Module SGIA1191: DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL SYSTEMS

Department: Government and International Affairs

SGIA1191: DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL SYSTEMS

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• • In 2010–11, cannot be studied alongside SGIA2041 Democratic Government

Aims

• to enable students to gain detailed knowledge of two democratic political systems and their context.
• to encourage students to critically assess key aspects of these systems.
• to enable students to apply the knowledge and understanding gained with respect to these two political systems in order to investigate theories of democratic politics at greater depth at level 2.

Content

• The following core topics will be covered with regard to both political systems:
• the historical, socio-economic and cultural context of each system of government.
• the constitutional framework and its importance.
• the form and operation of the electoral and party systems.
• the territorial and institutional distribution of political authority in each system.
• the organization, operation and interaction of the main branches of government in both systems.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will acquire knowledge and understanding of:
• the institutional apparatus of democratic states and the social-political and political-cultural environments in which they operate
• the historical basis of the institutional apparatus of democratic states
• the nature and some examples of political contestation in democratic states
• main areas of scholarly debate in the analysis of democratic institutions and processes.

• Students will acquire the ability to:
• accurately and effectively describe political institutions and processes in the context of democratic states
• place selected democratic political systems an appropriate historical and comparative context
• analyse and evaluate competing conceptualizations and explanations of political phenomena, producing defensible judgements

• Students will develop their ability to:
• retrieve and utilize resources they have been directed to
• assess the suitability and quality of resources for research purposes
• review, reinforce and integrate their knowledge independently in preparation for an examination
• demonstrate these and the above acquisitions in written form under pressure of time and without supporting materials

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Teaching is delivered via a series of lectures supported by tutorials.
• Lectures take two forms: those oriented to the intellectual content of the module, and those aimed specifically at the inculcation of relevant skills, including research and writing skills (auditory comprehension and note-taking are practiced and developed in all lectures).
• Tutorials are driven by student oral presentations and group discussion of these guided by the tutor, helping to develop powers of argument and flexible deployment of knowledge.
• Formative essays help develop researching and writing skills, as well as time management.
• Oral presentations help develop skills in presenting knowledge orally, as well as developing research skills.
• An examination tests acquired knowledge and the ability to recall and marshal it constructively and in a focused manner, under time pressure.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Two essays of 1,500 words

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University