Credits: 15 Semester: 1
Module Convenor: Dr Brendan O'Duffy
Description: The political map of contemporary Europe is changing rapidly and fundamentally, as the traditional boundaries between East and West and between domestic and international governance break down. This course aims to provide a pan-European introduction to the continent's politics - one rooted in a comparative rather than a country-by-country approach. After establishing ontological and epistemological foundations in comparative political science and setting the historical and socio-economic context, the module focuses on comparative analysis of institutions (the nation-state, government and policy-making, legislatures, executives, parties, party systems and electoral systems.
Assessment: Item 1: 50% Essay (2000 words) Item 2: 50% Take-home exam (1000 words) (1 hours) Level: 5