- Academic Registry
Programme & Unit Catalogues


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

[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: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: CW 33%, EX 67%
Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CW 33%)
  • Exam (EX 67%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: In taking this module you cannot take PL30865
Aims: One of the most significant and controversial developments in European politics since the turn of the century has been the rise of far-right parties.
While their electoral rise has been uneven, their impact on western democracies has been significant. Through what has often been argued to be disproportionate coverage, these parties have successfully managed to escape the margins they had been consigned to after the second world war and returned many of their core themes to the mainstream political discourse.
In this context, the aim of this unit is to engage with the far right and its impact on contemporary democracy. This is primarily done through a nuanced and in-depth engagement with core concepts and theories to help make sense of one of the key challenges of our times.

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 far right politics and how it has shaped the contemporary political debate surrounding the rise of far right parties in contemporary Europe.
3. The ability to synthesise in detail where and why far right parties have made electoral progress across Europe in recent years.
4. A knowledge of the policies and issues espoused by Europe's far 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 far 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 unit will discuss topics such as:
* Definitions and typology
* Racism
* Populism
* Electorate
* Gender
* Mainstreaming
* Resistance to the far right.

Programme availability:

PL30880 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Economics
  • UHES-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics (Year 3)
  • UHES-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • UHES-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UHES-ACB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics with Combined Placement and Study Abroad (Year 4)
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 initio and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AYB08 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (French and ab initio Italian) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AYB05 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (French and German) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AYB18 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (French and Spanish) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AYB06 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (German and ab initio Italian) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AYB23 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (German and Spanish) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AYB20 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (Spanish and ab initio Italian) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AYB17 : BA(Hons) Spanish 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)

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.