Political Parties and Elections

Key information

Start date
End date
Year of study
Year 2
Duration
Term 1
Module code
153400158
FHEQ Level
5
Credits
15
Department
Department of Politics and International Studies

Module overview

This module introduces electoral and party politics in modern democracies. It will involve the discussion of a wide range of theoretical approaches to the study of parties and elections and assess their applicability to non-western cases.

Objectives and learning outcomes of the module

On successful completion of this module a student will be able to:

  • Understand the functioning of democratic parties
  • Analyse how parties compete for votes
  • Understand the effect of different electoral systems
  • Test a range of political theories on parties and elections

Workload

This module will be taught over 10 weeks with:

  • 1 hour lecture 
  • 1 hour tutorial

Method of assessment

  • Assignment 1: 20%
  • Assignment 2: 70%
  • PR1: Presentation 10%

Suggested reading

  • LeDuc, Niemi and Norris, Comparing Democracies: Elections and Voting in a Changing World (Sage)
  • Caramani, Daniele. (2011) Comparative politics, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  • Alan Ware. (1996) Political parties and party systems, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  • McNair, An Introduction to Political Communication (Routledge 2011)
  • Lees-Marchment, Principles and Applications (Routledge 2009)

Disclaimer

Important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules