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Introduction to Comparative Politics

Module description

Politics is the organization of human communities. This module introduces you to the key concepts that political scientists employ to describe political life – collective actors such as political parties and institutions such as parliaments. Central to our understanding of modern politics is the state – both as an actor when engaging other social groups and as an institution that provides the legal rules for almost all our interactions.

Although you will spend time thinking about concepts and theories, empirical case studies will inform all the questions you ask.

Teaching and learning for this module will take place in an interactive environment where you will be expected to engage fully with your peers and tutor as well as working independently. Lectures will give you a grounding in the key issues and debates pertaining to the topic under consideration. Independent study and seminars will help you  to formulate, debate, and refine your 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;
• provide you with some of the analytical tools necessary to evaluate them;  
• and show you how these concepts and theories relate to empirical cases

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

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

• 1. Demonstrate understanding of core concepts in relation to political regimes;
• 2. Demonstrate understanding of basic theoretical approaches to analyse political transitions and gain knowledge about core debates around them;
• 3. Demonstrate empirical knowledge of different regimes and governance

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

• 4. Learn to critically analyse primary and secondary political source material;
• 5. Understand and apply key political theories and models;

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

• 6. Develop critical thinking skills, particularly in relation to normative and conceptual arguments;
• 7. Communicate effectively in speech and writing;
• 8. Research & critically evaluate information;
• 9. Work independently, within a limited time frame, to complete a specified task.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics: 

• The Modern State
• Varieties of Political Regimes
• Transitions between Regimes
• Democratisation and Authoritarianism
• Regional governance
• Case-studies of political regimes and political transitions

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

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

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

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Caramani, D. (2017), Comparative Politics, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Clark, W. R., Golder, M. and Golder, S. N. (2018), Principles of Comparative Politics, CQ Press.
• Dickovitch, J. T., & Eastwood, J. (2016) Comparative Politics: Integrating Theories, Methods and Cases, New Yord: Oxford University Press.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

• Albert Weale (2007), Democracy, Palgrave Macmillan.
• David Held (2006),  Models of Democracy, Polity Press.
• Andrew Linklater (1998), The Transformation of Political Community, Polity Press.
• Michael Mann (2012) The Sources of Social Power, Cambridge University Press.
• Peter B. Evans et al (1985) (eds) Bringing the State Back In, Cambridge University Press.
• Jack Knight and Itai Sened (1998) (eds) Explaining Social Institutions, University of Michigan Press.

Key words search

State; society; political regime; political transition; power; globalisation; identity; nationalism.