PO3PPL-Populism

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Kiwi Ting
Email: w.l.ting@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Although it is not a new concept or political phenomenon, populism has received massive public and academic attention in recent years. The election of Donald J. Trump as US president and the successful Brexit referendum are only two of the most remarkable examples of how populism affects politics. Many scholars agree that populism is, at its core, a worldview that pits the ‘honest and upright people’ against ‘evil and corrupt elites,’ which is unrelated to specific ideologies. Hence, it comes in different forms, form left-wing populist parties to radical or far right parties which use populism. These theoretical and conceptual debates have also implications for the empirical analysis of populism. With various competing definitions and varieties, questions about the proper measurement and operationalization of populism arise. Finally, populist actors do not operate in a vacuum. Important questions arise when thinking about these parties impact: How do populists behave once they are in power? How do other parties react to the rise of populism? And what makes populist parties attractive to voters? The module introduces students to these important questions and discusses the theoretical and empirical advances of the literature.

Aims:

This course aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the explanations for populist successes and the consequences of their political actions.

Specifically the learning aims are:

• to familiarise students with key terms, such as populism, host-ideology, and the far right


• to enhance the students’ understanding of the varieties of populism


• provide students with the theoretical and empirical tools to understand, contextualise and study the current rise of populism 

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Ability to critically assess theories and approaches that explain populist party support.


• Ability to develop viable arguments about the rise of populism.


• Capacity to nuance, unpack and conceptualise the various manifestations of populist politics and understand variation in terms of demand and supply depending on case specific circumstances.


• Ability to apply relevant theoretical materials on case studies.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

Please note, this module content is indicative only and may be subject to minor changes.

1. Introduction


2. What is populism


3. Populism and ideologies


4. How to research and measure populism


5. Theories of demand


6. Theories of supply


7. Populist communication


8. The mainstreaming of populist ideas


9. Populism and (Liberal) Democracy


10. Populism around the Globe

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

• 10x 1 hour lecture to introduce the core knowledge


• 10x 1.5 hours seminars with interactive activities to collectively explore the respective issue


• Student presentations of party profiles or data sets in individual sessions


• Essay writing to apply the learned theoretical knowledge to specific cases


• Individual consultation with the lecturer


• Guest talks and interventions by renounced international experts .

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		10
Seminars		15
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		20
Wider reading (directed)		20
Preparation for presentations		10
Preparation for seminars		40
Preparation of practical report		10
Carry-out research project		30
Essay preparation		25
Reflection		20
Total hours by term	0	200	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	50
Report	30
Oral assessment and presentation	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

There is no summer term examination for this module.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1. Research essay: 4000 words. Due by the end of the summer term


2. Party profile: 1000 words. Due by the end of the spring term


3. Presentation of a party or dataset: 10 minutes. Rolling deadline

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• 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 five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40%

Reassessment arrangements:

If a student fails to pass the year at the first attempt there is an opportunity to be re-assessed on one further occasion at the next opportunity in those modules achieving a mark of less than 40%. Students who are eligible for re-assessment have the right to re-assessment in all elements even if they have previously passed one of those elements. It is expected, however, that the majority of students would probably elect not to repeat an element in which they had already passed, in which case the confirmed marks would be carried forward.

Coursework: Failed or missing coursework should be re-submitted on Blackboard within the specified deadline.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 5 September 2023