This module will compare political systems across the globe, with a focus on different types of political system (democratic, authoritarian, etc.) including the distinction between majoritarian and consensus democracies, political parties, party systems and cleavage structures, electoral systems and voting behaviour, constitutions, legislatures, executives, political culture, pressure groups, public policy, and emerging issues, such as populism and anti-party sentiment.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Display a familiarity with some of the most widely used theoretical and methodological perspectives in the field of comparative politics and an ability to relate them to the practice of political phenomena in the contemporary world.
Analyse the differences between political systems, institutions and party systems across the globe.
Apply the frameworks of comparative politics to specific case studies
Understand the strength and weaknesses of the comparative method
Assessment
29356-01 : 1000 Word Midterm Paper : Coursework (25%)
29356-02 : 3000 Word Essay : Coursework (75%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions
Assessments: Mid-term paper (summative, 25% weighting, 1000 words)
Final paper (summative, 75% weighting, 3000 words)
Reassessment: Final paper 3000 words