Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The module aims to outline the key concepts, debates, and topics of comparative politics as well as introduce students to the main methods used for the study of politics in different countries. In particular, the aims of this module are to enable students: to gain an understanding of the study of politics in different societies; to examine how political institutions are designed and how they function in various contexts; and to consider the consequences of different institutional designs on the relationship between the state and the people. Additionally, the course aims to introduce the relationship between domestic and international politics.

Outline Of Syllabus

Aims: The module aims to outline the key concepts, debates, and topics of comparative politics as well as introduce students to the main methods used for the study of politics in different countries. In particular, the aims of this module are to enable students: to gain an understanding of the study of politics in different societies; to examine how political institutions are designed and how they function in various contexts; and to consider the consequences of different institutional designs on the relationship between the state and the people. Additionally, the course aims to introduce the relationship between domestic and international politics.

Outline of syllabus:
There is a great variation in the politics across different countries and societies, as well as in the relationship between the state and its people. The aim of the module is to introduce to the students both institutional and behavioural perspectives, which help us explore and explain political phenomena across countries. The module will use real-life empirical examples from across the globe when introducing students to the core concepts and debates in comparative politics. Thus, the module will cover a selection of the following topics:
Introduction to comparative politics:
-Politics, comparative politics, and comparative methods
-Types and functions of the modern state, including states in post-colonial countries
-Regime types: types of democracies and authoritarian regimes; transition to democracy and democratic erosion
-Presidential, semi-presidential and parliamentary systems
Political institutions across different political systems:
-Electoral systems and electoral rules
-Political parties and party systems
-Legislatures and executives
-Judiciary
The relationship between the people and the state across the globe:
-Political representation: types of representation, group representation, etc.
-Civil society: political participation, voting and public opinion
-Civil society: intergroup relations & conflict
The relationship between domestic and international politics:
-The link between national and pan-national institutions (e.g., national legislatures/governments and the EU/NATO)
-Diplomacy

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

To secure a foundational understanding of the varieties, possibilities and limits of comparative analysis as a research method in the study of politics.

To develop a foundational knowledge and understanding of the key institutions, processes and concepts in the analysis of political systems.

To gain a wider understanding of the basic characteristics of a number of different national political systems and their institutional dynamics, as well as how they affect international relations.

To equip students to undertake further comparative study and/or deeper study of particular national political systems.

Intended Skill Outcomes

The module will allow students to develop the following skills:

The ability to think analytically and critically, particularly in the form of comparative evaluations

The ability to gather, organise and deploy evidence, data and information from a variety of sources to address comparative political research questions.

The ability to present answers to such research questions effectively both in oral and written forms.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The lectures will introduce students to key concepts and methods to understand how politics work in different contexts, as well as the relationship between domestic and international politics. The structured research and reading activities will help students to develop their understanding of key theories and approaches to the comparative study of politics, while also practicing key academic skills.

Independent study will enable students to further develop their knowledge and skills, as well as improving their portfolio of weekly exercises and preparing for the exam.

The workshop sessions will expose students to the way staff develop their own research on the topics discussed, which will help students to understand the elements included in any research design in an engaging substantive engagement. There will be a workshop aimed to support students develop their presentations skills and work in groups in an efficient and fair way.

The small discussion seminars will allow students to reinforce the knowledge acquired through the readings and lectures, as students will work on practical examples every week putting the knowledge into practice. Moreover, the seminars are a great opportunity to develop students' critical skills by working with each other to create activities to help other students learn better the topics discussed.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

1) The weekly exercises assess student learning against both the knowledge and skills outcomes set in the module.
2) The exam evaluates overall learning and comprehension of the module material by motivating students to make connections between the different topics and solidifying basic concepts and methods discuss in the discipline.

The assessments enable students to finish the module with a good understanding of concepts and methods in comparative politics. Moreover, having a variety of assessments speaks directly to the evidence that students have different areas of strength and that they can perform better on some of them. Thus, these assessments provide opportunities to compensate for weaknesses in some evaluative areas, while improving their critical, analytical and written abilities. Finally, students' feedback is positive on having the final mark broken down in different assessments.

General Notes

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