Course syllabus The Politics of Health Crises
Swedish name: Hälsokrisers politik
Course code:
2SS091
Valid from semester:
Spring Term 2026
Education cycle:
Second cycle
Scope:
7.5 credits
Progression:
A1N
Grading scale:
Three-grade scale
Main field of study:
Political Science with a focus on Crisis Management and International Co-operation
Department:
Department of Political Science
Subject:
Political Science
Language of instruction:
The teaching is conducted in English.
Decided by:
Forsknings och utbildningsnämndens kursplaneutskott (KUS)
Decision date:
2025-08-20
Entry requirements
180 credits of which 90 credits must have been obained in subjects in the social sciences or the humanities. English proficiency equivalent to English B or English 6 is also required.
Course content and structure
This course explores how health crises can be understood through various political science perspectives, aiming to provide the student with in-depth knowledge within the main field of political science with a focus on crisis management and security. Health crises involve numerous political aspects, such as recognition of vulnerable groups, organizing public and private sectors during crises, and crisis communication strategies.
The course begins with an introductory lecture that frames health crises as a concept within political science. Each week covers a specific theme related to health crises. Themes may include, for example: cooperation and conflict within crisis management systems; recognition of vulnerable groups; crisis and routine communication; bureaucratic failures and learning; institutional memory and change; and sustainability, gender, and power dynamics among actors.
Lectures, mandatory seminars, and independent study.
The course begins with an introductory lecture that frames health crises as a concept within political science. Each week covers a specific theme related to health crises. Themes may include, for example: cooperation and conflict within crisis management systems; recognition of vulnerable groups; crisis and routine communication; bureaucratic failures and learning; institutional memory and change; and sustainability, gender, and power dynamics among actors.
Type of instruction
Lectures, mandatory seminars, and independent study.
Objectives
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
Knowledge and understanding
Competence and skills
Judgement and approach
Knowledge and understanding
- demonstrate in-depth knowledge of how different political science perspectives can be applied to health crises
Competence and skills
- independently analyze issues related to health crises using the concepts and theories presented in the course
Judgement and approach
- reason independently and critically about the strengths and weaknesses of the political management of health crises, taking into account relevant scientific, societal, and ethical aspects.
Examination formats
Assessment is through an on-campus written exam, as well as active participation in mandatory seminars.
The examiner may decide to request supplementary assignments in order to achieve a passing grade on the course. Supplementary assignments must be completed no later than three working days after the notification of any supplementary assignment, unless there are special reasons approved by the examiner.
Ther student is graded on a three-point grading scale: Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with distinction (VG). Grading criteria are provided at the start of the course.
To achieve the grade Pass (G), the student must achieve a pass on the seminars and the on-campus written examination. To achieve the grade Pass with distinction (VG) the student must, in addition to the requirements for a Pass (G), achieve a Pass with distinction on the on-campus written examination.
There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.
The examiner may decide to request supplementary assignments in order to achieve a passing grade on the course. Supplementary assignments must be completed no later than three working days after the notification of any supplementary assignment, unless there are special reasons approved by the examiner.
Grading
Ther student is graded on a three-point grading scale: Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with distinction (VG). Grading criteria are provided at the start of the course.
To achieve the grade Pass (G), the student must achieve a pass on the seminars and the on-campus written examination. To achieve the grade Pass with distinction (VG) the student must, in addition to the requirements for a Pass (G), achieve a Pass with distinction on the on-campus written examination.
Restrictions in Number of Examinations
There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.
Transitional provisions
When the course is no longer offered or when the course content has changed substantially, the student has the right to be examined once per semester during a three-term period in accordance with this syllabus.
Other regulations
- The course cannot be included in a degree with another course whose content fully or partially corresponds to the content of this course.
- If the Swedish Defence University has formally decided that the student is entitled to receive special educational support due to a disability, the examiner may decide on alternative forms of examination for the student.
- The course director will conduct an evaluation on the completion of the course, which will form the basis for any changes to the course.