The Transformation of European Politics
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| POLI2014 | Politics and International Relations | 2 | 20 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- POLI2014
- School
- Politics and International Relations
- Level
- 2
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
This module aims to provide students with a systematic introduction to current debates in the comparative analysis of European politics. The module adopts a thematic approach and focuses on both traditional fields of comparative enquiry, such as the study of party systems and representation, elections and voting behaviour, party competition and government formation, executive-legislative relations, as well as emerging fields of interest, such as populism, extreme right politics, immigration, authoritarianism, and the socio-economic and political challenges of globalisation and European integration. The diverse experiences of liberal democracy in European countries and the political and social changes that they have undergone are discussed thematically in the seminars. The module covers both long-established democracies in Western Europe and newer democracies in Central and Eastern Europe.
Target Students
Available to Year 2 UG students in the School of Politics and International Relations on single and joint honours plans. Also available to Year 2 UG students on the Philosophy, Politics and Economics plan, incoming exchange students based in the School of Politics and International Relations, and Ningbo International Studies students.
Classes
This module is taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, and lecture engagements.
Assessment
- 40% Coursework 1: 1,500-word essay
- 60% Coursework 2: 2,500-word essay
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
Students will acquire knowledge of contemporary developments in European politics; acquire an understanding of the relationship between domestic and global forces; acquire knowledge of the actors and institutions, politics and society in selected European countries. Students’ ability to examine real-world problems will be improved through theoretical concepts and empirical application; students will engage in debates surrounding emerging fields of interest, such as political populism, extreme right politics, immigration and the socio-economic and political challenges of globalisation and European integration. Students will develop analytical and theoretical skills that provide the foundations for higher degrees or that can be transferred directly into professional careers; written papers will encourage students to develop practical skills such the ability to plan and work independently, and in a team, and to use theoretical and empirical information in order to elucidate a contemporary issue.Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding - By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Interpret contemporary developments in European politics
- Demonstrate awareness of the main concepts for understanding the crisis of representative democracy in Europe today
- Outline the emerging issues and debates affecting the social and institutional foundations of European democratic politics.
- Classify selected European countries based on their societies, institutions and politics
- Explain the relationship between domestic change and global transformations, including globalization and European integration.
Intellectual & transferrable skills - By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Develop independent research skills;
- Search for relevant primary and secondary source materials;
- Sift through, identify and critically evaluate information;
- Collate information to formulate logical arguments;
- Express and present ideas and arguments clearly in written form;
- Apply theoretical frameworks to empirical cases;
- Compare and contrast European country cases;
- Combine theory and empirical evidence to make inferences;
- Become mature, independent learners who can demonstrate initiative, self-organisation and time-management attribute.
Digital Skills - By the end of this module you will be able to:
- Manage e-learning tools such as Moodle and to use electronic sources for research purposes;
- Communicate digitally and use shared productivity tools to work effectively across cultural, social and linguistic boundaries participate in learning dialogues via digital media;
- Use communication and information technology, including audiovisual technology, for the retrieval of information and, where appropriate, statistical or numerical information;
- Use digital media to learn;
- Demonstrate a critical approach to evaluating information in terms of its provenance, relevance, value and credibility; Use digital evidence to solve problems and answer questions;
- Participate in and benefit from digital learning opportunities to identify and use digital learning resources to manage digital workload.