The roots of the modern mass political party start in the United States. When compared to their European parliamentary counterparts, though, American parties appear relatively weak and less relevant. American political parties, however, play important roles in the American political system and exert significant influences over the nature of political debate, how elections are conducted, and how government operates. American political parties are most often conceived as being comprised of three distinct, yet interrelated spheres: the party as an organization, the party in the electorate, and the party in government. We will address each of these aspects of American parties starting with the emergence of parties in the United States. From there, we will learn about party alignments and realignments in the American electorate over time. Since 2014 marks a midterm election in the US, we will learn about the unique qualities of such elections in the US. With respect to the party in government, we will learn about the consequences of increased ideological polarization in the American policy making process.

Email registration to timothy.nokken@uta.fi by 5 September 2014

This course is an introduction to the Finnish Political System and Finnish Political History. The main focus of the course is on the development of the Finnish Political System from 1809 until the 21st century. This course provides an overview of the Constitution, political decision making, political participation, tripartite agreements and welfare.

After the course, students are expected to understand the key features of Finnish political history, the political system and society, as well as able to perceive the political position and national identity of Finland in a wider context: Scandinavia, Russia and the EU.

Enrolment is conducted at the first lecture.

Carey and Shugart (1995: 419) have noted how “the national celebrity enjoyed by movie stars or athletes can translate into valuable personal reputation in some electoral systems”. In the US the names of Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger, in the UK Sebastian Coe and in Finland ‘Julma’ Juha Väätäinen or Juha Mieto come readily to mind. This course explores the phenomenon of ‘celebrity politics’. It distinguishes between the ‘celebrity candidate’, the ‘celebrity politician’ and the ‘celebrity advocate’ and considers inter alia the wider implications of celebrity politics for representative democracy. The theoretical contribution of the course is to place the ‘celebrity phenomenon’ at the junction of four broad research fields – the mediatisation of politics, the personalisation of politics, the individualisation of electioneering and work on partisan de-alignment. The overarching question is: ‘Does celebrity politics matter?’ (Street 2012) The original James Bond has endorsed Scottish independence!

Course Programme

October 28 Introduction to the world of celebrity politics. How the course came about

October 30 Exploring the celebrity density of politics. Defining celebrity types

November 4 Explaining the celebrity density of politics. Some interlocking theory

November 6 Estimating the value of the celebrity candidate. The Finnish case

November 11 Does celebrity politics matter? What are its implications for representative democracy?

November 13 No session (I shall be in Strasbourg)

November 18 Concluding discussion

Email registration to david.arter@uta.fi by October 20

This course provides an introduction and overview over the disciplines of political and critical discourse analysis. The course will focus on various scholars and their approaches to political discourse analysis as a tool to analyzing power relations. There is no set single approach, as the field is quite porous. The related works of scholars will be made available for the students for reading, analysis, and reflection during the course.

After the course, the students are expected to better understand the various approaches to political discourse analysis and are better equipped to utilize these theories in their forthcoming work. The students will be more adept at spotting discursive practices in political speech and the media and evaluate possible underlying modes of argumentation.

The language of the course is English, so students are expected to be reasonably proficient in reading and writing academic texts in this language.

Email registration to mikko.poutanen@uta.fi

The course can be taken as a part of the intermediate (aineopinnot) or advanced studies (syventävät opinnot). The intermediate studies completion is 5 credits, advanced studies 10 credits. Evaluation criteria includes active participation in the seminar, topical presentation in seminar, and essay (8–12 pages on one of the presented approaches).

For 10 credits the students will do a longer independent written work, as well as face more stringent grading.

For more details, contact the teacher responsible. Final course requirements will be given in the course syllabus.

- Background, rationale, and the political process that led to the Millennium Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

- The contents of each MDG

- Current progress in achieving the goals

- Introduction to the research projects related to the MDGs

- Overview of the global development targets after the MDG period

If you are not an UTA-student, please register through the following link. Thank you.
https://elomake3.uta.fi/lomakkeet/12881/lomake.html

Program

14.10. Prep. session by Elina Noppari

16.10. Background

• Prof.Per Ashorn,UTA; Prof.Jukka Pirttilä,UNU-WIDER

23.10. MDG 1:Halving poverty and hunger

• Dr.Kai Öistämö,Chair of UTA board;Adj. Prof. Teppo Eskelinen,Univ.E-Fin;Prof.Tuomas Takala,UTA

28.10. Learning session by Elina Noppari

30.10. MDG 2:Basic education for all

• Jussi Karakoski,MFA; Prof.Heikki Lyytinen,U.of J-kylä,Dr.Elina Oinas,U.of Helsinki (UH)

06.11. MDG 3:Gender equity

• Prof.Anna Mia Ekström,Karolinska Inst.(KI);
• Reetta Meriläinen,Chair at Women’s Bank, Tiina Vaittinen,UTA, Mikko Perkiö,UTA

13.11. MDG6:Fight against HIV, malaria and tuberculosis

• Terhi Heinäsmäki,Spec.Phys;Dr.Mika Aaltola, Prog.Dir,The Finn. Inst. of Int.Aff;Dr.Taneli Puumalainen,Chief Phys,THL

20.11. MDG 4:Reducing child mortality

• Adj.Prof.André Briend,UTA,formerly WHO; Prof.Timo Vesikari,UTA; Assoc.Prof.Ayesha De Costa,KI

27.11. MDG 5:Reducing maternal mortality

• Prof.Emer.Staffan Bergstrom,KI; Dr.Teija Kulmala, Chief Phys,THL; Dr.Lea Kauppi, Dir.General,Finnish Env. Inst.

04.12. MDG 7:Ensuring envir. sustainability

Satu Hassi,formerMEP;Adj.Prof.JarmoHukka,TUT; Adj.Prof.Jari Kaivo-oja,U.of Turku;Prof.Liisa Laakso,UH

11.12. MDG 8:Global partnership

CEO Antti Pentikäinen,Finn. Church Aid,Prof.Howy Jacobs,UTA

18.12. What Next

• Dr.Öistämö,UTA
• Prof. Risto Kunelius,UTA
• Varpu Jutila,TAMY

Compensates RES18.

The course is in English (a web-based course).

Registration in December 2014, starting 1st of December. See

“Scotland is one of the world’s wealthiest nations, our GDP per head is higher than in the UK as a whole, it is higher than France, higher than Japan. We have contributed more in tax revenues per head of population than the rest of the United Kingdom for each and every one of the last thirty-three years. We have creative genius, we are a nation of innovators, we have a brilliant manufacturing industry, we have a world class food and drink industry, astonishing natural resources, huge potential in renewables and an oil and gas industry which will be producing many billions of barrels of oil for many decades to come.”

Speech in the Scottish Parliament on August 21 2014 by the leader of the Scottish National Party and Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond

This short course on Scottish Politics will be structured around four broad themes.

The Road to Independence

An analysis of the independence debate and the result of the September 18 2014 on the question – Do you want Scotland to be an independent country?

Scotland in the United Kingdom

Scottish representation in Westminster. From the 1979 referendum on devolution to the 1997 referendum on devolution. Mrs Thatcher; the poll tax and the road to the Scottish Parliament. The Consultative Steering Group’s principles and the notion of ‘new politics’

The Scottish Political System

The German-style electoral system; the Scottish party system; the Scottish parliament and government at work

Scotland as a small democracy

Scotland and Scandinavia; Scotland and the Nordic model; the welfare system, education and health. The Gaelic language; tourism; the Loch Ness monster; and the deep-fried Mars Bar

LECTURE SCHEDULE

January 15  Scotland: A Nordic Nation?

January 16  Who do the Scots think they are?

January 22  The Rise of Scottish Nationalism

January 23 How the Scottish National Party ‘conquered’ Scotland

January 29 What are the Lessons of the September 18 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum?

January 30 The ‘Neverendum’

February 5  A ‘New Politics’ in Scotland?

February 6 Scotland in Europe

Email registration to david.arter@uta.fi by January 8

This course is centered around finding political scenarios and debates in fictive texts. Politics is an integral part of many fictive texts, and often used to reflect real world issues, debates, and political scenarios. Many seminal works of science fiction, for example, extrapolate political issues like forms of government, pacifism, militarism and ethnic cleansing into contexts where they can be addressed in ways less suited for traditional political science. Weekly reading material will be made available for the students for reading, analysis, and reflection during the course.  

After the course, the students are expected to better understand how politics can be presented in fiction, and how these fictional politics can be used to make sense of actual political events. The students will be more adept at spotting political scenarios and reconstructing them in various contexts.  

The language of the course is English, so students are expected to be reasonably proficient in reading and writing academic texts in this language. English degree programme students can join students of Political Science on the course for a richer mutual understanding of disciplines and the texts.

Email registration to mikko.poutanen@uta.fi

The course can be taken as a part of the intermediate (aineopinnot) or advanced studies (syventävät opinnot). The intermediate studies completion is 5 credits, advanced studies 10 credits. Evaluation criteria includes active participation in the seminar, topical presentation in seminar, and essay (8–12 pages on one of the presented approaches).

For 10 credits the students will do a longer independent written work, as well as face more stringent grading.

For more details, contact the teacher responsible. Final course requirements will be given in the course syllabus.

Virtual course in Moodle.

Registering by email to eero.palmujoki(at)uta.fi.

Draft programme: 

17.3. Introduction

19.3. Functionalism and federalism

24.3. Realism, intergovernmentalism

26.3. Constructivism

31.3. Constructivism, 'hands-on' exercise

9.4. Explaining enlargement

14.4. The EU as a strategic actor

16.4. Inter-organisational relations

21.4. The EU as a normative power

23.4. Explaining disintegration; conclusions

Students of the RES programme can use this course to compensate RES11.

Content

Historical evolution, UN System; International Justice, Humanitarian Intervention; International Economic Institutions; Global Health, Environmental Governance

The course addresses Russia’s foreign policy from Gorbachev’s New Thinking until 2014. Students will learn about key events, phenomena, actors, and  different foreign policy schools, and concepts to characterize them. The course will also encourage students to pay attention to interaction between the domestic and foreign policy in the Russian context.

Please enroll in NettiOpsu by 17 March.  A maximum of 50 students will be accepted to the course (on the basis of first come, first served). The first lecture will take place 26 March and the last one 21 May. You cannot take this course unless you are able to come to the last lecture – a conference with your presentations will take place on that particular day (at 14-19).

The course is in English (a web-based course).

Registration in December 2014, starting 1st of December. See

The European Parliament brings together 751 MEPs from 28 EU member states. Initially just a talking shop, the EP is nowadays arguably one of the most powerful legislatures in the world. Decision-making in the Parliament is in turn based on interaction between committees and party groups. The objective of this course is to understand behavior and political dynamics in the Parliament.

The course consists of introductory lectures and seminars where students are expected to carry out empirical research on parliamentary behaviour. In the seminars the students must produce both an essay and an oral presentation on a particular aspect of the Parliament's work. 

Attendance is compulsory throughout the course.

Email registration to tapio.raunio@uta.fi by March 13 essential

The course critically examines the underlying structural and institutional causes of the Euro crisis. After completion, students will have a better understanding of the basic features of economic governance under the Economic and Monetary Union and the governance reforms implemented during the euro crisis. Students will be able to orient current developments within an appropriate historical context and understand the limitations this history imposes on the contemporary policy landscape.

Space is limited to 15-20 students. Given the topical nature of this course, a high level of interest is anticipated. Early registration is therefore essential to ensure your place. Registration opens in early February 2015.

Note that students are expected to fulfill both evaluation criteria.
No partial credit will be awarded.

This course is centered around finding political scenarios and debates in fictive texts. Politics is an integral part of many fictive texts, and often used to reflect real world issues, debates, and political scenarios. Many seminal works of science fiction, for example, extrapolate political issues like forms of government, pacifism, militarism and ethnic cleansing into contexts where they can be addressed in ways less suited for traditional political science. Weekly reading material will be made available for the students for reading, analysis, and reflection during the course.  

After the course, the students are expected to better understand how politics can be presented in fiction, and how these fictional politics can be used to make sense of actual political events. The students will be more adept at spotting political scenarios and reconstructing them in various contexts.  

The language of the course is English, so students are expected to be reasonably proficient in reading and writing academic texts in this language. English degree programme students can join students of Political Science on the course for a richer mutual understanding of disciplines and the texts.

Email registration to mikko.poutanen@uta.fi

The course can be taken as a part of the intermediate (aineopinnot) or advanced studies (syventävät opinnot). The intermediate studies completion is 5 credits, advanced studies 10 credits. Evaluation criteria includes active participation in the seminar, topical presentation in seminar, and essay (8–12 pages on one of the presented approaches).

For 10 credits the students will do a longer independent written work, as well as face more stringent grading.

For more details, contact the teacher responsible. Final course requirements will be given in the course syllabus.

Virtual course in Moodle.

Registering by email to eero.palmujoki(at)uta.fi.

Lectures

I Theories of poverty seen from economics, social science, and ecology (Thu 12.3. at 15.15-18.00, 3x35 min + 10 min debate each), PinniB-building Lecture hall 1097

-          Welcome & Introduction to the Course: Mikko Perkiö, University Instructor, UTA, Coordinator of the Course 15.15-15.30

-          Ways out of Global Poverty? Dr. Miguel Niño-Zarazúa, Reserch Fellow UNU-WIDER, 15.30-16.15

-          BREAK 16.15-16.30

-          Poverty: From Economic to Social and Ecological Indicators, Marko Ulvila, Author, 16.30-17.15

-          Ecology and poverty, Dr. Ville Lähde, Author, 17.15-18.00

II Policies 1 (Thu 19.3. at 15.15-17.45, 3x35 min + 10 min debate each), Paavo Koli Auditorium, PinniA-building

-          A Global Development Update: How does Sustainable Governance of Natural Resources Link to Poverty Reduction? (Dr. Marikki Stocchetti, Secretary General, Development Policy Committee, Ministry for Foreign Affairs) 15.15-16.00

-          BREAK 16.00-16.15

-          Politics of Global Poverty, Dr. Timo Voipio, Senior Adviser, Ministry for Foreign Affairs 16.15-17.00

-          Basic Income Pilots in Low Income Countries, Johanna Perkiö, Researcher, UTA 17.00-17.45

III Policies 2 (Thu 26.3. at 15.15-18.30, (75 min + 15 min debate) + 2x35 min + 10 min debate each), Paavo Koli Auditorium, PinniA-building

-          Roles of Public Economy and Taxation Prof. Jukka Pirttilä, UNU-WIDER & UTA & Matti Ylönen, Researcher, University of Helsinki 15.15-16.45

-          BREAK 16.45-17.00

-          Interconnections between Poverty and Schooling, Prof. Tuomas Takala, UTA 17.00-17.45

-          Interconnections between Poverty and Health, Dr. Meri Koivusalo, Senior Researcher, National Institute for Health and Welfare 17.45-18.30

There is a brief pre-test as a pre-condition to enrol on the course at: https://elomake3.uta.fi/lomakkeet/14105/lomake.html