Module overview
To introduce the theoretical underpinnings of the democratic state; to outline theoretical and practical changes and challenges to the democratic state both today and in the future; to draw links between theoretical ideas about the democratic state and democratic politics in action.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Develop and defend own arguments in logical, clear, and concise ways
- Identify and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses in different types of evidence
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- The relative weight of factors contributing to democratic backsliding and resilience with reference to specific cases
- The key forms, drivers, and impacts of challenges facing democracies around the world
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Critically examine the causes and consequences of democratic backsliding using global perspectives
- Identify contemporary and rising challenges to democratic states and politics
- Assess competing critiques of democracy
Syllabus
Key issues of democracy in theory and practice; contemporary and emerging challenges and changes to democratic politics and the democratic state
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching will be 2 hours of lectures per week and a one-hour workshop every other week. All lectures will be recorded and posted on Blackboard. Lectures will be delivered face to face. Total of 24 hours of lectures (2 hours per week x 12 weeks) and 6 hours of workshops (1 hour x 6 weeks) per module.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Teaching | 30 |
| Independent Study | 114 |
| Total study time | 144 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Croissant, Aurel and Tomini, Luca (2024). The Routledge Handbook of Autocratization. Taylor & Francis.
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Workshop Report Assessment | 20% |
| Workshop Report Assessment | 20% |
| Research essay | 60% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Research essay | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Research essay | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External