HGO4401 – Autocratization, democratization and civil society in the Global South
Course description
Course content
This course examines the dynamics and forms of democratization in developing countries, with special emphasis on the politics of democratic transition, deepening and decline. The first part of the course focuses on drivers and modalities of democratization and representation. This is followed by a section that examines the contemporary forms and dynamics of autocratization - democratization in reverse - and the sources of resilience and resistance against autocratization. The last part of the course studies international engagement in democratization and peacebuilding and the links between democratization/autocratization and (il)liberal peacebuilding. Throughout the course there is a focus on the interplay between key political actors (elites, political parties, civil society organizations) and their political spaces (institutions, discourses, alliances etc.) and how these relations produce and transform democracies/autocracies. Primary attention is given to popular actors in civil society and their political strategies.
The course draws on interdisciplinary literature and debates, while also foregrounding political geographic approaches and contributions. The course is designed to give a broad overview of the field and a theoretical basis for master degree studies in human geography within the field of democratization and civil society in developing studies.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
Students shall attain:
- A good overview of key theoretical issues and debates on democratization/autocratization and civil society in developing countries
- A good understanding of political geographic approaches to and selected contextual cases of democratization/autocratization and civil society in developing countries
Skills
Students shall attain:
Ability to understand and critically assess theoretical and contextual literature on democratization/autocratization and civil society in developing countries
Ability to write an academic review paper at an advanced level within the course topic
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Competences
Students shall attain:
- Critical reflexivity around the form, substance and political dynamics of democratization/autocratization and popular participation/representation in developing countries
- Reflexivity around theoretical strategies and challenges of doing research on democratization and civil society in the Global South
Admission to the course
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.
This course is a part of the Master`s program in Human Geography. Students with admission to other relevant master’s degree programmes can apply for admission as guest students.
Master specialisation in didactics for social science in the Teacher Education Programme (Lektorprogrammet) - please see the link for information regarding admission.
Recommended previous knowledge
An introductory course in political geography or politics and development, for example SGO2400 – Politisk geografi or STV2310 – Politics and development (discontinued)
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with SGO4401 – Democratization and civil society in developing countries (continued).
- 10 credits overlap with SGO4014 – Politisk geografi (discontinued).
- 10 credits overlap with SGO314.
Teaching
This course is taught at the University of Oslo, Blindern campus. Other locations in Oslo may be used.
The lectures are given in English.
Teaching takes place throughout the semester, as outlined in the course plan.
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Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
Term paper.
Assessment is based on a term paper that students will work on throughout the semester.
The topic for the term paper is decided by each student in consultation with the course instructor(s), and must be within the thematic focus of the course. The maximum length of the term paper is 4000 words (plus references and notes).
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.
Examination support material
All exam support materials are allowed during this exam. Generating all or part of the exam answer using AI tools such as Chat GPT or similar is not allowed.?
Language of examination
You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
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.
Resit an examination
If you are sick or have another valid reason for not attending the regular exam, we offer a postponed exam later in the same semester.
See also our information about resitting an exam.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.