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2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PIED1300 European Politics

20 creditsClass Size: 200

Module manager: Dr Ed Gouge
Email: E.S.Gouge@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

What is the character of politics and political power in Europe?What makes political systems different and why? Are there new political cleavages emerging?Will Green politics become more important?Who is more powerful in different European political systems: the Prime Minister, Parliament or the Civil Service?Is corruption a problem?Is there a Europe of regions?The module introduces you to the kaleidoscope of European Politics so that you can begin to understand why political systems are different and the main problems that democracies in Europe face. It concentrates on France, Germany, Italy and Britain but these four countries will be compared with other Western European countries and with the new political systems in Eastern Europe.We look at how European countries have become democracies. We will look at the differences in the power of PMs, Presidents and Parliaments. We will examine the social variations among European countries and how they produce different patterns of political parties and ask whether new movements such as environmentalism and feminism are changing traditional party loyalties.For further information see the School of Politics and International Studies website. If you cannot find the answer to your question then email E.S.Gouge@leeds.ac.uk

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- understand why and how liberal democracy has become the dominant type of political system in Europe;
- understand the main social differences in European countries that have a political importance and the way in which these affect political parties;
- compare the roles of the main institutions and "actors" in a number of European countries;
- appreciate how politicians and interest groups operate and where power lies in the political systems;
- they should also have developed their ability to communicate verbally and to write succinctly and their ability to assess the validity of their own and other people's conclusions about European political systems.

Syllabus

The nature of liberal democracy and its development in the 20th century. Political culture and political cleavages. The main political cleavages and their impact on party systems. The types of parties and the evidence of party system change, including the development of new parties such as green and radical right parties. The main elements of political systems and the role of the constitution in regulating them. The organisation of MPs and Parliament, their roles and their relationship to the Executive. Government formation and durability. The role of the Cabinet, Prime Minister, Head of State and Civil Service. Regional and Local Government. The module will concentrate on Italy, Germany and France to allow students to become familiar with and to compare these political systems in depth, although the lectures will allow broader comparisons across Europe to be made and students may investigate other countries if they have a special interest in them.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Workshop11.507.50
Lecture111.0011.00
Seminar51.507.50
Private study hours174.00
Total Contact hours26.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Discussion of essay topic. Peer assessment of essay. Seminar participation in small group work.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay1 x 2000 word30.00
Assignment1 x 4000 word50.00
Presentationgroup presentation20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 13/01/2010

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