MODULE SPECIFICATION
Code: UPPNHG-30-2 Title: Comparative Politics Version: 1
Level: 2 UWE credit rating: 30 ECTS credit rating:15
Module type: Standard
Owning Faculty: SSH Field: Politics
Faculty Committee approval: QSC Date: 27 Jan 2010
Approved for Delivery by: Not applicable
Valid from: September 2010 Discontinued from: N/A
Contributes towards: |
Awards up to BA/BSc (Hons) |
Pre-requisites: UPPNFA-30-1 Democracies or Dictatorships? or equivalent
Co-requisites: None
Entry requirements: Not applicable
Excluded combinations: None
Learning outcomes:
On completion of the module students should be able to:
1. Understand and explain the value of the comparative method in political analysis (All assessments)
2. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of different political science methods (Component A and the research report)
3. Account for the different routes to democratization (Component A)
4. Account for the institutions, processes and outcomes in different democracies (All assessments)
5. Complete a piece of independent research (Research report)
6. Make an effective oral presentation (Presentation)
Syllabus outline:
The uses of comparative politics. The module will draw upon a number of themes for comparison, which include some of the following; democratization, elections and political parties, political recruitment and representativeness; political communication; political culture, government formation; public policy, territorial and regional issues.
The module develops student awareness of both quantitative methods (such as; surveys, content analysis, aggregate data analysis), and qualitative methods (such as; participant observation, interviews, analysis of documents and personal records).
Teaching and learning methods:
These will comprise formal lectures and seminars. Lectures will provide a survey of the comparative themes and research methods. Seminars will promote critical analysis of both through group discussion. Seminars will also be the setting for group work, presentations and advice on locating relevant resources for the research report.
Reading Strategy
The module handbook will provide an extensive guide to relevant reading. Students will be advised to buy the recommended textbook(s). Key sources will be placed in the library’s short loan collection. Many of the recommended journal sources are available in both hardcopy and electronic format. A class will be devoted to locating relevant resources prior to assessment.
Indicative Reading List:
Burnham, P. et al, Research Methods in Politics, 2nd ed, Palgrave Macmillan 2008
Dalton, R., Citizen Politics: Public Opinion and Political Parties in Advanced Industrial Democracies, 5th ed., CQ Press, 2008
Dalton, R. and M. Wattenberg, eds, Parties Without Partisans: Political Change in Advanced Industrial Democracies, Oxford University Press, 2001
Farrell, D., Electoral Systems: A Comparative Introduction, Palgrave Macmillan 2001
Harrison, L., Political Research: An Introduction, Routledge 2001
Landman, T., Issues and Methods in Comparative Politics: An Introduction, Routledge, 2000
LeDuc, L. et al, Comparing Democracies: Elections and Voting in Global Perspective, Sage, 1996
LeDuc, L. et al, Comparing Democracies 2: New Challenges in the Study of Elections and Voting, Sage, 2003
LeDuc, L. et al, Comparing Democracies 3: Elections and Voting in the 21st Century, Sage, 2009
Lijphart, A., Electoral Systems and Party Systems: A Study of Twenty-Seven Democracies, 1945-1990, Oxford University Press, 1994
Marsh, D. and G. Stoker, Theory and Methods in Political Science, Macmillan, 1995
Marsh, D. and G. Stoker, Theory and Methods in Political Science, 2nd ed, Palgrave Macmillan, 2002
Relevant Journals:
American Political Science Review, Comparative Political Studies, Comparative Politics, Democratization, Journal of Democracy, Journal of Elections, Public Opinion and Parties, Party Politics, West European Politics
Assessment
Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A:30% B:70%
ATTEMPT 1
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A Element weighting
Two-hour Examination Final Assessment 30%
Component B
1. Contribution to group work The group work is based on 4 seminars
where the class will be divided into groups. Each group will work on a
particular subject/ theme which will then lead to the (individual) presentations
in which each member of the group will deal with an aspect of the subject.
The groups will decide what subject to study, negotiate with groups in the
seminar so as there is no duplication, allocate tasks within the group, share
sources and help each other prepare for their presentations. The task will be
assessed on overall performance across the 4 seminars in response to
questions asked by the seminar tutor 15%
2 10 minute presentation 20%
3 3000 word research report 35%
Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is not required)
Component A
Two-hour Examination 30%
Component B
1 15 minute presentation 30%
2 3500 word research report 40%
SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT: Attendance at taught classes is not required.
Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)