POL20020 Comparative Politics

Academic Year 2021/2022

This module introduces students to issues and methods in comparative politics, focusing on domestic politics. We study politics in a comparative context, to broaden and deepen our understanding of important political institutions and processes. We do this by making systematic comparisons among political systems that are similar in many respects, but nonetheless differ in important ways. This allows us to analyse the effect of these differences in a careful and rigorous way, enriching our understanding of how politics works.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course the students will:
Understand why we might use the comparative method in political research and some of the main strengths and limitations of this approach;
Understand how countries differ in their political institutions and why this matters;
Understand the some aspects of the role of gender in politics;
Develop transferable skills including: critical thinking, peer work, and written communication.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24

Tutorial

6

Autonomous Student Learning

95

Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Seminars
Group discussions
Academic reading and writing 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Students taking this course should have already have taken a Level One Politics course or its equivalent. This course is recommended for all students who intend to take any Politics courses at Level Three in the future.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: 2,000 word essay - details on Brightspace Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

60

Class Test: In class online MCQ Week 12 n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

20

Continuous Assessment: Completion and submission of activity sheets in each tutorial/seminar. Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

20


Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be provided to students within 20 working days of the deadline for the assignment in accordance with university policy

Name Role
Professor David Farrell Lecturer / Co-Lecturer