PO1ICD: Introduction to Contemporary Democracy

Module code: PO1ICD

Module provider: Politics; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr David Marshall, email: d.j.marshall@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: 23 May 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. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Draw on established theories and methods within Comparative Politics to analyse current events and country-specific developments, and differences across countries.
2. 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.
3. 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,
4. 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: 

1. Democracy and democratisation 
2. Executives: presidential and parliamentary systems 
3. Electoral systems 
4. Voting and voting behaviour 
5. Parties and party systems 
6. Political communication and role of the media 
7. Interest groups 
8. The welfare state from a comparative perspective 
9. Gender quotas and referendums 

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. 

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.

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

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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/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. 

Reassessment

Additional costs