2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
PIED3410 Political Corruption
20 creditsClass Size: 90
Module manager: Michael Denison
Email: M.J.Denisonl@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2008/09
This module is not approved as an Elective
Module summary
The problem of corruption has become an increasingly prominent issue in the politics of most countries around the world. This is a module for people who are interested in understanding what corruption is and how it works in different societies at different times. It explores a variety of questions: What is corruption? What makes it political? How is corruption related to our understanding of crime, abuse of power and the rights of citizens in a modern state? What forms does it take? What causes it? What are its effects on state stability, political legitimacy and economic development? How does it differ in liberal democracies compared with developing countries or authoritarian states? Can the same criteria of public honesty and dishonesty be applied to very different political cultures? Can it have positive as well as negative political consequences? How can it be controlled or contained? Can it be policed in a global economy? How does the pursuit of 'good governance' affect corruption? These questions are examined both theoretically and by looking at a variety of actual case studies in both Western European democracies and developing countries. For further information see the School of Politics and International Studies website. If you cannot find the answer to your question then email m.j.denison@leeds.ac.ukObjectives
An examination of the nature of political corruption with special reference to its roots in patronage and clientelism in societies undergoing rapid transformation through modernisation and/or democratisation. The module is intended to address conceptual and methodological problems inherent in analysing patronage and corruption.Syllabus
The concepts of corruption, patronage and clientelism and their interrelationship; cultural and class explanations of corruption and clientelism; clientelism, factions and political conflict; corruption and the centrality of the state; patronage in western, communist and developing countries; what is the problem about corruption?
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 10 | 1.00 | 10.00 |
| Seminar | 5 | 2.00 | 10.00 |
| Private study hours | 180.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Essay | 1 x 3,000 words | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 50.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2 hr 00 mins | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 50.00 | |
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 websiteLast updated: 05/01/2010
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