Democracy and Development: Thai History and International Politics Summer Program

Wedi cwblhau'r modiwl dylai'r myfyrwyr fedru:

1. Speak confidently about Thai politics
2. Reflect on the basic theoretical approaches to Democracy
3. Experience what it means to think critically in a UK Higher Education setting
4. Have experience of writing a piece of academic writing in a UK Higher Education setting
5. Demonstrate an ability to work independently

The principle purpose of week one is to introduce students to the major concerns effecting political development in the Third World. The course will cover the principle challenges to achieving successful development politically, and will seek to confront the relationship between democratic governance and the priorities of developing economies. Underlying this concern will be an exploration of the relationship between ‘modernity’ and democracy. Drawing upon Historical perspectives as well as the expertise of International Politics, the course will equip students with a practical and conceptual understanding. It will do so in order to explore the Thai case specifically.

1. To provide an introduction to theoretical approaches to democracy and development in a Thai context.
2. To enable students to speak confidently about theoretical obstacles to the building of a successful Democracy
3. To encourage critical thinking about Thai politics.
4. To improve writing and communication skills.
5. To gain experience of what it is like to study a degree at Aberystwyth University.

(Indicative)

Week 1 (Delivered by International Politics)

Lectures: 7 x 1 hour

1) Introduction to Democracy and Development
2) Public diplomacy and development
3) Alternative conceptions of development
4) Political Economy and Democracy
5) Problems of Democracy Promotion
6) Democracy as a Western concept
7) Democracy and Modernity: Historical case study: Germany

Seminars: 2 x 1 hour
1) Is Democracy a relative concept?
2) How important is Democracy in Thailand?

Round Table: 1 x 2 hour
‘Thailand: Emerging Democracy?’

Total hours: 11

Week 2 (Delivered by History)

Lectures: 7 x 1 hour
1) Thailand’s Military Governance: Phibun to Sarit
2) Emerging Democracy? Politics and Activism 1973 – 1992
3) Who is Thaksin, and what happened in 2001?
4) Is there such a thing as ‘Thai Style Democracy’?
5) Thailand’s Political Crisis 2006-2015
6) Corruption and Reform: Discourse and Reality
7) Where now for Thai Democracy?

Seminars 2 x 1 hour

1) Thai Political History: Why does it matter?
2) Applying International Theory to the Thai context

Debate: 1 x 2 hour
Student’s set debate topic

Week 3: (Mainly CDP activities)

2 x 2 hour workshops:
1) Democracy in Action workshop with a Welsh AM
2) How important is Democracy today?

Mae'r modiwl hwn yn cydymffurfio a FfCChC Lefel 4