Politics in Europe

Module title	Politics in Europe
Module code	POL1020
Academic year	2019/0
Credits	15
Module staff	Professor Florian Stoeckel (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	11

Number students taking module (anticipated)	200

Module description

In this module you will address how changing patterns of governance (specifically, the rise of the regulatory state, globalisation, and Europeanisation) are affecting traditional models of governance, focusing on the political systems of the UK, France, Germany, Scandinavian countries and Eastern Europe.

The theoretical foundations of the module lie in the combination of comparative politics and comparative political economy and Europeanization theory. You will examine the role of political parties, interest groups, legislatures, executives, judiciaries, the media and political participation.

This is fundamental for students wishing to specialise in comparative or European politics. There are no prior modules required to take this module. It is suitable for any student in social science or humanities from the first year and is recommended for interdisciplinary pathways, particularly students studying European languages.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module assesses how changing patterns of governance (specifically, the rise of the regulatory state, globalisation, and Europeanisation) are affecting traditional models of governance. These themes are explored through lectures and seminars. The course focuses on the political systems of the UK, France, Germany, Scandinavian countries and Eastern Europe. The module explains how the process of European integration has transformed political systems, political institutions and public policy, as well as the limitations of Europeanization.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. understand the nature and evolution of core concepts regarding comparative politics, classification and typology of democratic systems (parliamentary, presidential, direct democracies);
2. identify how changing patterns of governance (specifically, the rise of the regulatory state, globalisation, and Europeanisation) are affecting traditional models of governance;
3. analyse the role of political parties, interest groups, legislatures, executives, judiciaries, and the media;

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

4. critically analyse primary and secondary political source material;
5. construct and present rigorous oral and written argument;
6. understand key political theories and models;

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

7. communicate effectively in oral and written work;
8. use IT for the retrieval and presentation of information;
9. engage with on-line interactive material and discussion.

Syllabus plan

Comparative government and governance in Europe: theoretical and methodological foundations.
Varieties of political systems in Europe: governments and parliaments
Representative democracies: political parties and elections
The role of the media
Participation and interest groups
The UK
Germany
France
Southern Europe
The Scandinavian model meets Europe
The challenge of enlargement
How European integration affects governance in the member states (main hypotheses and mechanisms of Europeanization).

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
26.5	123.5	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity	16.5	11 x 1.5 hour lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity	10	10 x 1 hour tutorials
Guided Independent study	66	Coursework and independent study includes reading, note taking, and sketching answers to essay and seminar questions, presentation preparation and essay writing. This study is continuous throughout the course and should take at least six hours a week.
Guided Independent study	57.5	Further independent study.

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Discussions in Seminars	During Seminars	1 -7	Verbal

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
50	50	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Essay	50	2,000 words	1-8	Written comments
Examination	50	1 hour	1-7	Written comments

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Essay	Essay (2,000 words)	1-8	August/September assessment period
Examination	Examination (1 hour)	1-7	August/September assessment period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Bale, Tim (2008) European Politics: a Comparative Introduction - 2nd edition (Basingstoke: Palgave Macmillan).

Bache, I. and A. Jordan, eds, (2006) The Europeanization of British Politics, Palgrave.

Bache, I. S. George and S. Bulmer (2011) Politics in Europe.

Bulmer, S. and C. Lequesne (2013) The Member States of the European Union (New European Union Series).

Hancock, Donald (2012) Politics in Europe. Washington, DC : CQ Press.

LeDuc, Richard G. Niemi, and Pippa Norris. (2010) Comparing democracies 3 : elections and voting in the 21st century. Sage.

Strøm, Kaare,Müller, Wolfgang C. and Bergman, Torbjörn (2003) Delegation and Accountability in Parliamentary Democracies. Oxford University Press.

Key words search

Politics Europe

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	4
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	1.10.2011
Last revision date	27.2.12