Stockholm university
Gå till denna sida på svenska webben

Politics and Popular Culture

Course on advanced level/second cycle. in English. The course is about narratives of politics in a globalized world, and more specifically depictions of contemporary world politics in science fiction and fantasy (SF).

Several key concepts to be explored are central to theoretical debates in both the humanities and social sciences, but tend to be used in very different ways by political scientists and media scholars - concepts such as realism, representation, identity, myth and power.

The course is structured around two theoretical traditions: the study of international relations, and narrative theory.

No previous knowledge of either field is required, nor are students supposed to become experts in these traditions by the end of the course. Instead, students will be expected to make scholarship out of the banal, by relating these theories to the sorts of popular culture texts encountered in everyday life, and in particular novels and films from the science fiction and fantasy genre.

  • Course structure

    After completing the course, the student can
    - compare myths about politics in IR and popular cultural texts,
    - show oral and written ability to understand both the theoretical traditions of the course and the related concepts and epistemological points of departure,
    - distinguish between primary and secondary sources, and show ability to compare different sources' ways of passing on knowledge of world politics; and apply these insights to independent analysis of popular cultural texts.

    Teaching format

    Teaching takes place in English in the form of lectures and seminars. All teaching is compulsory.

    Assessment

    The course is examined through a home exam, written assignments and an oral presentation. For more detailed information, see the course description.

     

    Examiner

    Examinatorer HT20

  • Schedule

    The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course.

  • Course literature

    Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.

    Published two months before course start.

    See syllabus archive for all reading lists

  • Course reports

  • Contact

    studievagledare@ims.su.se

Selected reading

Step-by-step guide

Here we explain all the different steps you need to go through when applying to a course or programme. Please read the instructions carefully.

A woman in focus holding a tablet and smiling, a couple of other blurred people in front of her.

Meet us online and around the world

Stockholm University arranges regular webinars and participates in educational fairs and events virtually and around the world to meet students and inform them about our study programmes. Meet us and ask what it's like to study with us!

Mahmoud Suliman on a boat in Stockholm.

Students of Stockholm University

Every year Stockholm University welcomes thousands of international students from all over the world. Each bringing their own backpack full of experiences, expectations and dreams. Each with their own story.

Photo montage of close-ups of researchers.

Our researchers. Your teachers

As a student at Stockholm University, you will have direct contact with leading researchers in your field and access to the most recent scientific findings. Our researchers. Your teachers. Meet a few of them here.

Elisa Viteri in front of some greenery.

Hear from our alumni

Are you wondering what former students thought about your programme? Are you curious about what your education can lead to after graduation? Hear from our alumni!

Show more