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Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


PL50437: Societal modernisation and the transformation of democracy

Click here for further information Credits: 6
Click here for further information Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Click here for further information Period: Semester 1
Click here for further information Assessment: CW 33%, ES 67%
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites:
Click here for further information 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.
Click here for further informationProgramme availability:

PL50437 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • THPL-AFM11 : MA Contemporary European Politics (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFM16 : MA Contemporary European Studies: Politics Policy and Society (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFM17 : MA Contemporary European Studies (with transatlantic track) (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFL11 : PG Dip Contemporary European Politics (Full-time)

NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.