Mode of working 
Active attendance and participation in the lectures, engagement with the readings, meetings with visitors of this course, and work on case examples and group assignments. At least 80% lecture attendance required, and in case of absence, please contact mari.holopainen@aalto.fi for an alternative assignment.

Deliverables 
Each assignment deadline is always on Wednesday as instructed here.
November 8: Individual learning diary on democracy
November 22: Group assignment on EU’s strategy
November 29 December 5: Individual learning diary on idea generation
December 13: Final essay 

November 8: Individual learning diary of one page on democracy.
Instructions: The aim of the learning diary is to support your learning process. The learning diary is a reflective writing assignment concerning the topics presented in the contact sessions and readings. The assignment does not have strict formatting or structure requirements. It is a unique record of your thinking and learning during the course. Please, take advantage and refer to some of the course readings. 

The length of one learning diary is approximately one A4 page and should take 1-2 hours of writing. The learning diary is only visible to the teachers.

In the learning diary on democracy, you can think for example:

  • Why does power need legitimation?
  • What defines a well-functioning democracy?
  • What are the major threats to democracy?

November 22: Group assignment on EU

Instructions: The aim of the assignment is to explore the European Commission’s priorities. Select and present in more detail the most significant initiative.

1. Analyze and briefly describe:

Based on the priorities, what are the key initiatives the European Union is advancing now? How? Explore ways in which the priorities can be put into action.

2. Choose one key initiative.

Describe the initiative your group chose, e.g., where it stands now, what its impact is.

3. How is the preparation of the new priorities going on? Is something missing that should be included? How would your group advance it?

Please, form groups of four students. Plan the start of your assignment and when you meet, either online or in person. Send the group assignment in a format you choose by the 22nd of November to the teacher. Present your work to another student group in the class on the 23rd of November.

Assign your group to MyCourses --> assignments. If you are missing a group, join a group at MyCourses or email: mari.holopainen@aalto.fi

December 5: Individual learning diary of one page on idea generation (extended deadline)
Instructions: The aim of the learning diary is to support your learning process. The learning diary is a reflective writing assignment concerning the topics presented in the contact sessions and readings. The assignment does not have strict formatting or structure requirements. It is a unique record of your thinking and learning during the course.

Please, take advantage and refer to some of the course readings. 

The length of one learning diary is approximately one A4 page and should take 1-2 hours of writing. The learning diary is only visible to the teachers.

In the learning diary on idea generation in a policy context, you can think for example:
- What is the role of governmental programs or the EU's priority setting in politics?
- How are ideas generated, and how are political strategies put into action?
- Who can influence the ideation processes?

Submission of the assignment by December 5th in MyCourses or to mari.holopainen@aalto.fi. 

December 13: Final essay on political organizations and decision making
The final essay is a reflective writing assignment that explores selected key themes of this course. Adopt a scientific referencing style, justifying your claims and viewpoints based on readings. 

Topic: Based on the course readings, identify and discuss your top three key learnings about political organizations and decision-making.

Choose your title based on those key learnings you found the most relevant and interesting. The essay's topic should be coherent, the learnings aligning with the given title.

Guidelines:
- Title yourself your essay.
- Reference and utilize course readings of your choice.
- Feel free to use texts from your learning diaries in the final essay.

Length: Three A4 pages or more.

Submit the assignment by December 13th to mari.holopainen@aalto.fi or through MyCourses.

Tips on Improving Research-based Writing and Reflection:
In an analytical text, employ techniques such as summarization, reflection, description, narration, or argumentation. Engage in a discussion with key sources to demonstrate your own thinking. Compare sources through your perspective, analyzing where they align and differ concerning your essay's topic.

Utilize Sources
- Ensure correct references and bibliography.
- Apply multiple sources 
- Optionally, incorporate broader source literature than the assigned course readings.

Analyze and Synthesize
- Connect theory with examples or different perspectives through personal reasoning.
- Offer reflective comparisons between theoretical and personal perspectives, highlighting differences and similarities.

Reflect and Create
- Reflect on opposing viewpoints.
- Critically evaluate information.
- Combine elements in a novel way.
- Present an argumentative and well-justified text.
- Introduce new perspectives.

Grading of the course: pass/fail


Last modified: Monday, 27 November 2023, 5:48 PM