PIR-10038: Why Politics Matters

School of Politics, International Relations & Philosophy

PIR-10038

Why Politics Matters

Co-ordinator:

Dr Brian Doherty Room: CBB2.028, Tel:34176

Teaching Team:

Dr Brian Doherty, Dr Matthew Wyman Mrs Paula Hughes Mr Kyril Drezov Mrs Julie Street Prof Andrew Dobson Dr Philip Catney Miss Laura Barcroft Mrs Diane Mason Dr Rachel Turner

Lecture Time:

See Timetable...

Level:

Credits:

Study Hours:

150

School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for

International Relations Dual Honours (Level 1)
International Relations Major (Level 1)
International Relations Minor (Level 1)
International Relations Single Honours (Level 1)

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description

This module provides an introduction to politics that strips it back to its essentials. We examine the core debates in the subject and show why argument and disagreement are perennial features of modern politics but also why politics is an integral feature of modern societies.

Core questions in the first part of the course include - where does politics happen? Is it only about government, or can it also include politics in our daily lives, such as who looks after the children? Are we under the thumb of a ruling elite or does democracy mean that power is diffused widely in society? If democracy was the greatest political achievement of the twentieth century, is it now in trouble? Are people now more disenchanted with politics and are politicians less honest and more corrupt than they used to be? Has the state interfered too much in our lives or should government being doing more? What makes a good citizen and does being a good citizen include saying no to governments on occasion? There are no easy or universally-agreed answers to these questions, but trying to answer them will help you understand the forces that shape the world you live in, the choices that you have about how to live your life, and you will also learn how mere opinions do not make good political arguments.

In the second part of the course you will deepen your understanding of the role of conflicting values in politics by working in a small group to understand how a contemporary political issue can be seen differently by different ideologies such as liberalism, conservatism and socialism. Even if you don't think of yourself as political, you will learn how you take political decisions and express political views every day. This module will allow you to understand why politics and your role in it matters.

The course structure is based on whole group lectures and weekly seminars. You will study a workbook of readings and complete a range of tasks that will help you prepare for the seminars, write your essay and prepare for a small group presentation to the rest of your seminar group. You will receive guidance on how to build up a portfolio of research notes from lectures and reading and you will receive feedback on three pieces of assessed work: a book review done as a short class test (25%); a group presentation (25%) and a 1,500 word essay (50%).

Aims

1. To provide an engaging introduction to the academic study of politics, with a focus on its essential contestability, and one which does not repeat the standard A-Level Politics curriculum.
2. To inculcate core study and employability skills and to serve as an induction for students into how politics is studied in universities.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate an understanding of debates over core concepts in politics will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02, 03, 04

Identify and access relevant material from the academic literature on politics, through research for their essay and group project. will be achieved by assessments: 01 FORMATIVE, 03, 04

Communicate ideas and analysis effectively and clearly in written form using good standards of punctuation will be achieved by assessments: 02, 04
Effectively prepare for an examination and deliver good answers will be achieved by assessments: 01 FORMATIVE, 02
Demonstrate an ability to work in a team to produce an audio-visual presentation will be achieved by assessments: 03

Understand the nature of academic honesty and plagiarism and demonstrate the ability to acknowledge the use of sources, using the Harvard reference system will be achieved by assessments: 01 FORMATIVE, 02, 04

Study hours

12 hours attendance at lectures (including a one hour class test)
10 hours attendance at seminars
Reading and preparation of lecture, seminar and reading notes portfolio - prior to class test 38 hours
Other preparation for seminars 20 hours
Preparation of group presentation, including research - 30 hours
Researching and writing of essay - 40 hours

Description of Module Assessment

01: Portfolio (must pass this element)

A portfolio of notes on lectures and reading for seminars
Students will bring their notes to a seminar and review other student's' notes, with the tutor also making sure that portfolios have been completed. This is a pass/fail exercise, which does not contribute to the module mark, but students must do this exercise in order to pass the module.

02: Class Test weighted 25%

A review essay - written as a class test
This provides an opportunity to practice writing under exam conditions.

03: Group Presentation weighted 25%

Team of 5 presents for 20 minutes
The presentation will be to the rest of the seminar group and the tutor. It is expected that it will involve audio-visual materials, which will also be submitted to the tutor. Each group will research a different ideology, choosing from a list.

04: Essay weighted 50%

1,500 word essay
An essay based on the core themes of the module.

Reading Sources