The subfield
Political theory is the branch of political science that addresses foundational problems in the study of politics. The subfield includes conceptual and historical analysis of topics such as power, legitimacy, and democracy, as well as issues in philosophy of science relating to the aims and rules of social-scientific explanation. In addition, the subfield covers what is called normative political science — that is, the study of how political institutions ought to be designed to satisfy requirements of justice and democracy. Hence, the subfield covers normative political theory, history of political ideas, philosophy of science as well as ethics.
Teaching
The group’s members teach across all political science discipline programmes in the department — at bachelor’s, master’s and PhD levels. They also contribute to the bachelor’s programme in Philosophy, politics and economics (FPØ) and to the Honours Bachelor’s Program in Social Sciences. The political science programmes allow students to pursue specialization in the group’s subject areas. The members of the group are particularly relevant as supervisors for master's theses and PhD theses with topics concerning political theory, conceptual analysis, and the history of political thought.
Research
Political theory covers several research areas within political science and has close ties to philosophy and the history of ideas. The members' research activities are primarily carried out in the department’s project teams and research groups, as well as in affiliated research centres.
Research groups
Samarbeid
Researchers from other relevant research institutions in the Oslo area, such as ARENA – Centre for European Studies, the Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas (UiO), and the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights, occasionally contribute to the teaching – and especially in the supervision master's thesis – in political theory. Some of these institutions also offer scholarships and writing stays.
