Department of European Studies & Modern Languages, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
EU20416 Totalitarian politics |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Intermediate |
| Semester: 2 |
| Assessment: CW 20%, EX 80% |
| Requisites: |
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Aims: To further students' knowledge of comparative politics and history by examining 20th century European non-democratic movements and regimes, with particular attention being paid to the relevance of the concept of 'totalitarianism' to communist and fascist regimes.
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit students should be able to demonstrate: * an understanding of the main theories of the rise, nature and failure of non-democratic regimes; * familiarity with debates about whether non-democratic politics, particularly communism and fascism, could revive; * an ability to work in teams to make a seminar presentation; * an ability to synthesize diverse empirical and theoretical material in order to write and essay. Skills: Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, teamwork 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: The concepts of authoritarianism and totalitarianism; the role of ideas and ideology in the genesis of European non-democratic movements and regimes; state and leadership in non-democratic regimes; violence, coercion and support; the collapse of non-democratic regimes. |