Politics I

 

Course code:                  POS 101/2             

Term and year:               Spring 2025

Day and time:                 Tuesday 1115-1400 

Instructor:                     PhDr. Ing. Radka Havlová, Ph.D.  

Instructor contact:         radka.havlova@aauni.edu

Consultation hours:        Tuesday 1400-1500 upon prior agreement with the instructor

 

Credits US/ECTS	3/6	Level	Introductory
Length	15 weeks	Pre-requisite	None
Contact hours	42 hours	Course type	Bachelor

 

1.    Course Description

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the main concepts in the study of politics, with a special emphasis on the comparative method. Attention will be paid to the concept of democracy and its differences from the notion of authoritarian regimes. We will be discussing the possibilities and limits of the transferability of democracy to non-European states on the example of the Arab Spring. We will examine the division of power in parliamentary, semi-presidential and presidential systems as well as the phenomena of elections and electoral processes. We will also consider problems such as the relation between democracy and development, the role of the media, populism (as an internal threat to democracy), as well as external threats to it related to divergent religious and cultural outlooks around the world

Throughout the semester, we will be closely observing the development of elections, protests and appointments of key figures on the international political stage.

 

2.    Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

·           Understand the basic concepts, structures and theories used in comparative politics

·           Be familiar with the ways governments operate, are elected and formed in democratic and autocratic systems

·           Be familiar with the role of media and political movements and interest groups in the realm of politics, campaigns and policy formation

·           Critically relate the theoretical concepts to various data sets and case studies

·           Present their views in a coherent manner in an oral presentation or a written essay.   

 

 

3.    Reading Material

Required Materials

·           Hague R., Harrop M. and McCormick, J. (2010), Comparative Government and Politics: An Introduction. Eighth Edition. Palgrave Macmillan. Multiple copies available in the AAU library, call number 320.3 HAG.

·           Huntington, Samuel (1993) “The Clash of Civilizations” Foreign Affairs 72 (3): 22-49. Available via NEO.

·           Olson, Mancur (1993) "Democracy, Dictatorship and Development", American Political Science Review 87(3): 567-576.  Available via NEO. 

 

Recommended Materials

·           Aarts, K. and H.A. Semetko (2003). The Divided Electorate: Media Use and Political Involvement, The Journal of Politics, Vol. 65, No.3, pp.759-784

·           Akirav, O. (2024). Populism and legislative backsliding. Frontiers in Political Science, pp. 1-16

·           Albright, M. (2018) Fascism: A Warning. First Edition. Harper Collins

·           Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community (2024), pp. 1-41

·           Arendt, H.. The Origins of Totalitarianism. Available at AAU Library  

·           Arendt, H. (1953). Ideology and Terror: A Novel Form of Government. The Review of Politics 15 (3): 303-327.

·           Aristotle, Politics. Book I and Book III. Available at AAU Library 

·           Bauer, M. and S. Becker (2020). Democratic Backsliding, Populism and Public Administration. Perspectives on Public Management and Governance, pp. 19-31

·           Blais, A. (1991). The Debate over Electoral Systems. International Political Science Review, Vol. 12, No. 3, pp. 239-260

·           Boryczka, J. and S. Surak (2020) Introduction: Beyond Citizenship and the Nation-State, New Political Science, 42:4, 477-481

·           Diskin, A. H. Diskin and R. Hazan (2005). Why Democracies Collapse: The Reasons for Democratic Failure and Success. International Political Science Review, Vol. 26, No. 3, pp. 291-309

·           Dobbins, J. (2007). Democratization, book chapter in Dobbins, Jones, Crane and DeGrasse. The Beginner´s Guide to Nation-Building, RAND Corporation, pp. 189-211

·           Donno, D. (2013). Elections and Democratization in Authoritarian Regimes. American Journal of Political Science, Vol. 57, No. 3, pp. 703-716

·           Doorenspleet, R. (2000).Reassessig the Three Wawes of Democratization. World Politics, Vol. 52. No. 3, pp. 384-406

·           Dow, J. (2011).  Party-System Extremism in Majoritarian and Proportional Electoral Systems. Vol. 41, No. 2, pp. 341-361

·           Ecological Threat Report 2024 (2024), pp. 1-72

·           Ellis, S. and G. Ter Haar (2007). Religion and Politics: Taking African Epistemologies Seriously. The Journal of Modern African Studies, Vol. 45, No. 3, pp. 385-401

·           European Parliament (2024). Mapping threats to peace and democracy worldwide. Normandy Index 2024, pp. 1-102

·           Flynn-Piercy (2011).  Huntington´s Clash of Civilizations. E-International Relations

·           Fukuyama, F. (1989). The End of History?, The National Interest, No. 19, pp. 3-18

·           Gellner, E. (1981). Nationalism. Theory and Society, Vol. 10, No. 6 (Nov., 1981), pp. 753-776

·           Gerlich, M. (2021). How Elite Configurations Explain Shifts from Democracy to Authoritarian or Totalitarian Regimes: Turkey as a Case Study, Open Journal of Political Science, 11, pp. 273-300

·           Global Catastropic Risk 2024 (2024), pp. 1-49

·           Global state of democracy (2024). Global State of Democracy Initiative

·           Global Threat Report 2024 (2024), pp. 1-61

·           Gorbach, J. (2018) Not Your Grandpa's Hoax: A Comparative History of Fake News, American Journalism, 35:2, 236-249

·           Gorbach, J. (2018). Not Your Grandpa´s Hoax: A Comparative History of Fake News. American Journalism, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp .236-249

·           Grotenhuis, R. (2016). Nation-Building as Necessary Effort in Fragile States, Amsterdam University Press

·           Gunitsky, S. (2014). From Shocks to Waves. Hegemonic Transitions and Democratization in the Twentieth Century. International Organization, Vol. 68, No. 3, pp. 561-597

·           Hague R., Harrop M. and McCormick, J. (2010), Comparative Government and Politics: An Introduction. Eighth Edition. Palgrave Macmillan. Multiple copies available in the AAU library, call number 320.3 HAG.

·           Hannah Arendt. The Origins of Totalitarianism. Available at AAU Library  

·           Helled, A. and C. Pala (2023). When Nations Adapt: National Resilience between State(s) and Identity(ies). Political Studies Review, Vol. 22, pp. 93-107

·           Heywood, A. (2019) Politics. Fifth Edition. Palgrave MacMillan.

·           Hofstede, G. (2010). Cultures and Organizations. Software of the Mind, McGraw Hill Professionals

·           Huntington, S. (1984). Will More Countries Become Democratic?, Political Science Quarterly, Vol. 99, No. 2, pp. 193-218

·           Huntington, S. (1991). How Countries Democratize. Political Science Quarterly, Vol. 106, No. 4, pp. 579-616

·           Huntington, S. (1996). The West Unique, Not Universal. Foreign Affairs, Vol. 75, No. 6, pp. 28-46

·           Kaltwasser, C. and P. Taggart (2025). Populism and democracy: The road ahead. Cambridge University Press, pp. 96-100

·           Karp, J. and S. Banducci (2008). Political Efficacy and Participation in Twenty-Seven Democracies: How Electoral Systems Shape Political Behaviour, British Journal of Political Science, Vol.. 38, No. 2, pp. 311-334

·           Kettell, S. (2024). Is Political Science (Still) Ignoring Religion? An Analysis of Journal Publications, 2011-2020

·           Leftwich, A. (1993). Governance, Democracy and Development in the Third World, Third World Quarterly, Vol. 14, No. 3, pp. 605-624

·           Linz, J. J., & Stepan, A. C. (1996). Problems of democratic transition and consolidation: Southern Europe, South America, and post-communist Europe. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.

·           Locke, J. . Second Treatise of Government. Available at AAU Library  

·           Marx, K. and F. Engels. The Communist Manifesto.. Available at AAU Library  

·           Mill, J. S. On Liberty. Available at AAU Library  

·           Miller, L. (2012). Democratization and Democratic Promotion: Trends, Theories and Practices. Book chapter in “Democratization in the Arab World: Prospects and Lessons from Around the Globe”, RAND Corporation, pp. 9-33

·           Moe, T. and M. Caldwell. The Institutional Foundations of Democratic Government: A Comparison of Presidential and Parliamentary Systems. Journal of Institutional and Theoretical Economics, Vol. 150, No.1, pp. 171-195

·           Mudde, C. (2004) The Populist Zeitgeist. Government and Opposition 39 (4): 541-563

·           Niccolò Machiavelli. The Prince. Available at AAU Library 

·           Norris, P. (1997). Choosing Electoral Systems: Proportional, Majoritarian and Mixed Systems. International Political Science Review, Vol. 18. No. 3, pp. 297-312

·           Osaghae, E (2007). Fragile States, Development in Practice, Vo. 17, No. 4/5, pp. 691-699

·           Osborn, A. (2005). The “Clast of Civilizations” Thesis as a Tool for Explaining Conflicts in the Contemporary World. Defence Studies, Vol. 5, No. 3, pp.. 394-400

·           Plato. The Republic. Book I and Book VIII. Available at AAU Library 

·           Pollak, R. and D. Schuster (2023). Religion, Values and Politics: The Effect of Religiosity on Attitudes Towards Immigrants and Muslims. Book chapter in Pollak, Rohs (eds.). Values – Politics – Religion: The European Values Study.

·           Posocco, L. and I. Watson (2023). Re-imagining the nation-state: An impetus from the pandemic, Frontiers in Sociology

·           Puig, G. (2002). Parliamentary versus Presidential Government, AQ. Australian Quarterly, Vol. 74, No. 5, pp. 9-11

·           Ramay, S. (2024). The Populist Democratic Backsliding Model. The Global Policy Horizons Lab, pp. 1-11

·           Rau, E. and S. Stokes (2024). Income inequality and the erosion of democracy in the twenty-first century. PNAS Vol. 122, No. 1, pp. 1-7

·           Rejai, M. and C. Enloe (1969). Nation-States and State-Nations. International Studies Quarterly, Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 140-158

·           Riggs, F. (1997). Presidentialism versus Parliamentarism: Implications for Representativeness and Legitimacy, International Politics Science Review, Vol. 18, No. 3, pp. 253-278

·           Rousseau, J. J. The Social Contract. Available at AAU Library  

·           Sabine, G. (1920´.  The Concept of the State as Power. The Philosophical Review, Vol. 29, No. 4, pp. 301-318

·           Schmitter, C. and T. Karl (1991). What Democracy Is .. and Is Not. Journal od Democracy, Vol. 2, No.2, pp. 75-88

·           Schmitter, P. and Karl T. (1991) “What Democracy is…and is Not.” Journal of Democracy 2 (3): 75-88. 2/13

·           Seif-Amirhosseini, Z. (2013). A Critical Reassessment of Huntington´s „Clash of Civilizations“ Thesis. The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, Vol. 30, No. 3, pp. 42-76

·           Shahi, D. (2017).The Clash of Civilizations Thesis: A Critical Appraisal. E-International Relations

·           Shitahata, I. (1997). Democracy and Development, The International and Comparative Law Quarterly, Vol. 46, No. 3

·           Smith. L. (2020). Is There a Difference Between “Religion” and “Politics”?, Method and Theory in Study of Religion, Vol. 32, No. 4/5, pp. 442-454

·           Thomas Hobbes. Leviathan. Chapters 13 to 18. Available at AAU Library  

·           Tucker, J. etc. (2018). Social Media, Political Polarization and Political Disinformation: A Review of the Scientific Literature. Helwett Foundation, pp. 1-95

·           Von Sikorski (2021). Visual Mis- and Disinformation, Social Media and Democracy. Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, Vol. 98, No. 3, pp. 641-664

·           Weber, M.  (2019). Politics as a Vocation. Available in NEO

·           Weiss, L. (2000). Globalization and State Power. Development and Society, Vol. 29, No.1, pp. 1-15

·           Wolf, M. (2001). Will the Nation-State Survive Globalization?, Foreign Affairs, Vol. 80, No. 1, pp. 178-190

·           World Economic Forum (2024). The Global Risks Report 2024, pp. 1-124

·           Zendelovski, G. (2018). Contemporary Security Risks and Threats during Global Crises, pp. 281-292

 

 

 

4.    Teaching methodology

The course will be taught as a combination of lectures and seminars, presenting the main theoretical concepts and illustrating them with case studies. The seminar part of the lesson will feature either a class discussion, where the students, divided into four groups of 5-6 students, debate a given topic and present their opinion, or a student presentation. Students will get a chance to choose a topic reflecting their interests at the beginning of the semester. Students will be encouraged to interact and ask questions during both parts of the class. There will be a final exam at the end of the semester.

 

 

5.    Course Schedule

Date	Class Agenda
Session 1 2.9.2025	Topic: Course introduction. The problem of politics. Key concepts of political analysis – ‘power’, ‘authority’, ‘government’, ‘state’ and ‘democracy’ Description: How does power differ from authority? What is the difference between a governing body and a state? What is democracy, and is it truly the best possible form of government? Reading: Hague – Harrop – McCormick p. 1-23 Assignment/deadlines: Assignment of presentation topics
Session 2 9.9.2025	Topic: The State and the nation Description: Key topics that we will be discussing involve the distinction between political community and political organization such as the modern state, as well as the key prerogatives the state claims to possess vis-à-vis its citizens and other states. But there is a further core distinction between nations and states. What happens when there is a mismatch between the nation and the state? Reading: Hague – Harrop – McCormick, p. 61-82 Assignments/deadlines: Structure your topics and find literature for your presentations, possibility to consult presentation proposals
16.9.2025	No class
Session 3 19.9.2025 Replacement session	Topics: Failed states, weak states, and state power Description: What are the sources of power inside the state as political organization? Why do states strive so hard to get power? What is a “failed state” and to what extent does it depend on the recognition by, and interaction with, other states?  Reading: Hague – Harrop – McCormick p. 52-70 Assignments/deadlines: Presentation proposals due via NEO
Session 4 23.9.2025	Topic: Government and the division of power. Parliamentary, semi-parliamentary and presidential systems Description: How is power distributed in political systems? How do the parliamentary, semi-parliamentary and presidential systems differ? Discussion of various systems of division of power in students home countries. Reading: Hague – Harrop – McCormick, p. 249-344 Assignments/deadlines: Presentation 1
Session 5 30.9.2025	Topic: Elections and electoral process, political parties Description: What are the main types of electoral systems in modern democracies and how do they work? What are their main advantages and disadvantages? What is the purpose of political parties? Readings: Hague – Harrop – McCormick, p. 161-226 Assignments/deadlines: Presentation 2

 

 

Session 6 7.10.2025		Topic: Political systems and regimes Description: What is the difference between democracy and authoritarian regimes? What are the basic characteristics of a democratic political system? Reading: Hague – Harrop – McCormick, p. 83-117 Assignments/deadlines: Presentation 3
Session 7 14.10.2025	Topic: The transferability of democracy Description:  Can democracy be transferred to other countries or is it closely associated with the Western system? We will examine the recent efforts, particularly the Arab Spring in the MENA region, to transfer democracy to non-European countries and the results of this process Reading: Hague – Harrop – McCormick, p. 83-98 Assignments/deadlines: Presentation 4
Session 8 21.10.2025	Mid-term exam. Exam via  NEO Description: Mid-term revision, students must demonstrate their understanding of topics covered in the first half of the semester (Sessions 1 through 7) Reading: all readings up to now
28.10.2025	Mid-term break No classes
Session 9 4.11.2025	Topic: Dictatorship, Democracy and Development Description: How does political organization impact on development (in terms of economic growth and taxation)? What is the benefit of having rulers who are “stationary bandits” rather than “roving bandits”? Why, according to Olson, is democratic government better than either of those? Reading: Olson, Mancur (1993) "Democracy, Dictatorship and Development", American Political Science Review 87(3): 567-576. Assignments/deadlines: Presentation 5 & Critical essay due
Session 10 11.11.2025	Topic: Media and Politics Description: In this seminar we will be discussing the role of the media in contemporary politics. Does the media constitute a “fourth branch of government”? How does it contribute, and potentially impair, the democratic process? Does access to the media by private persons such as Silvio Berlusconi in Italy and Donald Trump in the US give them disproportionate political power in the public sphere? We will also examine the role of global media in the contemporary world. Readings: Hague – Harrop – McCormick, p. 139-159; Gorbach, J. (2018) “Not Your Grandpa's Hoax: A Comparative History of Fake News” Assignments/deadlines: Presentation 6
Session 11 18.11.2025	Topic: Culture as sources of societal and political conflict Description: What is the role of culture in contemporary politics? How do cultures differ in their basic values? We will discuss the famous Huntington´s “clash of civilizations” theory and Hofstede´s cultural comparison. Reading: Hofstede, pp. 1-47; Huntington, Samuel (1993) “The Clash of Civilizations” Foreign Affairs 72 (3): 22-49 Assignments/deadlines: Presentation 7
Session 12 25.11.2025	Topic: Religion as a source of societal and political conflict Description: What is the role of religion in politics and society? We will discuss how religion is a factor in various conflicts around the world. Reading: Smith, p. 442-454 Assignments/deadlines: Presentation 8

 

 

Session 13 2.12.2025

Topic: Threats to Democracy from “the inside”. Populism. Description: In this class we will analyze what causes democratic backsliding (i.e., decline in the quality of democracy). What are the current challenges to democracy in the western liberal democracies (populism, nationalism, polarisation)? What are common challenges in new democracies? Can any country be “democratic for good”? We will also focus on external challenges to democracy - the increase in the number of authoritarian states in the world. Poland and Hungary today will be used as case studies, and will analyze their historical experiences with both nationalism and authoritarianism and compare it to their current political climate. We will discuss the question of “what is the biggest threat to democracy today?”. Readings: Mudde, C. (2004) The Populist Zeitgeist. Government and Opposition 39 (4): 541-563 Assignments/deadlines: Presentation 9 & Seminar papers due

Session 14 9.12.2025

Topic: Concluding discussion – major threats in the current world Description: In the final session, we will review the course via the prism of current global security threats. We will have a comprehensive discussion on the topic “what are the biggest global security threats at the moment?” Are they political (democratic vs. authoritarian regimes, polarisation, populism, democratic backsliding)? Are they economic (rising income inequality)? Cyber (cyber warfare, disappearing protection of privacy)? Ecological (changing climate)? Health (pandemics?). We will compare them in order of danger and impact and then compare the current situation to historical figures to gain perspective and maintain some level of optimism where possible? Reading: Global Risk Report 2024 Assignments/deadlines: Presentation 10

 

6.    Course Requirements and Assessment (with estimated workloads)

Assignment	Workload (hours)	Weight in Final Grade	Evaluated Course Specific Learning Outcomes	Evaluated Institutional Learning Outcomes*
Active class participation	42	10%	·      Regular and active participation ·      Ability to analyze and to effectively discuss the possibilities of further development of int. organizations.	Critical thinking Effective communication
Research proposal	10	5%	·      Ability to analyze the activities and legal acts of selected int. organizations in different fields including security, trade, development, environment, and human rights	Critical thinking
Critical essay	20	10%	·      Subject knowledge on the topics related to politics	Critical thinking
Mid-term exam	20	20%	·      Subject knowledge on history, theory, purpose and activities of major int. organizations	Critical thinking
Presentation of research project	20	20%	·       Ability to analyze the activities and legal acts of selected int. organizations in different fields including security, trade, development, environment, and human rights ·       Think critically and to provide possible solutions for presented problems; ·       Evaluate the effectiveness of given int. organizations and to assess their impact ·       Present the results of analysis in class	Critical thinking Effective communication
Seminar paper	28	25%	·       Subject knowledge on the history, theory, purpose and activities of major global and regional int. organizations	Critical thinking
Reflection- reading	10	10%	·      Critical reflection of two different texts or podcasts related to lecture topics	Critical thinking
TOTAL	150	100%

*1 = Critical Thinking; 2 = Effective Communication; 3 = Effective and Responsible Action

 

 

7.    Detailed description of the assignments

 

Class participation

 

Active participation and contribution to class discussion. Students should actively participate in class discussion. Discussions are an important mechanism for developing critical thinking and presentation skills.

 

Assessed area	Percentage
Knowledge and comprehension of the weekly reading assignments	50%
Critical thinking about the issues explored in the readings	50%

 

 

Research proposal

Students must submit a research proposal of presentation and seminar paper by Week 3, i.e. by 16 September 2025 via NEO. The proposal must include the topic, research question, structure and at least 5 reliable resources which the students plan to use in their presentation and seminar paper.

 

Assessment breakdown

Assessed area	Percentage
Timely submission of presentation through NEO	50%
Contents of presentation and seminar paper proposal: research question, structure, at least 5 reliable resources	50%

 

 

Critical essay

Short analytical essay on selected UN or security topic. Students will critically respond to a conceptual or real-world challenge introduced in the first three weeks. The goal is to assess students´ ability to apply theory, construct arguments and use relevant examples or cases. Emphasis on argumentation, use of course concepts, clear structure and use of reliable sources. Students choose one of four critical questions based on the materials covered in weeks 1 to 5. Length 800 words, submitted through NEO by Week 9, i.e. by 4 November 2025.

 

Assessment breakdown

Assessed area	Percentage
Clear thesis and coherent structure	20
Depth of critical argumentation	30
Use of course concepts and terminology	20
Quality and relevance of examples	20
Language, grammar, referencing	10

 

 

Mid-term exam

The exam will cover the topics from the first half of the semester. Students will have to demonstrate that they have a good understanding of the most relevant issues and concepts and that they are able to provide swift and correct answers. The mid-term will be a free-form essay of about 800 words and will take place online via NEO. Students will choose one of three comprehensive questions covering the topics discussed in the first half of the semester. The mid-term will take place during Week 8, i.e. on 21 October 2025 from 1130 till 1400 at AAU, however, students will take the mid-term exam in NEO (online) while sitting in the classroom.   

 

Assessment breakdown

Assessed area	Percentage
Ability to correctly evaluate the main purpose of each question	50%
Ability to reflect broader context of each question	25%
Ability to provide correct answers under the time limit	25%

 

 

Presentation of research project

Students need to select and to sign up for a research project and present the selected topic in class according to the presentation schedule. Presentations will be prepared individually by each student and must be submitted at least three days prior to the presentation day via NEO – Assignments. Presentations can be submitted in PPT or any other suitable presentation program format. The presentation shall be 20 to 25 minutes long and students must always prepare questions for class discussion. List of presentations will be published in NEO in week 2 after students sign in for their presentations. All presentations must be submitted for review via NEO at least two days prior to the presentation date. List of presentations will be published in NEO in week 1 after students sign in for their presentations.

 

Assessment breakdown

Assessed area	Percentage
Timely submission of presentation through NEO	5%
Visual format of presentation	20%
Contents of presentation: correct, recent information, to analyze main problems and suggest creative solutions; ability to apply and to demonstrate acquired knowledge from the course; ability to link the topic of the presentation to the overall topic of the class; ability to apply a concrete theory to a presented problem; ability to formulate credible claims and evidence	50%
Contact with students, engagement of students in discussions: continuous contact with students while presenting, clear speech, good intonation and eye contact, positive body language, ability to stress most significant aspects of analyzed topic while presenting, ability to answer questions from audience, ability to engage fellow students in discussions	20%
Compliance with time limits: presentation length between 30 and 40 minutes, space for discussion with fellow students	5%

 

 

Seminar Paper

Students prepare a seminar paper on the topic of their presentation to understand the analyzed topic in more depth. Seminar papers should be 2000 words long  (length without sources, title page, TOC and references to sources; 2000 words should be just the analysis itself) and should fulfill all the criteria of an academic paper (formal arrangement of the paper, reference to academic resources, research question, and analysis of the research question etc.). The seminar paper must be submitted via NEO by Week 13, i.e. by 2 December 2025. Later submissions will be taken into consideration but one point will be taken off from the assessment for each day of delayed submission.

 

Assessment breakdown

Assessed area	Percentage
Formal arrangement of seminar paper	10%
Reference to resources	20%
Language, stylistics	10%
Research question, analysis of research topic	60%

 

 

 

Reflection: reading

Students choose any reading or podcast related to the topic of the lecture. Student may submit maximum 2 reflections, each for maximum 5 points. Detailed list of reading is available in NEO. Students may also review other book, article or podcast related to politics which however must be approved by the instructor. Each reflection should be up to 200 words and should provide a critical assessment of the reading or podcast. Reflections should include a brief summary of the reading/podcast (2–3 sentences), one or two key insights you found meaningful or surprising, a short connection to the week’s lecture topic and optionally also a critique, disagreement, or unanswered question. Reflections may be submitted any time between Week 2 and Week 14, however, reflections must be submitted by Week 14, i.e. by 8 December 2025.

 

Assessment breakdown

Assessed area	Percentage
Personal insight and critical reflection	40%
Connection to course topic	30%
Coherence and clarity	20%
Style and language	10%

 

 

 

 

8.General Requirements and School Policies

 

General requirements

All coursework is governed by AAU’s academic rules. Students are expected to be familiar with the academic rules in the Academic Codex and Student Handbook and to maintain the highest standards of honesty and academic integrity in their work. Please see the AAU intranet for a summary of key policies regarding coursework.

Course specific requirements

There are no special requirements or deviations from AAU policies for this course.

 

Use of Artificial Intelligence and Academic Tutoring Center

The use of artificial intelligence tools to search sources, to process, analyze and summarize data, and to provide suggestions or feedback in order to improve content, structure, or style, defined here as AI-assisted writing, is not in itself plagiarism. However, it is plagiarism if, as a result, it obscures the authorship of the work produced or the degree of its originality (see the examples above). 

AAU acknowledges prudent and honest use of AI-assisted writing, that is, the use of AI for orientation, consultation, and practice is allowed. For some courses and assignments, however, the use of AI is counterproductive to learning outcomes; therefore, the course syllabus may prohibit AI assistance.

A work (text, image, video, sound, code, etc.) generated by artificial intelligence based on a mass of existing data, defined here as AI-generated work, is not considered a work of authorship. Therefore, if an AI-generated work (e.g. text) is part of the author’s work, it must be marked as AI-generated. Otherwise, it obscures the authorship and/or the degree of originality, and thus constitutes plagiarism. Unless explicitly permitted by the instructor, submission of AI-generated work is prohibited.

If unsure about technical aspects of writing, and to improve their academic writing, students are encouraged to consult with the tutors of the AAU Academic Tutoring Center. For more information and/or to book a tutor, please contact the ATC at: http://atc.simplybook.me/sheduler/manage/event/1/.

 

 

9. Grading Scale

Letter Grade	Percentage*	Description
A	95–100	Excellent performance. The student has shown originality and displayed an exceptional grasp of the material and a deep analytical understanding of the subject.
A–	90–94
B+	87–89	Good performance. The student has mastered the material, understands the subject well and has shown some originality of thought and/or considerable effort.
B	83–86
B–	80–82
C+	77–79	Fair performance. The student has acquired an acceptable understanding of the material and essential subject matter of the course, but has not succeeded in translating this understanding into consistently creative or original work.
C	73–76
C–	70–72
D+	65–69	Poor. The student has shown some understanding of the material and subject matter covered during the course. The student’s work, however, has not shown enough effort or understanding to allow for a passing grade in School Required Courses. It does qualify as a passing mark for the General College Courses and Electives.
D	60–64
F	0–59	Fail. The student has not succeeded in mastering the subject matter covered in the course.

* Decimals should be rounded to the nearest whole number.

 

Prepared by: Dr Radka Havlová

Date:12.8.2025

 

Approved by: Dr Silviya Lechner

Date:17.8.2025