Undergraduate Course: Political Parties in the 21st Century (PLIT10122)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course focuses the building blocks of modern politics: political parties and party systems. In this course, we examine the structures and functions of the modern party, strategies and campaigning, and new party system dynamics. This course takes a case-study approach, allowing students to apply theoretical understandings of party politics to real-world examples. |
| Course description |
What role do parties serve in twenty-first century democracies? Do we need parties for democracy to work? How do parties mobilise and campaign? How do parties ensure representation within their ranks or manage territorial divisions? The course will work to answer these questions through the comparison of key cases, guided by the interests and expertise of students as well as current events.
Political parties define how we see and understand politics. Schattschneider (1942) wrote that 'democracy is unthinkable save in terms of parties'. Political parties are central actors, mediating voter¿s preferences and policy outcomes. At the same time, many parties in Western democracies have experienced partisan dealignment, declining membership, and increased competition from protest and populist parties. This course unpacks these issues, assessing what functions parties serve in political life, examining party campaigns and electoral strategies, and examining the ways in which parties adapt to accommodate new modes of political mobilization.
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students enrolled in the class should have at least 20 credits in politics. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2019/20, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 30 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 10,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20,
Revision Session Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
164 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
85 %,
Practical Exam
15 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Presentation 5%
Participation 10%
Policy briefing (1500-1700 words) 35%
Essay (2500 words) 50%
|
| Feedback |
Detailed written feedback will be given on the presentation and coursework. Additional verbal feedback on course participation and any areas of difficulty will be available in office hours. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of party politics and party systems through oral contributions in class and through written work
- Apply knowledge of party politics and the comparative method and design a research project analyzing two or more parties
- Critically review the literature and primary source materials on the field in class and in written assignments
- Present their findings on their individual cases orally
- Work with others in a seminar setting to test understanding and hone their analysis
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Reading List
Katz, R.S. and Crotty, W.J. eds., 2006. Handbook of party politics. Sage.
Mair, P., Müller, W.C. and Plasser, F. eds., 2004. Political parties and electoral change: party responses to electoral markets. Sage.
Meguid, B.M., 2008. Party competition between unequals: Strategies and electoral fortunes in Western Europe. Cambridge University Press.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
In-depth knowledge of political parties and political campaigning
Effective written and verbal communication
Effective research and analytical skills
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| Keywords | party politics,politics,democracy |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Ms Coree Brown Swan
Tel:
Email: c.brownswan@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms April Workman
Tel: (0131 6)51 5197
Email: v1aworkm@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
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