Despite recent concerns about a crisis of democracy, parliaments are to be the central political arenas in any liberal democracies. They are the key linkages between government and civil society backbenchers. This course is designed to provide students with a policy-relevant and theoretically informed examination of parliaments in the Nordic Countries. It is therefore concerned with both the formal processes and the traditions and relationships that characterize these institutions. Students are however incited to situate these cases in a wider European context.

Students will develop a detailed knowledge of parliaments and they will situate this alongside wider concerns about scrutiny and democratic engagement. The course will include a visit of the Eduskunta (Parliament of Finland) as well as guest lectures.

Email registration by the teacher is essential by 19/02/2019. Early registration is needed in order to organize the visit of the Eduskunta. No late registration will be accepted.

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

This course adopts a seminar format. There are no lectures. 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%).

5 ECTS for Bachelor's level completion (POLVOA32)
10 ECTS for Master's level completion (POLVOS27 & POMLFCS1)