Not available in 2020/21
GV450 Half Unit
European Politics: Comparative Analysis
This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Vesselin Dimitrov
Prof Michael Bruter, Dr Eiko Thielemann, Dr Florian Foos
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in European Studies (Research), MSc in European and International Public Policy, MSc in European and International Public Policy (LSE and Bocconi) and MSc in European and International Public Policy (LSE and Sciences Po). This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
The deadline for applications is 17:00 on Tuesday 29 September 2020. You will be informed of the outcome by 17:00 on Wednesday 30 September 2020.
Course content
The course is intended to provide students with a systematic introduction to central conceptual and theoretical debates in the comparative analysis of politics and government in Europe. The core syllabus focuses on both traditional fields of comparative enquiry, such as the study of party competition and voting behaviour, and emerging fields of interest, such as national and European identities, and immigration. The course takes a thematic approach and places particular emphasis on the diverse experiences of liberal democracy in individual European countries.
The main themes addressed include: Transformation of European politics; electoral behaviour and party systems; government formation and coalitions; regionalism and federalism; national and European identities; immigration.
Teaching
15 hours of lectures and 18 hours of seminars in the MT.
There will be a reading week in Week 6 of the MT for private study and assessment preparation.
Formative coursework
All students are expected to submit one formative essay and make one seminar presentation.
Indicative reading
Readings include: T Bale, European Politics: A Comparative Introduction, 4th ed; M Gallagher et al, Representative Government in Modern Europe, 5th ed; P Heywood et al (Eds), Developments in European Politics; M Bruter, Citizens of Europe; S Hix and B Hoyland, The Political System of the European Union, 3rd edition; J Hayward & A Menon (Eds), Governing Europe; A Lijphart, Patterns of Democracy, 2nd ed; Y Deloye & M Bruter (Eds) Encyclopaedia of European Elections; K Shepsle & P Bonchek, Analysing Politics; G Cox, Making Votes Count; G Tsebelis, Veto Players.
Assessment
Essay (100%, 3000 words).
Student performance results
(2016/17 - 2018/19 combined)
| Classification | % of students |
|---|---|
| Distinction | 36 |
| Merit | 64 |
| Pass | 0 |
| Fail | 0 |
Teachers' comment
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.
Key facts
Department: Government
Total students 2019/20: 8
Average class size 2019/20: 8
Controlled access 2019/20: Yes
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
- Leadership
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Application of numeracy skills
- Specialist skills
The assessment of the course is based 100% on an essay, which allows students to explore in depth an aspect of European politics and to investigate comparatively several European countries of their choice.