Module Identifier IPM0130  
Module Title COMPARATIVE EUROPEAN POLITICS (S)  
Academic Year 2004/2005  
Co-ordinator Dr Elena A Korosteleva-Polglase  
Semester Semester 2  
Course delivery Seminars / Tutorials   22 Hours (1 x 2 hour seminar per week)  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam3 Hours  60%
Semester Assessment Essay: 1 x 3,000 words  40%
Supplementary Exam Students may, subject to Faculty approval, have the opportunity to resit this module, normally during the supplementary examination period. For further clarification please contact the Teaching Programme Administrator in the Department of International Politics. 

Learning outcomes

Completion of this module should equip students with:

- knowledge of, and the ability to utilize for the purposes of critical analysis and evaluation, comparative methodology.
- advanced knowledge of central issues in the study of contemporary European politics
- detailed awareness of key scholarly debates in the study of European politics
- substantially enhanced research and writing skills

Brief description

This module examines central issues and problems in contemporary European politics.

Aims

This module introduces and explores major issues of concern to postgraduate students specializing in the study of contemporary European politics. The module aims to enhance student knowledge of these issues and develop student awareness of how comparisons can be used to explain important political processes.

Content

The module begins with a discussion of the importance of comparative method in political science. It then goes on to consider the importance of the historical legacy, with a particular focus on the development of Europe since the end of Cold War. Subsequent seminars focus on dominant themes in the contemporary political-economy of the continent; the evolving politics of nationalism, regionalism and identity; the challenges facing representative democracy in many states; and the impact on Europe of the processes of European integration and globalization.

Transferable skills

Completion of the module should enable students to develop the following transferable skills:

- Written and oral communication (through essays and seminar participation)
- IT skills (including word processing and use of internet)
- Analytical thinking
- Independent research skills (in use of library and electronic information resources)
- Time management
- Understanding of quantitative information (in analysis of data from public opinion surveys)

Reading Lists

Books
H Wallace and W Wallace (2000) Policy Making in the European Union Oxon, OUP
JJ Richardson (2001) Power, Policy, Politics of the European Union London, Routledge

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7