|
 Academic Year:
| 2013/4 |
| Owning Department/School:
| Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies |
| Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Honours (FHEQ level 6) |
| Period: |
Semester 2 |
| Assessment:
| CW 33%, EX 67% |
| Supplementary Assessment: |
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| In taking this unit you cannot take PL30865 |
| Description:
| Aims: Over the last twenty years one of the most significant and controversial developments in European politics has been the electoral rise of far-right parties. Although Jean-Marie and Marine Le Pen's Front National and the late Jorg Haider's Austrian Freedom party have grabbed most of the headlines, the success of extreme right parties is not just confined to France and Austria. From Scandinavia to the Mediterranean States and from the Benelux countries to the post-communist states, the extreme right has made electoral inroads in recent years. Even in the UK the British National Party has enjoyed some unprecedented success in local, European and national elections. Drawing on both a comparative and case-study approach the aim of this unit is to unravel the complex world of this extreme right phenomenon in contemporary Europe. It examines where and why extreme right parties have made electoral progress, looks at the controversial nature of their policies and asks why people vote for such parties. Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the successful student will be able to demonstrate the following: 1. A critical understanding of key theoretical definitions e.g., 'extreme right', 'far-right', 'radical right' etc. 2. A critical appreciation of the historical role of fascist and extreme right politics and how it has shaped the contemporary political debate surrounding the rise of extreme right parties in contemporary Europe. 3. The ability to synthesise in detail where and why extreme right parties have made electoral progress across Europe in recent years. 4. A knowledge of the policies and issues espoused by Europe's extreme right parties and an awareness of the differences that exist between them in terms of general outlook and policy. 5. A critical understanding of the major theoretical interpretations/arguments put forward to account for the rise of extreme right parties in contemporary Europe. Skills: Skills in critical analysis, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, effective communication, teamwork and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are developed and assessed in this unit. Content: * The extreme right and the link to the historical past * Theoretical interpretations and explanations of the extreme right * The electoral rise of the extreme right parties in contemporary Europe * The policies, issues and voters of contemporary extreme Right parties * The mainstreaming of the extreme right * The extreme right within an EU context * The extreme right in contemporary Europe: a case study approach. |
| Programme availability: |
PL30880 is Optional on the following programmes:Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
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