Module POL3206 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
POL3206: The Political Economy of the State
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
The first aim of the module is to allow you to analyse the development and operation of the modern state. You will do this by first analysing some key historical turning points and processes, such as ‘the Glorious Revolution’, the extension of the franchises in democracies, the development and reform of civil services. How did these come about, what have been their consequences? Our approach will be to apply simplified models that can help you to isolate and analyse the relationships between powerful groups in each context. Application of such models will help you to sharpen your analytical skills and to think counterfactually about complicated situations. Comparing models to the historical and empirical record will help you to develop critical skills for assessing and revising arguments.
A second aim is to understand the contemporary dilemmas facing the state by drawing on insights from history and analytical models. For instance: How should sovereign debt be managed? How should macro-economic policy be made? How should public infrastructure be provided? How far can states reduce their expenditure whilst continuing to function?
Throughout the module you will draw on literature from political economy, economic, political and administrative history.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of key historical turning points in the development of the modern state. 2. Apply political economy models to the analysis of developments of the modern state. 3. Produce in-depth analysis of the dilemmas that currently face states using political economy models and in light of the historical record. |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 4. Critically assess the limitations of political economy models. 5. Effectively and critically use a range of sources and materials commonly employed in political economy research, including historical studies and quantitative data. |
| Personal and Key Skills | 6. Develop structured, coherent and theoretically informed arguments about key dilemmas facing the state 7. Write clearly about abstract models and empirical data. |
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial tasks | 3 x 5 minute presentations | 1-6 | Verbal |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 | 40 | 2,500 words | 1, 2, 4-7 | Written |
| Essay 2 | 45 | 3,000 words | 2-7 | Written |
| Policy Briefs | 15 | 2x 750 words (submitted as portfolio) | 1, 2 4 | Written |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 | Essay 1 (2,500 words) | 1,2, 4-7 | August/September reassessment period |
| Essay 2 | Essay 2 (3,000 words) | 2-7 | August/September reassessment period |
| Policy Briefs | Policy Briefs (2x750 words) | 1,2 4 | August/September reassessment period |
