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PL10712: Introduction to comparative politics

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2017/8
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Further information on credits Credits: 6      [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 120
Further information on unit levels Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Semester 1
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: ES 50%, EX 50%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Essay (ES 50%)
  • Examination (EX 50%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
The unit aims to provide
* an introduction to comparative democratic politics in a European and global context;
* insight into the comparative analysis of political life through close study of a field rich in comparative examples;
* a solid basic knowledge of a major area of political science.

Learning Outcomes:
Students who have successfully completed this unit will be able to demonstrate:
* knowledge of the recent history of politics and society, government, and policy-making in Western democracies;
* understanding of relevant theoretical models and empirical examples (both European and international);
* understanding of contemporary problems of political parties, party systems and governments in Western democracies.

Skills:
Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are taught and assessed in this unit. Skills in effective learning are developed in this unit.

Content:
Lectures and seminars will cover methods and principles of comparative political analysis; structures of government (constitutions, legislatures, executives, bureaucracies); structures of representation (electoral systems, interest groups, political parties); problems in modern Western democracy.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PL10712 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AYB13 : BA(Hons) French and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB12 : BA(Hons) German and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB16 : BA(Hons) Italian ab initio and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AFB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AAB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AKB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations with Year long work placement (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AAB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics with Year long work placement (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB15 : BA(Hons) Russian ab initio and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB17 : BA(Hons) Spanish and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 1)

PL10712 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB14 : BSc(Hons) Applied Social Studies (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AFB16 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AKB16 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy with Year long work placement (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AFB05 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AKB05 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences with Year long work placement (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AFB04 : BSc(Hons) Sociology (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AKB04 : BSc(Hons) Sociology with Year long work placement (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy with Year long work placement (Year 1)

Notes: