Contemporary Perspectives in Border Regions / Contemporary Perspectives in Border Regions

Academic Study Board of Political Science, Journalism, Sociology and European Studies, Sønderborg
Teaching activity id: 9401501.
Teaching language: English.ECTS / weighting: 5 ECTS / 0.083 full-time equivalent.
Examination language: English.
Exam activity id: 9401502.Approved: 23-03-17.
Period: Autumn 2017.
Grading: Internal grading.
Assessment: 7-point scale.
Offered in: Sønderborg.
Subject director:
Associate Professor Katarzyna Stoklosa, Department of Political Science and Public Management.

Prerequisites:
Students who follow this course are expected to have a basic knowledge in European history and politics. They should be able to apply social scientific methods.

Purpose:
The objective of this course is to provide the students with an overview of contemporary perspectives in border region studies. This elective course is organised as a workshop centered on topics and concepts related to actual problems and debates in border regions.

Content - Key areas:
The course will cover the most significant aspects of border studies, paying particular attention to border conflicts, border security, migration, the importance of history in boundary formation and cross-border cooperation.

Goals description (SOLO taxonomy):
In order to attain the course objective, students are expected to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the course's topics, so that they are able to identify and account for the history, development and structure of European regions
  • Describe and analyse border regional issues along the lines of the most important theories and scientific discourses.

Literature:
During the course relevant articles will be introduced to cover different aspects and approaches in border region studies. Selection of literature depend on topic.

Time of classes:
Autumn.
Form of instruction:
2 hours per week in 15 weeks.

The students are expected to participate actively in class.They are required to write a paper on a theme chosen in collaboration with the lecturer. The writing of the paper will be supervised by the lecturer. The paper must be presented and defended in the course. Language of instruction and discussion is English.

Lectures, class discussions, student presentations, group projects.
In order to enable the students to achieve the learning outcomes of the course, the teaching will be organized in such a way that:
  • Theories, methods and concepts are explained.
  • Theories, methods and concepts are identitfied and used when working with regional case studies.
  • Dialog and discussions are facilitated.

Time of examination:
The particular form of examination, cf below, is based on the discussion sessions taking place according to an agreed schedule towards the end of the semester. The grade obtained is a part of the ordinary exam activities in January, and a reexamination possibility is offered in February.
For the re-examination a new problem proposal or seminar topic has to be accepted by the supervisor.

Registration for the course is automatically a registration for the ordinary examination of the course. Cancellation is not possible. If the student does not participate in the examination, the student will use an examination attempt.
The university may grant an exemption from the rules in case of exceptional circumstances.

Please note that the type and form of the re-examination may differ from that of the ordinary examination.

Examination conditions:
None.
Form of examination for the certificate:
Written paper and oral presentation.
Supplemental information for the form of examination:
The students are to prepare a paper individually. The lecturer responsible for the course is to make agreements with the author on a more specific paper title, organize counseling sessions, and announce guidelines for implementing the course, including setting time schedules for handing in papers and fixing discussion session dates. Discussion of and oral presentation based on written paper, 9401502 (10-15 pages). The written paper: Electronic hand-in via SDU-Assignment in Blackboard.


Comments:
If a very limited number of students have selected the course, the study board may decide to cancel it.


The number of students enrolled may be restricted by the Study Board.  If the enrolment limit is exceeded preference is granted to full degree students following a compulsory course on a SDU programme. Within the limit, full degree students having selected the course as an elective, guest and exchange students are offered enrolment on a first come first served basis.
Exchange students, if any: Internal grading. Assessment as for ordinary students.

Programmes:
BSc in European Studies, Culture and Politics Track
5th semester, elective subject. Offered in: Sønderborg
BSc in European Studies, Business Track
5th semester, elective subject. Offered in: Sønderborg
BSc in Economics and Business Administration - International Economics and Business Relationships
5th semester, Not chosen, elective subject. Offered in: Sønderborg