POL10160 Foundations of Contemporary Politics

Academic Year 2022/2023

This course introduces students to the study of political science. The module equips students with the theoretical, conceptual and analytical skills to critically evaluate comparative and international politics. Key topics include democracy, authoritarianism, political conflict, party competition, voter behaviour, organised interests, social movements, power, the state, the nation, political violence, human rights, ideology, electoral systems, party systems, lobbying, regulation, capitalism, international organisations, and transnational governance.

The key question we address is who exercises power in politics, and how? Who gets what, when and how?

During the course, attention will be given to developing effective critical, reading, analytical, and writing skills. Students are expected to submit a 200 word response to the course readings and materials every second week. These responses will be guided by a specific question that is central to the study of political science. You are expected to show an attempt at formulating a critical response to these questions, and to demonstrate a reflexive capacity to read and think for yourself.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

- Understand the key subject areas within the study of political science.
- Understand the diversity of methodological approaches to the study of political science.
- Understand the big theoretical debates that underpin political science research.
- Understand the importance of interests in politics.
- Understand the importance of ideas in politics.
- Understand the importance of institutions in politics.
- Understand the determinants of voting behaviour.
- Understand the difference in party and parliamentary systems.
- Understand the role of interest groups and civil society in politics.
- Understand the role of the media in agenda setting.
- Understand the relationship between politics and economics.


Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Tutorial

6
Autonomous Student Learning

90
Total

120
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures; critical writing; active/task based learning. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Attendance: There are 6 tutorials.

You must attend and actively participate in these tutorials.

Tutors will ask you to discuss your response papers in tutorials.		 Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

20
Continuous Assessment: You have to submit a 200 word response paper every second week on Brightspace.

6 x 200 word responses.

Every third week, tutors will grade your first three response papers.

These are graded.		 Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

80

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 1 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Robert Garner, Peter Ferdinand and Stephanie Larson. 2020. Introduction to Politics. 4th edition, ed. Oxford University Press.

Name Role
Katherene Welsh
 Tutor