2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
PIED1110 Comparative Politics
20 creditsClass Size: 290
Module manager: Professor Jocelyn Evans
Email: J.A.J.Evans@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
Comparative politics involves two separate yet integrated components: it compares the nature of politics and processes across different political systems, and it studies how and why we make these comparisons. As such, this course is organized along both theoretical and substantive lines. This module is designed to introduce major concepts and issues in the comparative study of politics and government. The module explores the logic of comparative political analysis (how social and political scientists create and test theories about political life), the value in comparing political behaviour and institutions across time and space, basic varieties of political institutions, processes, and political cultures in the world. The module also considers how and why some political systems are more democratic than others. The module also acts as an introduction to quantitative data in the first year, enabling them to understand and use secondary data interpretation.Objectives
1. To provide students with an awareness of the variety of political systems that exist across the globe.2. To explore similarities among and differences between various political systems.
3. To cultivate methodological and analytical skills of comparison.
4. To introduce students to quantitative data through tabular and graphical content, and develop familiarity and competence in using these to inform their understanding.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Demonstrate a familiarity with the basic the general features of various political systems across the globe.
2. Demonstrate awareness of some of the main similarities and differences of those systems.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of analytical and comparative techniques, including quantitative approaches.
Skills Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate a familiarity with the basic the general features of various political systems across the globe.
2. Demonstrate awareness of some of the main similarities and differences of those systems.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of analytical and comparative techniques, including quantitative approaches.
Skills Learning Outcomes
1. Retrieve, organise, and produce basic summaries of information and/or data.
2. Assemble basic arguments and be able to evaluate the arguments of others.
3. Work and discuss with others in a collaborative manner.
4. Use digital technologies to retrieve data and information and to communicate this information to others.
Syllabus
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| e-Lecture | 20 | 0.50 | 10.00 |
| Lecture | 10 | 1.00 | 10.00 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1.00 | 10.00 |
| Independent online learning hours | 30.00 | ||
| Private study hours | 140.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 30.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Formative : Standard exam using MCQ (2 hours)Student involvement in seminar discussions will allow the tutors to monitor student comprehension of the material.
The non-assessed multiple choice question exam (week 6) will reveal the extent to which students understand the fundamental political ‘rules of the game’ and competence in interpreting data tables and figures. The final assignment will assess students’ understanding of the comparative approach to political systems, their capacity to construct a conceptual argument relating to multiple political systems, and their ability to use relevant simple data to support this argument.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Assignment | Coursework | 100.00 |
| 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 websiteLast updated: 09/12/2024
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