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PL10712: Introduction to comparative politics

[Page last updated: 16 October 2020]

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2020/1
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: CW 50%, EX 50%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Assessment detail data for this unit is currently being updated as a change has been approved. Updated assessment information will be published here shortly.
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
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-AYB43 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio French) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB44 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio German) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB47 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio Italian) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB48 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio Mandarin) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB46 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio Russian) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB45 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio Spanish) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB43 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (French) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB44 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (German) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB45 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (Spanish) 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)

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:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2020/21 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2021/22 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2020/21.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.