Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL1020: Politics in Europe

This module descriptor refers to the 2018/9 academic year.

Module Aims

The module assesses how changing patterns of governance (specifically, the rise of the regulatory state, globalisation, and Europeanisation) are affecting traditional models of governance. These themes are explored through lectures and seminars. The course focuses on the political systems of the UK, France, Germany, Scandinavian countries and Eastern Europe. The module explains how the process of European integration has transformed political systems, political institutions and public policy, as well as the limitations of Europeanization.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. understand the nature and evolution of core concepts regarding comparative politics, classification and typology of democratic systems (parliamentary, presidential, direct democracies);
2. identify how changing patterns of governance (specifically, the rise of the regulatory state, globalisation, and Europeanisation) are affecting traditional models of governance;
3. analyse the role of political parties, interest groups, legislatures, executives, judiciaries, and the media;
Discipline-Specific Skills4. critically analyse primary and secondary political source material;
5. construct and present rigorous oral and written argument;
6. understand key political theories and models;
Personal and Key Skills7. communicate effectively in oral and written work;
8. use IT for the retrieval and presentation of information;
9. engage with on-line interactive material and discussion.

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Bale, Tim (2008) European Politics: a Comparative Introduction - 2nd edition (Basingstoke: Palgave Macmillan).

Bache, I. and A. Jordan, eds, (2006) The Europeanization of British Politics, Palgrave.

Bache, I. S. George and S. Bulmer (2011) Politics in Europe.

Bulmer, S. and C. Lequesne (2013) The Member States of the European Union (New European Union Series).

Hancock, Donald (2012) Politics in Europe. Washington, DC : CQ Press.

LeDuc, Richard G. Niemi, and Pippa Norris. (2010) Comparing democracies 3 : elections and voting in the 21st century. Sage.

Strøm, Kaare,Müller, Wolfgang C. and Bergman, Torbjörn (2003) Delegation and Accountability in Parliamentary Democracies. Oxford University Press.