Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL2127: Electoral Politics

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

 

-How the “fundamentals” (such as economic performance and how long the incumbent party has been in power) help explain election outcomes

-How electoral rules shape electoral outcomes (e.g., “Duverger’s Law” in first past the post single member district system versus proportional representation systems)

-Whether or not campaigns have an effect on election outcomes/the effect of campaign activities on

-Competing theories of voting behaviour

-The role that scandal plays in affecting the electoral prospects of parties and candidates

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
26.5123.5

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled learning and teaching activity16.511 X 1.5-hour lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activity1010 X 1-hour tutorials
Guided independent study123.5A variety of private study tasks directed by module leader. These tasks may include: •Reading assignments •Preparing assessments •Following political news events

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).