D5. Improving the Quality of Teaching in Political Science: Intended and Unintended Consequences of the Bologna Process

Chair: Minna Jokela (University of Turku)

The Bologna Process is arguably one of the most significant developments in European higher education during recent years, aiming at creating a European Higher Education Area. Key attributes of the new higher education area are: ‘more compatible and comparable’, ‘more competitive’ and ‘more attractive’.  The Bologna Process aims at improving the comparability of the degrees and enhancing the smoothness of the recognition procedures. It also introduces the ‘quality assurance’ of teaching. But, does all of this improve the quality of university teaching? This panel aims at examining the intended and unintended consequences of the Bologna Process to the quality of teaching in political science. It welcomes papers that draw upon quality improvements and/or impediments.