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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2010/2011
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Social and Political Science : Politics

Undergraduate Course: Parties & Party Systems In Contemporary Democracies (PLIT10083)

Course Outline
School School of Social and Political Science College College of Humanities and Social Science
Course type Standard Availability Available to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken) SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) Credits 20
Home subject area Politics Other subject area None
Course website None Taught in Gaelic? No
Course description The course is aimed at developing students understanding of one of the core topics of political science: the study of political parties and party systems. It will introduce students to the issues regarding the formation and evolution of political parties and party systems, party organisation and internal party democracy, and the crisis of trust in political parties.
This course will help students clarify the concepts and assumptions at the heart of the debates about democracy and political parties and understand the interplay between citizens, political parties and the state. The primary focus of the course will be Western Europe, although references will also be made to other democratic political systems.
Throughout the course, students will also be asked to follow the lead up to campaign for the 2011 Scottish election.
Entry Requirements
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisites Visiting students should have at least 3 Politics/International Relations courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses.
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2010/11 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1) WebCT enabled:  Yes Quota:  45
Location Activity Description Weeks Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
CentralLectureLecture1-11 15:00 - 15:50
First Class Week 1, Monday, 15:00 - 15:50, Zone: Central. Chrystal Macmillan Building, Seminar Room 1
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours:Minutes Stationery Requirements Comments
Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May)2:0016 sides of A4
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
Critical understanding of the different explanations of party organisation, party system formation, and party and party system change;
Understanding of the functions and roles that political parties play in contemporary democracies;
Ability to compare contexts of party formation and party system formation;
Understanding of the challenges that parties face;
Ability to think comparatively;
Development of skills in oral and written communication and presentation through seminar activities, essay writing and feedback.
Assessment Information
Coursework 40%; exam 40%; tutorial participation & presentation 20% (TBC)
Special Arrangements
Special Arrangements for Entry: A quota of 45 students, with preference given in the following order:

(1) Politics Single Honours 4th year;
(2) International Relations Single Honours 4th year;
(3) Politics Joint Honours 4th year;
(4) Politics Single Honours 3rd year;
(5) International Relations Single Honours 3rd year;
(6) Politics Joint Honours 3rd year;
(7) Other SSPS students;
(8) Non-SSPS students

Please note: because of the high numbers of students enrolled, this course will almost certainly not be able to admit students from outside the College of Humanities and Social Science.
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus Not entered
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list Not entered
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
Keywords Not entered
Contacts
Course organiser Dr Elodie Fabre
Tel: (0131 6)51 3997
Email: e.fabre@ed.ac.uk
Course secretary Miss Susan Orr
Tel: (0131 6)50 4253
Email: Susan.Orr@ed.ac.uk
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copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh - 13 January 2011 6:38 am