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PL30880: The rise of the extreme right: from the margins to the mainstream

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2014/5
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Further information on credits Credits: 6
Further information on unit levels Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 2
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 33%, EX 67%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CW 33%)
  • Exam (EX 67%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: In taking this unit you cannot take PL30865
Further information on descriptions 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.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PL30880 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AYB13 : BA(Hons) French and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AYB12 : BA(Hons) German and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AYB16 : BA(Hons) Italian ab inito and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AYB14 : BA(Hons) Italian and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AFB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations (Year 3)
  • UHPL-AAB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AKB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics (Year 3)
  • UHPL-AAB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AFB29 : BSc(Hons) Politics with International Relations (Year 3)
  • UHPL-AAB29 : BSc(Hons) Politics with International Relations with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AKB29 : BSc(Hons) Politics with International Relations with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AYB15 : BA(Hons) Russian ab inito and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AYB17 : BA(Hons) Spanish and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 4)

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2014/15 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2015/16 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2014/15.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, 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.