PO233-15 Core Issues in Comparative Politics
Introductory description
The central aim of this module is to get students to think like comparativists, and –eventually- to get students to do research in comparative politics. Comparative politics is the systematic study of government and politics in different countries, designed to better understand them by drawing out their contrasts and similarities.
By comparing countries, we can explore fundamental questions which have fascinated people for centuries. Such questions are endless: Why do political regimes and institutions develop how they do, where they do? What does democracy mean? How do people view democracy, and are there different opinions around the world? Why are some countries democratic and others not? Why do people use political violence in some places and times? What effects do different institutional designs have upon political outcomes? Why does the level of voter turnout vary across countries? Why is nationalism stronger in some places? Why do some countries intervene in the economy more strongly than others?
Students will focus on such questions, and apply their theoretical knowledge of comparative politics by working on their own academic research projects.The module will combine theory and practice, and takes an integrative approach to the relationship between big themes and country case studies. This module serves as a good introduction for third year modules which focus on specific countries or regions, as well as modules with a strong empirical component. In this module PO233, students will not only learn about topics and theories in comparative politics, but also how to do comparative research in practice. Moreover, they will make short films, see for outcomes in previous years.
Module aims
- to introduce students to the methodological and theoretical foundations of comparative approaches to political science;
- to deepen their knowledge in a number of relevant areas of comparative political research;
- to analyze and compare some of the current political developments in different countries around the world
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Week 1: Introduction to the Module
Week 2: Conceptualising Democracy
Week 3: Measuring Democracy
Week 4: How to Compare Countries
Week 5: How to Explain Democracy
Week 6: Reading Week
Week 7: Academic Research Projects in Comparative Politics (i)
Week 8: Academic Research Projects in Comparative Politics (ii)
Week 9: States and Nations, Identity and Nationalism
Week 10: Your Research Projects in Comparative Politics
Week 11: Civil War
Week 12: Poverty and Corruption
Week 13: Political Institutions in Divided Societies
Week 14: Political Institutions: Legislatures, Parties and Party Systems
Week 15: Political Institutions: Electoral Systems
Week 16: Reading Week
Week 17: How to Build the 'Best' Nation(s)- State?
Week 18: Public Opinion and Survey Studies
Week 19: Dissemination of Findings: Presentation of Research & Film Projects
Week 20: New Directions in Comparative Politics & Essay Writing
Week 21: Revision Materials
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Understand the core concepts, theories and methodologies in comparative politics
- Describe national political systems and their essential elements
- Make critical evaluations of differences between national political systems
- Critically apply the theoretical literature to practical examples
- Gather, organise and deploy evidence, data and information from a variety of secondary and some primary sources
- Identify, investigate, analyse, formulate and advocate solutions to relevant problems
- Evaluate research material in a critical way
- Develop and present his or her own research projects within the discipline of comparative politics
Indicative reading list
- Caramani, Daniele (2008). Introduction to Comparative Politics, Oxford: Oxford University Press
- Hague, R. and M. Harrop (2010). Comparative Government and Politics, An Introduction, London: Palgrave
- Haerpfer, Christian and Patrick Bernhagen, Ronald Inglehart and Christian Welzel (2009), Democratization, Oxford: Oxford University Press
- Walliman, N. (2011). Your Research Project. London: Sage
View reading list on Talis Aspire
Subject specific skills
TBC
Transferable skills
TBC
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 9 sessions of 1 hour (6%) |
| Seminars | 9 sessions of 1 hour (6%) |
| Private study | 132 hours (88%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
TBC
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A1
| Weighting | Study time | |
|---|---|---|
| 3000 Word Essay | 100% | |
|
1,500 word essay |
||
Feedback on assessment
Essays are marked according to criteria set out in the Undergraduate Handbook.
There is currently no information about the courses for which this module is core or optional.