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PL10712: Introduction to comparative politics

[Page last updated: 05 August 2021]

Academic Year: 2021/2
Owning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: CW 50%, EX 50%
Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CW 25%)
  • Coursework (CW 25%)
  • Examination (EX 50%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
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.

Programme 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 2021/22 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2022/23 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2021/22.
  • 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.