Course Catalogue

View Specification Document | Reading List

The purpose of this course is to examine and compare the political processes, governing institutions and political economies of contemporary European societies. Through the in-depth study of country case studies, we will analyze how history has shaped the political and economic structures of these societies and the extent to which these structures determine contemporary political outcomes in both the advanced industrial democracies of the west and the transition countries of the east.

6 x 3-hour sessions.

Open to postgraduate students only.

None

None

 This module will be formally assessed by means of:

■ Coursework in the form of an essay 3,000 words in length (50% of grade)

■ A written exam to be convened in class (50% of grade)

·To introduce students to contemporary theories of comparative European politics with a focus on the advanced industrial democracies of the west and on the transition societies of the east.
·To identify the key debates about the future of European states and political societies.
·To evaluate how domestic culture, interests, and institutions influence political outcomes in European states.
·To examine critically debates about the extent to which these processes are eroding distinctive national governance styles.
·To apply broader theoretical approaches to country cases in the region as well as specific policy problems faced by European states.

By the end of this course students will be able to:
·Identify the primary theories of comparative politics and apply them to European societies.
·Analyze political processes and outcomes in European countries and develop arguments to explain these processes and outcomes.
·Critically examine debates about how European integration affects European states and political outcomes.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.