MA Political Science - European Politics & Policy Pathway (Standard Route)

Year of entry: 2023

Course unit details:
Comparative Political Analysis

Course unit fact file
Unit code POLI60301
Credit rating 15
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Offered by Politics
Available as a free choice unit? Yes

Aims

The course aims to provide students with:

  • Strong knowledge of the latest perspectives in political analysis;
  • a broad-ranging awareness of tools and methodologies available to researchers undertaking advanced-level primary research in politics;
  • strong critical abilities in evaluating leading scholarly work in politics;
  • provide a deep and applied understanding of concepts necessary for undertaking original advanced level research in politics.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

  • understand some of the major conceptual debates in the field of comparative politics;
  • critically evaluate leading research in politics;
  • understand conceptual and methodological questions with greater depth;
  • understand the range of analytical tools available for conducting politics research;
  • apply the analytical frameworks in their own work, including the dissertation.

Teaching and learning methods

The course is comprised of 1 hour lecture and 1 hour seminar. The seminars combine small group and whole-class discussions. Students are expected to critically engage with the reading and to form opinions about it. We aim to provide knowledge of the main analytical perspectives and hold in-depth discussions about key political concepts.

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Other 30%
Written assignment (inc essay) 70%

Online Test worth 30% and one main essay 2800 words, worth 70%.

Recommended reading


David Marsh and Gerry Stoker's (2010) [eds] [3rd edition] Theory and Methods in Political Science, Basingstoke: Palgrave

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Seminars 20
Independent study hours
Independent study 130

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Kavan Bhatia Unit coordinator
Maria Sobolewska Unit coordinator
Andrew Slack Unit coordinator

Additional notes

 

 

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