PL50437: Societal modernisation and the transformation of democracy
 Academic Year: | 2019/0 |
| Owning Department/School: | Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies |
| Credits: | 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] |
| Notional Study Hours: | 120 |
| Level: | Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7) |
| Period: |
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| Assessment Summary:
| ES 100% |
| Assessment Detail: |
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| Supplementary Assessment: |
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| Requisites: | |
| Description:
| Aims: The unit aims to: * distinguish different conceptualisations of democratic change and modernisation in European societies; * identify major reasons for, and implications of, the imperative of accelerated modernisation; * explore, in particular, the implications of modernisation processes for contemporary politics and democracy; * examine with regard to political modernisation the ambivalence between processes of depoliticisation and democratic renewal; * assess controversial debates about possible options and pathways of modernisation. Learning Outcomes: Students who have successfully completed this unit will be able: * to understand major reasons for and dimensions of the ongoing modernisation process in European societies; * to use major concepts and theoretical models to describe and discuss ongoing processes of democratic transformation; * to distinguish and critically assess different concepts and strategies of modernisation; * to understand and critically evaluate suggestions and debates on political modernisation and, in particular, the ongoing transformation of democracy. Skills: The key skills the unit will hone and further develop are: * Advanced research skills in identifying, locating and exploiting a wide range of descriptive, evaluative and theoretical literature. * Intellectual skills of conceptual, original and independent thinking, critical analysis, synthesis and reasoned argument. * Skills of assessment and judgement in relation to the soundness of competing arguments and scenarios, including the reporting and assessing of qualitative and quantitative data. * Generic and transferable skills related to the oral and written presentation of ideas. * Skills of self-direction, self-evaluation and time management. Content: Lectures and Seminars will cover the following main topics: * Different Perspectives on the political transformation of European Societies; * Key Parameters in the Modernisation Process; * Internationalisation of Politics and Multi-level Governance; * Efficiency, Effectiveness and Legitimacy; * Participatory Struggles and Democratic Renewal; * Depoliticisation, Delegation and Post-democratic Politics. |
| Programme availability: |
PL50437 is Optional on the following programmes:Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
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Notes:
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