INT1017 Comparative Politics

    • Course code
      INT1017
    • Number of credits
      10
    • Teaching semester
      2026 Autumn
    • Language of instruction and examination
      English
    • Campus
      Lillehammer
    • Required prerequisite knowledge

      None

Course content

The course provides an introduction to:

  • Comparative politics as a core subfield of political science, focusing on the study of politics within and across states.
  • Political regimes, actors, and processes, analyzed through empirical comparison across different political systems.
  • Major theories and central questions in comparative politics.
  • Key analytical tools, including concepts of the state, government, and regime typologies.
  • The methodology of comparison and its application in political analysis.

Learning outcome

Having passed the course, the student has gained the following learning outcome:

Knowledge

Students will be able to:

  • understand key questions, concepts, and theories in comparative politics
  • recognize major differences between regime types and forms of government, and how these differences shape the distribution of power
  • understand how and why regimes and political behavior vary and change, and the consequences of such changes
  • be familiar with the political institutions of democratic and authoritarian systems, and their respective policy-making processes
  • understand voter and party behavior, as well as different electoral and party systems
  • be knowledgeable about interest groups, social movements, and collective protest
Skills

Students will be able to:

  • analyze national political systems and compare political elements across countries, assessing the effects of institutional differences
  • define and describe variation in regime types, forms of government, and political institutions
  • explain different forms of political participation and organized collective action
  • write in accordance with academic standards, including proper referencing and adherence to principles of academic integrity
General competence

Students will be able to:

  • critically compare theoretical arguments and evaluate empirical evidence
  • apply conceptual and theoretical knowledge to empirical cases
  • discuss key analytical questions using multiple sources, both in writing and in group discussions
  • communicate informed perspectives on national politics and public affairs in academic and public contexts
Working and teaching methods

The course consists of lectures and seminars.

  • Lectures introduce and explain key concepts, theories, and developments in comparative politics, supported by empirical examples.
  • Seminars involve active student participation through presentations, discussions, and analysis of visual materials such as videos.
  • The syllabus includes core textbooks supplemented by selected articles and book chapters.
Compulsory activities

Mandatory Participation

  • Students are required to attend at least 80% of the seminars, including those involving individual or group presentations.

 

Required Coursework

Students must complete two written assignments, both linked to seminar presentations:

  • One individual written assignment and presentation.
  • One group written assignment and presentation.
Examination
Form of assessmentGrading scaleGroupingDuration of assessmentSupport materialsProportionComments
Written examination with supervision
ECTS - A-F
Individual
4 Hour(s)
  • None
100%
Form of assessment

An individual 4-hour school exam.

Reading list

Course name in Norwegian Nynorsk: 
Comparative Politics
Course name in Norwegian Bokmål: 
Sammenlignende politikk
Faculty
Inland School of Business and Social Sciences
Department
Department of Law, Philosophy and International studies with history
Area of study
Samfunnsvitenskapelige fag
Programme of study
Bachelor of international studies
Course level
Foundation courses, level I (100-LN)