STV1101 – Introduction to Political Utopias
Course content
Teaching and examination in STV1101 was given for the last time autumn 2014.
The course introduces students to the genre of literary utopias and the history of utopian thinking. Some of the most important literary utopias, including a classic dystopia, will be read and discussed as manifestations of political ideologies and expressions of fundamental social criticism. The course will show how utopian texts can be used as relevant contributions to theoretical debate and analysis in the discipline of political science.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
Students will:
- obtain knowledge and understanding of the genre of literary utopias;
- understand how this genre, as well as utopian thinking in general, can contribute to political theory and debate;
- acquire first-hand knowledge of some of the most important literary utopias and contemporary contributions to the international utopian scholarship;
- be acquainted with ideas of alternative ways of organizing social and political institutions.
Skills
Students will:
- learn to read and analyse utopian texts as expressions of social criticism and political ideologies;
- learn to compare and evaluate utopian ideals and proposals;
- learn to discuss the benefits and dangers of utopias and utopian ideas.
Competences
Students will:
- enhance their capability to question and discuss present social and political realities;
- enhance their capability to formulate and reflect on their own ideas of “the good society”.
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
No obligatory prerequisites beyond the minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway.
Examination
4 hours written exam.
Examination support material
Students may use dictionaries at this exam. Dictionaries must be handed in before the examination. Please read regulations for dictionaries permitted at the examination.
Language of examination
The 4-hour written exam will be given in English only. The students can choose whether they will answer the exam questions in English, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.