
MA Political Science - European Politics & Policy Pathway (Standard Route) / Course details
Year of entry: 2024
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Course unit details:
Comparative Political Analysis
Unit code | POLI60301 |
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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 |
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 |
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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 | |
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Seminars | 20 |
Independent study hours | |
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Independent study | 130 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
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Kavan Bhatia | Unit coordinator |
Additional notes