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

The evaluations of students is based on class attendance and participation (20%), reading assignments (30%) and the final essay based on theories covered in the course (50%).

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.