinator Elina Kangastupa (elina.kangastupa(a)uta.fi).

Further instructions for students taking LITO studies