| School of Politics, International Relations & Philosophy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PIR-30119 | The Extreme Right in Western Europe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Co-ordinator: | Dr Liz Carter Room: CBA1.024, Tel:34248 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Teaching Team: | Mrs Paula Hughes, Mrs Julie Street, Miss Laura Barcroft, Mrs Diane Mason | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture Time: | See Timetable... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level: | 3 | Credits: | 15 | Study Hours: | 150 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Programme/Approved Electives for |
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| International Relations
Dual Honours (Level 3) International Relations Major (Level 3) International Relations Minor (Level 3) International Relations Single Honours (Level 3) Politics Dual Honours (Level 3) Politics Major (Level 3) Politics Minor (Level 3) Politics Single Honours (Level 3) |
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| Available as a Free Standing Elective |
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| No |
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| Barred Combinations |
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| Prerequisites |
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Description Right-wing extremist parties have experienced success in elections in a number of countries in Western Europe over the last three decades. This phenomenon has attracted widespread attention, both in the media and in academic circles, sparking a number of frequently asked questions: why have these parties suddenly become electorally successful? What exactly do they stand for? What kind of people vote for them? Why do people vote for them? Why have they experienced more success in some countries than in others? Should we be worried about their rise? And what can we, or mainstream political parties, do to counter their rise? This module aims to examine all these questions. Rather than adopting a country-by-country approach it follows a thematic structure. It begins by exploring the different theories and debates that seek to explain why right-wing extremist parties have emerged in Western Europe in the contemporary period (Session 2). Then it turns its attention to the concept of right-wing extremism itself and investigates what characteristics a party might have if we are to label it an $ùextreme right&© party and what makes an extreme right party different from other types of party (Session 3). The next two sessions then examine the ideologies of different right-wing extremist parties across different West European countries (Session 4) and explore who votes for these parties and why (Session 5). Having established what these parties stand for and who votes for them, the module then tackles the question of why some right-wing extremist parties (in various countries and at different points in time) have been electorally more successful than others (Session 6). It then goes on to explore the impact that (successful) right-wing extremist parties have had on public debate, policy-making and party competition over the last 30 years or so (Session 7), and it explores the various consequences of this increased influence for the extreme right parties themselves $ú including pressures to moderate their ideology, and internal struggles and splits (Session 8). The final substantive session (Session 9) then considers how mainstream parties have attempted to counter the rise and growing influence of the parties of the extreme right. The module is delivered in weekly two-hour seminars over ten weeks. Assessment is based on: 0% group presentation; 50% 2,500 word essay; 50% 2-hour unseen examination. |
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| Aims |
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| This module aims to &· provide a Level 3 introduction to the theoretical perspectives, empirical approaches and key bodies of literature to analysing right-wing extremism and right-wing extremist parties and voters &· enhance critical skills needed to analyse complex theories and concepts related to the study of right-wing extremism, to evaluate how we best define these concepts, and to apply these definitions to real life case studies &· cultivate skills needed to effectively engage in empirical and comparative research in the field of political ideologies, party politics and psephology &· enhance skills needed to effectively assess and evaluate the impact of contemporary right-wing extremism on public debate, party competition and policy-making, and to relate the academic study of right-wing extremism to questions of public and political concern &· enhance communication skills (both oral and written) and experience of working in a team |
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| Intended Learning Outcomes |
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| Critically analyse and evaluate complex theories and concepts related to the study of right-wing extremism and right-wing extremist parties and voters will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3 Apply definitions and classifications of right-wing extremism to case studies so as to compare and contrast the ideologies right-wing extremist parties across Western Europe will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3 Identify the socio-demographic characteristic of extreme right party voters and, on the basis of this empirical investigation, critically analyse and evaluate theories of extreme right voting behaviour will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3 Identify and assess the reasons that explain why some right-wing extremist parties have been electorally more successful than others will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3 Assess the impact of right-wing extremism on public debate, policy-making and party competition across Western Europe and relate the academic study of right-wing extremism to questions of public and political concern will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3 |
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| Study hours |
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| Seminar contact time: 20 hours Preparation for seminars (including preparation for group presentation): 40 hours Preparation for and writing of essay: 50 hours Preparation for exam and sitting exam: 40 hours |
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| Description of Module Assessment |
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| 01: Group Presentation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A formative small group presentation Students will work in groups of 2-4 to research the history, ideology and electoral base of right-wing extremist parties in a particular country of Western Europe. They will then deliver a 10 minute presentation of their findings to the rest of the class. They will be asked to support this presentation with a handout. This is a formative assessment. |
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| 02: Essay weighted 50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A 2500 word essay Students will complete a 2,500 word essay. They will have a choice of questions based around the seminar topics. |
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| 03: 2 Hour Exam weighted 50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A 2-hour unseen examination A 2-hour unseen examination in which students will answer two questions. They will have a choice of questions. |
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| Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Mar/2013
This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information. |
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