Cultural Perspectives on Politics
7.5 credits
Politics involves meaning: how human beings think, speak and feel about who they are, the kind of societies in which they live, and how those societies should be governed. Many current challenges to democracy – the rise and spread of xenophobic populism, waning political participation, democratic responses to climate change – are dependent on how citizens and political leaders conceive of the challenges in question. Yet this kind of socially and culturally constructed and mediated meaning has not been the focus of dominant approaches in political science.
This course introduces cultural perspectives on politics, including theoretical and empirical work in and around political science, cultural sociology and cultural studies, as well as literary fiction and non-fiction with political life in focus. In the course students will get to know and compare different theoretical and methodological approaches, and use these to identify and analyze political phenomena from a cultural perspective.
Växjö – the student city with a vibrant campus
Just south of Växjö city centre lies Campus Växjö. Many students choose to live on campus.
Here you have friends, restaurants, lecture halls, gyms, a supermarket, the university library, outdoor recreation areas, and student pubs – all within a five-minute walk. You can also live in other parts of Växjö and easily reach the university by bike or bus.
With nearly 100 000 inhabitants, Växjö is one of Sweden’s fastest-growing cities. It has a strong Småland entrepreneurial spirit and a diverse business sector – perfect when you’re looking for a placement, an internship, or a job.
Växjö is also a scenic city, where you’re always close to forests and lakes, and it offers plenty of events and experiences, ranging from music and food to sports.
Build your own degree
Did you know that you can combine single-subject courses to build your own degree? In this way, you can design your own degree based on your interests and the career you are aiming for. This does not apply to all courses so make sure to check with a study counsellor at the faculty. Learn more about how you can build your own degree and become unique on the labour market.