The Logic of Democracies and Dictatorships

Module title	The Logic of Democracies and Dictatorships
Module code	POL2103
Academic year	2020/1
Credits	15
Module staff	(Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	12

Number students taking module (anticipated)	75

Module description

Politics is the organization of human communities. This module introduces you to the key concepts that political scientists employ to describe central differences between the organization of such communities: the way they are governed. Central to our understanding of modern politics is the state and its form of government. The module will first trace the emergence of the state and then its type of government.

While discovering the language of comparative political science, the module also covers the grammar of the discipline, that is, the methods by which we study politics. Specifically, we will focus on the comparative method as the key tool to describe the similarities and differences between democracies and dictatorships, and use simple theoretical games to understand why countries democratize, or don’t.

Although we will spend considerable time thinking about concepts and theories, empirical case studies will inform all the questions we ask. In true comparative fashion our examples will stem from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Teaching and learning for this module will take place in an interactive environment where students will be expected to engage fully with their peers and tutor as well as working independently. Lectures will give students a grounding in the key issues and debates pertaining to the topic under consideration. Independent study and seminars will help students to formulate, debate, and refine their own analyses of these topics.

Module aims - intentions of the module

In this module we aim to:

introduce you to the key concepts in the study of comparative politics regime type;
provide you with some of the analytical tools necessary to evaluate them;
and show you how these concepts and theories relate to empirical cases around the world.

We also aim to provide a supportive learning environment that fosters you academic and personal development.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

1. Demonstrate a solid understanding of key concepts in the study of comparative politics of regime type
2. Demonstrate good understanding of the central methodology of comparative politics the logic of comparison
3. Apply concepts to cases using the comparative method

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

4. use precisely defined concepts to compare different cases that share specific criteria;
5. Understand the path from concept, to the measurement of empirical phenomena;

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

6. engage with social science databases
7. Develop abstract thinking that focuses on shared characteristics of different cases
8. Develop precise judgment over empirical differences

Syllabus plan

The syllabus will vary according to the expertise of the lecturers who teach the module and according to the political and social debates which students may be interested in each year. Topics are likely to include:

introduction to comparative politics,
the state,
nationalism
the definition of and differences between democracies and dictatorships
variation within democracies and dictatorships,
elections, and the

social and political actors who compete over power within these systems of rule.

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
24	126	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and teaching activity	24	12 x 2 hour weekly seminars
Guided Independent study	44	Preparation for essay - including researching and collating relevant sources; planning the structure and argument; writing up the essay.
Guided Independent study	42	Preparation for examination including researching and collating relevant materials, reviewing lecture and seminar notes, examining past papers, making detailed revision notes.
Guided Independent study	40	Private study reading and preparing for seminars; contributing to the discussion forum on ELE; and preparing notes for seminars (see below in Formative Assessment).

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
In-class test quizzes (ResponseWare)	Single questions interspersed throughout lecture.	1-8	Oral, by lecturer
Open answer problems/group work	Groups of students will have to apply theory to cases in tutorials	1-8	Oral by tutor and peers

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
Examination	50	90 Minutes, 12 short answer, 3 short essay questions	1-8
Term Paper	50	1500 words	1-8
	0
	0
	0
	0

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
Examination	Examination (90 minutes)	1-8	August/September re-assessment period
Term Paper	Term Paper (1500 words)	1-8	August/September re-assessment period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:

Clark, Harold, Matt Golder and Sona Golder. 2012.Principles of Comparative Politics, 2^nd Ed. CQ Press: Washington, DC.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Key words search

State; democracy, dictatorship; institutions.

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	5
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	07/02/2013
Last revision date	10/01/2018