Course Syllabus

Swedish Politics and Society

                               

Semester & Location:	Fall 2025 - DIS Stockholm
Type & Credits:	Elective Course - 3 credits
Major Disciplines:	Political Science, Sociology, International Relations
Faculty Members:	Steve Turner (current students please use the Canvas Inbox) stephen.turner@disstockholm.se
Time & Place:	Mondays & Thursdays, 11:40-13:00 Classroom: D 508

Course Description

This course is designed to give you a broad-based understanding of “how Sweden works” by carefully examining the rich interplay between Swedish culture, politics, and society. The “Swedish model” – based on an ambitious effort to combine extensive social welfare with a competitive economy – has long served as a beacon for the political Left and a bogeyman for the political Right.

In illuminating the main features, strengths and weaknesses of the Swedish model, the course not only helps to “make sense of Sweden”, but provides a powerful comparative framework for understanding the multifaceted social and political challenges of modern society. As we carefully examine the changing Swedish political environment, we will gain important insights into the dynamics of polarization and populism that threaten the institutions of liberal democracy today.

 The course is organized around the following themes:

• Sweden as a "WEIRD" culture
• The Swedish political system and political parties
• The welfare state and inequality
• The Swedish Educational System
• Populism and Political Extremism
• The European union
• Sweden in the World

 

Learning Objectives

This course has four major objectives:

1. To provide extensive insight into Swedish culture, politics and society so that you gain a richer understanding of your day-to-day experience in Sweden
2. To help you to think very carefully about the complex relation between “objective facts” and the “subjective interpretation” of those facts. Building on essential findings in cognitive and political psychology, we will develop a richer understanding of how our interpretation of political reality is shaped both by the structure of the mind and by our subjective sense of group identity.  
3. To use contemporary Sweden as a case study for analyzing the polarization and populism that characterizes – and threatens – the institutions of liberal democracy.
4. To assist you in the development of essential skills – in analytical thinking and in both oral and written presentation - that are vital not only in navigating contemporary politics, but in flourishing in the game of life.

 

Faculty

Steve Turner / Marcus Carson

DIS Stockholm Faculty

Steve Turner - M.A. in Political Sociology, Harvard University.  Extensive teaching experience in comparative politics, multiculturalism, globalization, welfare state policy, security studies and political psychology.  Also an avid squash player and SUP wing surfer. With DIS since 2016.

Marcus Carson - Associate Professor of Sociology, PhD in political sociology from Stockholm University, BA in Psychology from Kalamazoo College (with minor in health sciences). Carson was previously Senior Research Fellow at Stockholm Environment Institute, where among other things, he was Project Lead for the Arctic Resilience Report (2016) and subsequent project on Resilience of Arctic Wetlands. Earlier professional roles include Executive Director for the Louisiana Health Care Campaign and Legislative & Political Director for SEIU Local 100 in Louisiana, winning expansions of health care access, voting rights improvements and protecting worker’s rights. Decades-long experience integrating scientific research, policy and practice across fields of human rights and social & environmental sustainability. Also an active runner, hiker and sea kayaker. New to DIS in 2025.

  

  

Readings

• Collier, Paul. (2013) Exodus: Immigration and Multiculturalism in the 21st Century. Selected chapters.  Penguin

  Garland, David. (2016) The Welfare State: A Very Short Introduction.  Haidt, Jonathan (2016) "When and Why Nationalism Beats Globalism"  (2016) The American Interest (p.1-8)

  Okin, Susan Moller. (1997) Is Multiculturalism Bad for Women?"   The Boston Review

  Stratfor Worldview. (2009)  The Geopolitics of Sweden: A Baltic Power Reborn"    6 pages

  Woolridge, Adrian. (2013) “Nordic Lights” .  February 2, 2013.  The Economist

 

Field Studies

1. Wednesday, October 1:  9:00-12:00  A visit to the Swedish Riksdag (Parliament). We will have a guided tour and meet with a Member of Parliament. 

2. Wednesday,  November 12:  13:00-16:00. A visit to a Swedish High School 

Guest Lecturers

We will meet with a couple of Swedish experts during the term. 

Approach to Teaching

My approach to teaching is based on a core assumption: Learning is a collective endeavor in which the contribution of each individual has an impact on how much is learned overall. Lectures can serve a valuable purpose both in providing useful information and in stimulating creative thought. But genuine learning takes place only when the student takes an active role – in reading carefully, thinking critically, in raising questions and objections, and in listening to others. It is only through engaged dialogue that we have the capacity to enrich our understanding of the world.

 

Expectation of the Students

My expectation is that students will actively engage in the learning process, both inside and outside the classroom.   

The course utilizes a variety of pedagogical methods, including lectures, discussions, student presentations, policy simulations, and study visits. There is a strong emphasis on discussion and student participation. Everyone is expected to not only complete the readings for each class, but to come to class well prepared to engage in discussion.

A Word on Laptops in the Classroom

The default policy for this class is NO laptops in the classroom.  Both academic research and personal experience have shown laptops to be an enormous source of distraction and an impediment to engaged discussion as well as learning. Thank you for your understanding. 

Attendance at all lectures and field studies is mandatory.

Note that it is important to check your e-mail and DIS Canvas regularly since outlines, exam info etc. will be distributed here.

Evaluation

Attending class earns a grade of 80; Raising questions and engaging in discussions earns additional points

Pre-class prep is based on regular Canvas "Quizzes"

To be eligible for a passing grade in this class you must complete all the assigned work.

More information on the assignments, requirements and deadlines will be available on DIS Canvas.

Class Representatives: Class representatives will be elected at the beginning of the semester. Communicate your feedback on the course to the two representatives. See DIS Canvas if you are unsure who they are. 

 

Grading

Assignment	Percent
Attendance/Active Engagement	20%
Pre-Class Prep	40%
Take Home Exam 1	25%
Final Project	15%

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on: 

• Course Enrollment and Grading  
• Academic Expectations and Honor Code 

 

 

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org