Approaches to Comparative Politics (POLS90024)

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject students should:

• be familiar with the main developments in the sub-discipline since 1945;
• be able to provide a critical overview of each of the discrete developments identified;
• be capable of deciding which, if any, of the approaches will be of greatest value to them in their own subsequent research or work programs.

Generic skills

• Research: through competent use of the library and other information sources (inc. online), and the definition of areas of inquiry and methods of research.
• Critical Thinking and Analysis: through recommended reading, briefing and essay writing, and seminar discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument.
• Thinking in Theoretical Terms: through seminar discussion, essay writing and engagement in the methodologies of the humanities and social sciences.
• Thinking Creatively: through essay writing, seminar discussion and presentations, conceptualising theoretical problems, forming judgements and arguments from conflicting evidence and by critical analysis.
• Understanding of Social, Ethical and Cultural Context: through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument.
• Communicating Knowledge Intelligibly and Economically: through briefing and essay writing, and seminar discussion.
• Written Communication: through briefing and essay preparation and writing.
• Oral Presentation: through seminar discussion and informal class presentations.
• Time Management and Planning: through managing and organising workloads for recommended reading, essay and assignment completion.
• Group Work: through group discussions.