GV245     
Democracy and Democratisation

This information is for the 2015/16 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Francesco Panizza

Availability

This course is available on the BSc in Government, BSc in Government and Economics, BSc in Government and History, BSc in International Relations, BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, BSc in Politics and International Relations, BSc in Politics and Philosophy and BSc in Social Policy with Government. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit and to General Course students.

Pre-requisites

Students must have completed Introduction to Political Science (GV101).

Course content

The course is concerned with theories and case studies of democratic transformations. It focuses on several different parts of the world including Eastern Europe, Latin America, South East Asia, China, India, the Middle East and the former Soviet Union. It analyses processes of transition to democracy in historical context and also analyses relations between democracy, democratisation and economic development in a global capitalist economy.

Teaching

10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the MT. 10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the LT. 1 hour of lectures in the ST.

Lectures will run from week 1 - 10 in MT and LT. Classes will run from week 2-11 in MT and LT.

Formative coursework

Students will be expected to produce 2 essays in the MT and LT.

Indicative reading

The most useful introductory reading are J. Grugel (2002) Democratization: A critical introduction;  L. Whitehead Democratization (2002) and  the articles in Journal of Democracy, January 2015.  Other useful texts are  Rueschemeyer, Dietrich, Evelyne Huber Stephens, and John D. Stephens. (1991) Capitalist Development and Democracy. Oxford and Cambridge: Polity, pp.41-78 69-105, 1995; A Przeworski, Democracy and the Market (1991); D. A. Rostow (1970) Transitions to Democracy: Towards a Dynamic Model; T. Carothers (2002) The End of the Transition Paradigm?; Donatella Della Porta (2013) Can Democracy be Saved?

Assessment

Exam (100%, duration: 3 hours) in the main exam period.

 

GENERAL COURSE STUDENTS ONLY:

The Class Summary Grade for General Course students will be calculated as follows: 70% formative coursework, 20% class presentation, 10% class participation (including attendance and contribution).

Key facts

Department: Government

Total students 2014/15: 52

Average class size 2014/15: 9

Capped 2014/15: No

Lecture capture used 2014/15: Yes (MT & LT)

Value: One Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

PDAM skills

  • Self-management
  • Problem solving
  • Communication