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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
SchoolSchool of Social and Political Science CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThe 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.
Course description Not entered
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesVisiting 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.
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
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.
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
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.
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Elodie Fabre
Tel: (0131 6)51 3997
Email: e.fabre@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Ruth Winkle
Tel: (0131 6)50 4253
Email: Ruth.Winkle@ed.ac.uk
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