Comparative Politics
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| PHIR2021 | Politics and International Relations | 2 | 20 | Autumn Malaysia |
- Code
- PHIR2021
- School
- Politics and International Relations
- Level
- 2
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn Malaysia
Summary
This module introduces students to the politics and political institutions of a number of countries. It does so from a thematic perspective, namely by first discussing concepts and theories of Comparative Politics and then applying them to several countries. Issues explored may include the origin and impact of electoral institutions, the role of cleavage in politics, structures of political economy, regime form, and gender.
Target Students
Open to PHIR students and students from the Faculty, the University, and on exchange. This module has been particularly identified as suitable for year 2 students including those from other schools, faculties, the University and on exchange.
Classes
- One 1-hour seminar each week for 12 weeks
- One 2-hour lecture each week for 12 weeks
Assessment
- 40% Coursework 1: Essay in 2000 words
- 10% Inclass Quiz Panel: Weekly quiz panels
- 50% Exam 1 (1-hour): 1 hour written exam
Educational Aims
By the end of the module, students will be able to: Demonstrate a particular knowledge of politics and political institutions of several counties (to be assessed by coursework, exam and quizzes);Have a nuanced understanding of political conflict in a number of countries (to be assessed by coursework, exam and quizzes).Be able to apply theories of Comparative Politics to their own analyses of Politics (to be assessed by coursework, exam and quizzes).Learning Outcomes
to include
By the end of the semester, students should demonstrate the following in relation to Comparative Politics:
a) Knowledge and Understanding
- wide knowledge of contemporary Comparative Politics.
b)Intellectual skills: - ability to think about the connection between theory and empirical analysis;
- ability to analyse critically and assess a variety of approaches and methods for the study of Comparative Politics;
- ability to engage in academic debate about the role of institutions and social cleavages in politics.
c) Professional/Practical skills: - evidence gathering and evaluation;
- advanced writing skills under exam conditions;
- independent learning.
d) Transferable & Key skills: - the capacity to engage in a structured and well informed discussion about complex questions (to be practised in class discussions)
- the ability to write in a structured and concise way under time pressure (to be assessed in the exam);
- the skill to write a thought through, well-argued longer piece of work (to be assessed in the coursework essay).
- The capacity to reflect on the relationship between theory and practice (to be assessed in the reading assignments and presentation).
e) IT skills: - understand how technology can be used as a research tool as well as to facilitate the transfer of knowledge.
Conveners
- Prof William Fred Case