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PO1ICD: Introduction to Contemporary Democracy
Module code: PO1ICD
Module provider: Politics; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Credits: 20
Level: 4
When you'll be taught: Semester 1
Module convenor: Dr Matthias Kronke, email: m.w.kroenke@reading.ac.uk
Pre-requisite module(s):
Co-requisite module(s):
Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):
Module(s) excluded:
Placement information: NA
Academic year: 2024/5
Available to visiting students: Yes
Talis reading list: Yes
Last updated: 17 December 2024
Overview
Module aims and purpose
The module introduces students to democracy as a concept, how democracy works or does not work around the world today, and types of democracies. The module further covers topics such as regime change, varieties of executive systems and electoral systems, political parties, voting behaviour and the welfare state. The examples and evidence are partly based on the UK and Western Europe, but also include other regions of the World and comparisons where appropriate. Students are introduced to the discipline of Comparative Politics in a broader sense.Â
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:
- Draw on established theories and methods within Comparative Politics to analyse current events and country-specific developments, and differences across countries.
- Demonstrate an understanding of core perspectives and arguments within areas of Comparative Politics such as regimes and executive types, electoral systems, electoral behaviour, parties or the welfare state.
- Engage effectively with concepts such as correlation and causation, ideas and interests, representation and accountability, the role of compromise in politics, and collective action problems,
- Present material, orally and in writing, in a coherent and well-structured form.
Module content
Although subject to change, the topics to be addressed in the module include:Â
- Democracy and democratisationÂ
- Executives: presidential and parliamentary systemsÂ
- Electoral systemsÂ
- Voting and voting behaviourÂ
- Parties and party systemsÂ
- Political communication and role of the mediaÂ
- Interest groupsÂ
- The welfare state from a comparative perspectiveÂ
- Gender quotas and referendumsÂ
Structure
Teaching and learning methods
The module consists of eleven ninety-minute lectures, and eleven one-hour seminars. Students will prepare for lectures and seminars by doing set readings and reflecting on a number of seminar questions. The lectures introduce the topics and key concepts in a broader sense, cover key theories, and explore relevant empirical evidence for each topic. Seminars are discussion-based to delve into the specific aspects of each topic through student presentations, case studies, group work and other exercises. Screencasts will be used to support learning and to introduce specific aspects and methods of comparative politics.Â
Study hours
At least 22 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.
 Scheduled teaching and learning activities |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Lectures | 16 | ||
Seminars | 11 | ||
Tutorials | |||
Project Supervision | |||
Demonstrations | |||
Practical classes and workshops | |||
Supervised time in studio / workshop | |||
Scheduled revision sessions | 1 | ||
Feedback meetings with staff | |||
Fieldwork | |||
External visits | |||
Work-based learning | |||
 Self-scheduled teaching and learning activities |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Directed viewing of video materials/screencasts | 5 | ||
Participation in discussion boards/other discussions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | 1 | ||
Other | |||
Other (details) | |||
 Placement and study abroad |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Placement | |||
Study abroad | |||
 Independent study hours |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Independent study hours | 166 |
Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.
Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.
Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.
Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.
Assessment
Requirements for a pass
Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.
Summative assessment
Type of assessment | Detail of assessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of assessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written coursework assignment | Essay | 40 | 2,000 words | Semester 1, Teaching Week 12 | Students will choose their essay question from a list of questions in the module outline for the academic year, 2024-2025 |
In-person written examination | Exam | 60 | 3 hours | Semester 1, Assessment Period |
Penalties for late submission of summative assessment
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:
Assessments with numerical marks
- where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
- the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
- where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
Assessments marked Pass/Fail
- where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.
The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
Formative assessment
Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.
Students will deliver an unmarked presentation in the seminars that may serve as the basis for their essays. Students will receive feedback from seminar tutors on how to improve their analysis and discussion of a given problem/question relevant for the essay. Students are welcome to discuss essay and presentation plans with the module convenor or with their seminar tutor during Feedback and Consultation hours.Â
Reassessment
Type of reassessment | Detail of reassessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of reassessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written coursework assignment | Essay | 40 | 2,000 words | During the University resit period | Students will choose their essay question from a list of questions in the module outline for the academic year. |
In-person written examination | Exam | 60 | 3 hours | During the University resit period |
Additional costs
Item | Additional information | Cost |
---|---|---|
Computers and devices with a particular specification | ||
Printing and binding | ||
Required textbooks | John McCormick (2022): Comparative Government and Politics (12th Edition). An Introduction. MacMillan, ISBN: 978-1350932548 [or earlier versions] | Available online via the library as an e-book. Approx. £30 to purchase. |
Specialist clothing, footwear, or headgear | ||
Specialist equipment or materials | ||
Travel, accommodation, and subsistence |
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.