MA Political Science - Governance and Public Policy Pathway (Standard Route) / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

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
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

Additional notes

 

 

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