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School of Government and Public Policy Courses 2017-18

FOR VISITING STUDENTS – ERASMUS / JYA / OVERSEAS

GENERAL INFORMATIONThe Internationalisation and Student Exchange Co-ordinator for the School of Government and Public Policy at the University of Strathclyde is Catherine Eschle [email protected] , McCance 4.33, tel 0141 548 2214, office hours in semester 1 only Thursday 3-5pm (Semester 2 office hours tbc), please email to make an appointment. Catherine deals with GPP students outgoing placements.

The administrator for incoming Erasmus exchange within the School of Government and Public Policy is Graham Upton [email protected] , McCance 4.36, tel 0141 548 4814. Please contact Graham Upton in the first instance for any enquiries relating to your exchange.

Applications for international exchanges should be made online, through the University of Strathclyde’s Mobility-Online system. Once your application is approved, you will need to select from the list below and add them to your Mobility-Online application.

A full load for home students is 120 Strathclyde credits across the year (i.e. 60 credits per semester). That is the equivalent of 60 ECTS (i.e. 30 ECTS per semester). We normally expect, then, that you take no more than 3 classes per semester.

You may select one class per semester from other subject areas in the university (it is Strathclyde policy that at least two classes per semester must be with the host department).Please not that we (or your host School, if it is not politics) have to ask their permission: entry is not automatic. You enter the class on Mobility-Online and we check with the other subject area before they approve the choice. You will also have to check with your home university exchange coordinator that classes in other subject areas are permissible for your curriculum.

Visiting undergraduates should normally select level 2 and level 3 classes. Level 1 classes are also open to you, but they are at an entry level that your home university may consider too basic. Please note that level 4 classes are NOT offered to visiting Students.

Visiting Masters students should select Masters classes: please contact Graham Upton and ask to see a list of available classes from our four MSc programmes in Public Policy, Political Research, International Relations, and International Relations, Security and Law.

Please be aware that any curriculum agreed before the start of semester is provisional, pending timetabling details. Once you arrive at the University, you will be enrolled onto our Pegasus student information service and we will upload your agreed curriculum to the system. You will then be able to see your timetable, sign yourself up for tutorials, and have access to the online virtual learning environment ‘Myplace’ to see class information. You will also want to confirm your Learning Agreement document or equivalent with the international exchange coordinator, to send back to your home university. We hold a welcome meeting at the start of each semester where we explain all of these processes.

Once your classes start, please introduce yourself to the class director at or shortly after enrolment, and to your tutor on first meeting, so that they are aware they have an international exchange student in their class.

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


STUDYING POLITICSFrom international conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, through elections in the UK and Scotland, to urban policies in Glasgow, politics is a broad discipline that encompasses the study of truly diverse issues.

As a politics student, you will analyse the activities of decision makers and governing institutions and how they are linked to citizens and groups at multiple levels of decision-making. You will study ideas about the nature of politics and how power is conceived and exercised; and how policies are made to deal with conflicts at local, national and international levels. Students of politics are, therefore, well equipped to understand the world they live and work in, and can choose from a wide range of career opportunities.

Teaching Quality The School is also an ideal place to study politics. In all successive National Student Surveys, our politics students have recorded an overall satisfaction of over 90 per cent. In the most recent survey, we were ranked top of the student satisfaction table in politics in Scotland and in the top ten for the UK.

Course Description and Structure The course is designed to enable students to develop their academic interest in the study of politics as well as gaining essential skills that will be of value in their future careers. The politics programme builds from a broad introduction in Year 1 to specialist study in Year 4 by providing crucial developmental stepping-stones along the way.

Teaching and AssessmentLectures are used to highlight key issues and debates which are then explored further through discussion in tutorials and online debates in the ‘Myplace’ virtual learning environment. Each class is assessed by a combination of coursework and an exam, designed to evaluate this understanding.

Please note that Semester 1 exams take place in January and Semester 2 exams in May/June; international and exchange students should ensure that they are present to attend relevant exams. If your home university timetable makes this impossible, please provide evidence of this to the international and exchange coordinator and alternative assessment arrangements will be put in place.

Career Opportunities The choice of a politics degree opens up an extensive range of career options. Politics graduates are employed in management, teaching, the media, sales and advertising, local government, further and higher education and social work. Employers are particularly interested in the high-level written and verbal skills of Politics graduates, and their ability to research and analyse information.

Courses in Politics are recognised in the training of Modern Studies teachers, and a Politics degree is also particularly appropriate for entry to the civil service. Students who specialise in research methods acquire social science research skills and expertise in the use of computers, while the study of institutions is an extremely good background for those entering government service or communications, e.g. journalism, television and advertising.

Knowledge of the political process is useful in an industrial or business career and the degree provides a route of entry into industrial and business traineeships. There is also a tradition of Strathclyde Politics graduates entering academic research careers in Britain, Europe and North America.


Semester One classes

Class Course Code

Level Strath Credits

ECTS

Philosophy: Logic And Argumentation L2104 1 20 10

Politics And International Relations 1a: Concepts

L2105 1 20 10

International Relations And Global Politics L2201 2 20 10

Political Philosophy L2235 2 20 10

Research Methods For Political Scientists L2305 3 20 10

Chinese Politics L2307 3 20 10

Local Politics L2311 3 20 10

War, Terrorism And Conflict L2312 3 20 10

Contemporary British Governance L2340 3 20 10

Semester Two classes

Class Course Code

Level Strath Credits

ECTS

Politics And International Relations 1b: Government And Governance

L2106 1 20 10

Comparative Politics L2204 2 20 10

Quantitative Methods In Social Research L2304 3 20 10

European Politics L2308 3 20 10

American Politics L2309 3 20 10

Scottish Politics L2310 3 20 10

Parliamentary Studies L2313 3 20 10


Semester One - Syllabus Descriptor

L2104: Philosophy, Logic and Argumentation

Class Coordinators: Professor Anthony McGann(Lecture: Days and times TBC; Tutorials: Days and times TBC)

This class teaches the logical analysis of arguments and basic critical reasoning skills. It introduces formal logic as well as applied reasoning.

Students will gain an understanding of:- Knowledge of basic principles of inference and ability to apply them- Introductory knowledge of formal logic and the formal analysis of arguments- Ability to analyze concrete arguments, using Toulmin or other terminology. Ability to distinguish warrant from evidence.- Ability to apply principles learnt in course to construct effective (and valid) arguments.

Format of TeachingAll students taking the course are required to attend the weekly, two lectures and the four one-hour tutorials

Recommended reading- Booth, W, G. Coulomb and J Williams. The Craft of Research. University of Chicago Press. - Hodges, W. Logic. Penguin.- Thomson, Ann. Critical Reasoning

AssessmentStudents will be required to submit one piece of coursework and take one exam for this class.

L2105: Politics and International Relations 1A

Class Coordinators: Dr Zac Greene, Professor Robert Thomson & Dr Narisong Huhe(Lecture: Days and times TBC; Tutorials: Days and times TBC)

Students taking this class are not expected to have any prior knowledge of the subject. This class provides an introduction to the study of politics, in particular how modern states around the world work and interact with each other. Concepts are ideas with which we capture the essence of political life. We will devote particular attention to concepts relevant to the systematic study of states in a globally connected world. We will cover a series of key concepts, ranging from the meaning of power, democracy and authoritarianism, to structures and institutions – including legislatures, elections and international organisations - that are essential to understanding how modern politics works.

An illustrative list of concepts covered in lectures includes:

What is Politics?What is power? What is the state?Evaluating arguments about politicsWhat is democracy?Authoritarian regimesPolitical ideologiesInstitutions and institutionalismConstitutions and constitutionalism


LegislaturesParliaments and PresidenciesElections and electoral systemsReferendumsBureaucraciesFederalismTheories of international politicsGlobalisationEuropean UnionInternational Organisations

L2235: Political Philosophy

Class Coordinator: Dr Anthony McGann(Lecture: Days and times TBC; Seminars: Days and times TBC)

This class examines some of the main concepts and theories of Politics by means of a study of select parts of the main texts of key political theorists of the modern era. The theorists studied include: Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Edmund Burke, Mary Wollstonecraft, Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill, Karl Marx and John Rawls. The concepts studies include: human nature, the state, political authority, political obligation, liberty, equality, justice, rights, law, property, democracy, political change, class and gender.

L2201: International Relations and Global Politics

Class Coordinators: Dr Richard Johnson and Dr Jun Koga(Lecture: Days and times TBC; Tutorials: Days and times TBC)

Aims of the ClassThe objective of this class is to introduce students to the academic study of International Relations (IR). The class begins by examining the basic concepts and historical contexts in order to give students a firm grounding in IR. The next part of the course delves into the major theories of IR, which will provide students with conceptual underpinnings into world affairs. The course then examines the structures and processes within IR, covering topics such as the changing nature of war, international security and international institutions.

Format of Teaching There are two lectures per week, plus a fortnightly tutorial for each student.

AssessmentThis class will be assessed by means of one 2500 word essay, counting towards one-third of the final mark, and one two-hour unseen examination, counting towards two-thirds of the final mark.

Indicative ReadingsKinsella, Russett, and Starr. (2012) World Politics: The Menu for Choice, 10th edition (Boston: Cengage Learning). The 9th edition is also appropriate for this course and is available used on Amazon.com (United States) from $ 0.01 if you want to pay for international shipping.

Other key texts include:Baylis, J. et al (eds.) (2011), The Globalization of World Politics, 5th edition (Oxford: Oxford University Press).

Frieden, J. et al, World Politics 2nd edition (2013) (London: W. W. Norton)


Haynes, J. et al (2011), World Politics (London: Pearson).

Heywood, A. (2011), Global Politics (London: Palgrave Macmillan).

Jackson, R. and Sorensen, G. (2010) Introduction to International Relations, 4th edition (Oxford: Oxford University Press).

Steans, J. et al (2010) Introduction to International Relations Theory: Perspectives and Themes, 3rd edition (London: Pearson/Longman).

L2305: Research Methods for Political Scientists

Class Coordinator: Dr Heinz Brandenburg, Dr Mark Shephard(Lecture: Days and times TBC; Seminars: Days and times TBC)

This class provides an introduction to quantitative and qualitative research methods in social science. From ontological traditions to the specific varieties of social research methods available, we consider advantages and disadvantages of approaches, measurement and scaling issues, literature reviews and the research process, data collection, data analysis and report writing. Although we cover a broad variety of data collection methods in the lectures, the practical sessions of this class focus on survey methodology as one of the assessed requirements of this class involves the construction, testing, and evaluation of a pilot survey.

Indicative ReadingSalkind (2010). Statistics for People Who (Think They) Hate Statistics, SPSS version, 4th ed. Sage.

De Vaus (2001). Surveys in Social Research, 5th ed. Routledge

Field (2009). Discovering Statistics Using SPSS, 3rd ed. Sage. Bryman (2008): Social Research Methods, 3rd ed. Oxford University Press.

L2308: European Politics

Class Coordinators: Dr Wolfgang Rüdig(Lecture: Days and times TBC; Seminars: Days and times TBC)

Aims of the ClassThe class provides a comprehensive overview of European politics, identifying the common characteristics of politics and government across the continent, but also the distinguishing features that make individual countries different. Part one examines the emergence and evolution of parties and party systems, focusing on the relationship between parties and society, ideological developments and modernisation processes. Particular attention is given to the emergence of ‘new politics’ and the rise of the far right. This part of the class concludes with an examination of the different types of electoral system employed in Europe, and the effects they have on politics. Part two focuses on government; the character of government at the centre, multilevel governance, and parliaments. The class combines thematic topics with studies of politics and government in particular countries - France, Germany, Italy, and the countries of eastern and central Europe.

Format of Teaching There are two lectures per week, plus a fortnightly tutorial.



Indicative ReadingGallagher, M., Laver, M. and Mair, P. (2011) Representative Government in Modern Europe, 5th ed. (Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill Higher Education).

Other key texts include:Heywood, P.M., Jones, E., Rhodes, M. and Sedelmeier, U. (eds.) (2006) Developments in European Politics (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan).

Hay, C. and Menon, A. (eds.)(2007) European Politics (Oxford: Oxford University Press).

Useful journals:European Journal of Political Research; European Political Science Review; Party Politics; West European Politics; Government and Opposition; Parliamentary Affairs; Comparative Politics; German Politics; Political Studies; Comparative Political Studies, Comparative European Politics; Journal of Legislative Studies; Electoral Studies. These journals are all available online.

L2310: Scottish Politics

Class Coordinator: Dr Neil McGarvey(Lecture: Days and times TBC; Tutorials: Days and times TBC)

Aims of the ClassThe class seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of Scottish politics contextualising it within UK, European and world politics, historical inheritance and contemporary Scottish society. It will examine the practice of Scotland’s governing institutions, the changing nature of democracy in Scotland, the impact of devolution on policy and broader governance as well as Scotland’s constitutional status. It will examine a range of questions – to what extent is contemporary practice informed by historical legacy? What role do Scottish political parties play? How does the constitutional structure influence politics? What explains electoral choice in Scotland? What role do governing institutions play? What explains Scottish public policy-making? The constitutional question – past and future?

Format of TeachingThere are two lectures per week, plus a fortnightly tutorial.


Indicative ReadingCairney, Paul. (2011) The Scottish Political System Since Devolution (Imprint Academic).

Cairney, P. and N. McGarvey (2013) Scottish Politics 2nd Ed. (Basingstoke: MacMillan).

Hassan, G. and E. Shaw (2012) The Strange Death of Labour in Scotland


(Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press)

Keating, Michael (2009) The Independence of Scotland (Oxford: Oxford University Press)

Students are also expected to keep abreast of Scottish politics current affairs via a quality daily newspaper and/or relevant online resources.

L2312: War, Terrorism and Conflict

Class Coordinator: Dr Richard Johnson(Lecture: Days and times TBC; Seminars: Days and times TBC)

Aims of the ClassThe end of the Cold War led to some claims being made about the ‘end of conflict’ and the ‘obsolescence of major war’. However, despite the collapse of the Soviet Union, war and conflict have proven themselves once again as adaptable, resilient and enduring as ever, taking the lives of millions of people, including more than two million children. This course looks at the multi-faceted and ever-changing nature of war, conflict and terrorism, in the context of the end of the Cold War and the September 11 terrorist attacks. It addresses debates within the sub-discipline of Strategic Studies (i.e. the study of the use of force) and International Relations more broadly, relevant to the causes of war, the conditions of peace and strategies for dealing with terrorism and conflict.

The class is taught over ten weeks, through a combination of twice-weekly lectures and fortnightly tutorials. After examining competing explanations regarding the causes of war, we will survey the history and characteristics of war and conflict. We will then discuss a range of strategies on how to prevent and how to manage conflict. Terrorism is examined both empirically and qualitatively in the second part of the class. The final part focuses on civil war.


AssessmentA written two hour examination at the end of the semester will count 60% towards the final assessment and one essay up to 2500 words in length will count 30%. Preparation and participation in tutorials will make up the final 10%.

Indicative ReadingNye, Joseph S, and David A Welch. 2013. Understanding Global Conflict and Cooperation: An Introduction to Theory and History. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson, Ch. 2. PDF on MyPlace.

Other key texts include:Baylis, J. et al. (eds). 2009. Strategy in the Contemporary World. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 3rd ed., Ch 1.

Bull, H. 1968. ‘Strategic Studies and Its Critics,’ World Politics, 20(4): 519-605.

Hobsbawm, E. 2002. ‘The Future of War and Peace’, Counterpunch, available at http://www.counterpunch.org/hobsbawm1.html

Kaysen, C. 1990. ‘Is War Obsolete: A Review Essay’ International Security, 14(4): 42-64.

Kaldor, M. 2005. ‘Old Wars, Cold Wars, New Wars, and the War on Terror’, International Politics, 42(4): 491-498.

http://www.counterpunch.org/hobsbawm1.html


Nye, J. S. and S. Lynn-Jones. 1988. ‘International Security Studies: A Report of a Conference on the State of the Field’, International Security, 12(4): 5-27.

Snyder, C. A. (ed). 2008. Contemporary Security and Strategy. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2nd ed., Chapters 1 & 7.

L2340: Contemporary British Governance

Class Coordinator: Professor John Curtice(Lecture: Days and times TBC; Tutorials: Days and times TBC)

Aims of the Class

The class aims to assess the changing nature of governance in the United Kingdom and the extent to which established models of representative democracy, centred upon parliamentary and executive institutions, have been challenged by new modes of public participation and citizen engagement. The analytical prism is ‘governance’: and the class seeks to explain how this term helps us to understand the nature and trajectory of institutional and political change in the UK in the 21st century.

The class is structured thematically and examines: (1) democracy and accountability in a complex system of governance (elections, parties, interest groups, public opinion and media); (2) governance at the centre (parliament, prime minister, cabinet, courts); (3) dispersed governance at the sub-national and supra-national levels (local government, devolved institutions, agencies and quangos, and the EU); and (4) adapting and coping (constitutional reform).

Format of Teaching

There are two one-hour lectures per week, plus a fortnightly tutorial for each student.

Assessment

This class will be assessed by means of one 2000 word essay, counting towards one-third of the final mark, and one two-hour unseen examination, counting towards two-thirds of the final mark.

Indicative Reading

Bogdanor, V. (2009) The New British Constitution, Hart Publishing: Oxford.

Bogdanor, V. (2011) The Coalition and the Constitution, Hart Publishing: Oxford.

Flinders, M. (2008) Delegated Governance and the British State: Walking Without Order, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Heffernan, R., Cowley, P. and Hay, C. (2011) Developments in British Politics Nine, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Lee, S. and Beech, M. (2010) The Conservatives Under David Cameron, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

McLean, I. (2012) What’s Wrong with the British Constitution? Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Moran, M. (2011) Politics and Governance in the UK, 2nd edition, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.


Semester Two - Syllabus Descriptor

L2106: Politics and International Relations 1B

Class Coordinators: Dr Gabriela Borz, Professor Anthony McGann, Professor Robert Thomson(Lecture: Days and times TBC; Tutorials: Days and times TBC)

This class provides an introduction to the actors, processes and outcomes that are key to modern government and governance. In doing so the class examines a range of actors relevant to understanding modern politics within and beyond states, ranging from political parties and interest groups, to those involved in social movements and alternative forms of political participation including revolutions and protests. It covers a range of political processes that take place within democratic and non-democratic states and beyond, including for instance the role of the media. Considerable attention is given to the impact of international processes on outcomes in contemporary politics. The class examines a range of outcomes that influence the lives of citizens, including the policies associated with modern welfare states and international trade agreements. The class builds on L2102 Politics: Concepts in which the main focus was on concepts and key institutions. This previous knowledge is used to develop a deeper understanding of political actors’ behaviour and the processes through which they influence outcomes.

An illustrative list covered in lectures includes:

Political partiesParty systemsInterest groupsSocial movementsPolitical participationPolitical cultureRegions and regionalismPolitical communication and the mediaPolicymakingGlobal policyGlobal securityWelfare statePolicy impactDemocracy promotion


L2204: Comparative Politics

Class Coordinators: Dr Gabriela Borz, Dr Jun Koga, Dr Mark Shepard(Lecture: Days and times TBC; Seminars: Days and times TBC)

This course focuses on key methodological and theoretical debates that underpin comparative politics. In particular it will introduce students to the main institutional, economic, social and cultural influences on the performance and stability of democracies and dictatorships across the world. The course starts with methods of comparison and the scientific method, will continue with topics such as understanding patterns and testing hypotheses in comparative politics, evaluating measures of democracy and dictatorship, the institutional, cultural and economic determinants of democracy and dictatorship. Other topics analysed in this course will be, among others, regime type and economic growth, transitions to democracy, varieties of democracy: consensus vs majoritarian democracies

L2307: Chinese Politics

Class Coordinators: Dr Narisong Huhe(Lecture: Days and times TBC; Tutorials: Days and times TBC)

Aims of the classThe class will provide a comprehensive overview of Chinese politics since 1949, contextualising it within the study of comparative politics, historical inheritance and contemporary Chinese society. It will give students grounding in the dynamic evolution of the Chinese state and Chinese nationalism, China’s self-identified problems of weakness and underdevelopment, and the difficult political choices faced by political elites. Furthermore, the course will analyse how the country’s Communist legacy offers both opportunities and constraints for the present politics of China. The case of Taiwan is also included as a comparison.

Format of TeachingThe class will be taught through two one-hour lectures per week as well as tutorials.The tutorials will cover material in small group discussions. Students will discuss given questions during each tutorial session. Preparation and active participation are required. For each tutorial session, please refer to the readings for that relevant lecture topic. It is envisaged that each student will give at least one presentation for the whole course.

Assessment and Examination Assessment for the class is a combination of essay and written examination. Essay One-ThirdExam Two-ThirdsEssays should be around 2500 words in length.

Readings

Basic Text: Tony Saich, Governance and Politics of China (Basingstoke, Hampshire; New York: Palgrave

Macmillan, 2011, 3rd ed).

Other Texts:Jack Gray, Rebellions and Revolutions: China from the 1800s to 2000 (Oxford: Oxford University

Press, 2003, 2nd ed)Dreyer, June Teufel, China's Political System: Modernization and Tradition (New York; Harlow:

Longman, 2010, 7th ed)


L2304: Quantitative Methods in Social Research

Class Coordinator: Dr Stratos Patrikios, Prof Tom Scotto(Lecture: Days and times TBC; Seminars: Days and times TBC)

Aims of the ClassThe aim of this course is to teach students a range of simple quantitative research methods. Learning these improves your job prospects and equips you better for study in Honours and beyond. It will also make you a more discerning consumer of the floods of statistics published by governments and in the media.

This course builds on the core class, Research Methods for Political Scientists. You should bring from that class an understanding of the following terms: ‘research question’, ‘dependent variable’, and ‘independent variables’. Those terms recur relentlessly in this course. The course does not presuppose a strong mathematical background. There will be some maths involved in the course, but most is straightforward, and that’s all you’ll need to achieve the key learning objectives of the course. The central concepts in the course are not numbers but dependent and independent variables, which tend to be everyday things like people’s opinions, their incomes, or their ages. The aim of this course is to understand the relationship between these everyday things. In short, students will not be disadvantaged by a limited maths background. Format of TeachingStudents have one two-hour session per week in a computer lab. AssessmentThere will be three assessments in this class that are designed to test knowledge, understanding and application of the statistical methods taught. There will be no examination. The first take-home assessment counts for 20% of the class mark, while the remaining two count for 40% each. The assessments will be based closely on the work in the teaching sessions. Indicative Reading Salkind, N. (2010): Statistics for People Who (Think They) Hate Statistics, SPSS version, 4th edn., Thousand Oaks: Sage. Other key texts include:Field, A. (2009): Discovering Statistics Using SPSS, 3rd edn., London: Sage.

De Vaus (2001). Surveys in Social Research, 5th ed. Routledge

Bryman (2008): Social Research Methods, 3rd ed. Oxford University Press.


L2309: American Politics

Class Coordinator: TBC (Lecture: Days and times TBC; Tutorials: Days and times TBC)

Aims of the ClassThis class introduces students to the basic concepts and theories relating to the study of political institutions, processes, behaviour, and policy in the United States. The class is divided into sections. In the first half of the class we examine ‘American exceptionalism,’ and its political culture. In the second we examine the institutions of the US political system, covering such topics as the constitution, federalism and the branches of the central government. In the next part of the class we discuss the US party system, political participation and mobilisation, individual voting behaviour, public opinion, nominations and elections, media, interest groups, and the question of where power really lies. The class will conclude with a survey of public policy in the United States, in several dimensions.



Indicative ReadingBrooks, S., Koopman, D.L. and Wilson, J.M. (2013) Understanding American Politics, 2nd ed. (Plymouth: UTP Press).

Peele, G., Bailey, C., Cain, B., and Peters, B.G., eds. (2010) Developments in American Politics, 6th ed. (Houndmills, Basingstoke: Palgrave)

Other key texts include:Leighley, Jan, ed. (2010) The Oxford Handbook of American Elections and Political Behavior. (Oxford: Oxford University Press)

Welch, S. et. al. (2008) Understanding American Government, 11th Edition (Cengage Learning, Florence, KY)

Maisel, L. S. and Brewer, M. D. (2008) Parties and Elections in America: The Electoral Process 5th ed. (Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield)

Vile, M. J. C (2007) Politics in the USA (London: Routledge)

McKeever, R. J. and Davies, P. (2006) Politics USA, 2nd ed. (Harlow: Pearson/Longman)

Grant, A. (2004) The American Political Process (London: Routledge)


L2311: Local Politics Class Coordinator: Dr Neil McGarvey(Lecture: Days and times TBC; Seminars: Days and times TBC)

Aims of the ClassThe main aim is to supply students with the intellectual tools with which to understand and assess local political phenomena. Combining theoretical perspectives with empirical evidence, students will be able to place local politics within a wider socio-political and economic context. The class starts with a discussion of the broad field of local politics and an exposition of various conceptual approaches advanced to understand power in localities within liberal democracies. The class looks at the issue of who holds power in local politics in the UK as well as examining changing managerial and democratic practice. It seeks to contextualise local politics within a wider socio-political context. It asks some fundamental questions about local politics. How is local democracy justified? Who holds power? What is the basis of that power? What is the role of citizens in localities today? What is the role of local governing institutions? How are local public services delivered? How is policy made and delivered?

Format of TeachingThere are two lectures per week, plus a fortnightly tutorial.


Indicative ReadingDavies, J.S. and D.L. Imbroscio (2008) Introduction: Urban Politics in the Twenty-first Century’ in J.S. Davies and D.L. Imbroscio (eds.) Theories of Urban Politics 2nd ed. (London: Sage).

Dunleavy, P. (1980) Urban Political Analysis (Basingstoke; MacMillan)

Gottdeiner, M. (1987) The Decline of Urban Politics (Newbury Park; Sage)

John, P. (2008) ‘Why Study Urban Politics?’ in J.S. Davies and D.L. Imbroscio (eds.) Theories of Urban Politics 2nd ed. (London: Sage).

Stewart, J. (2000) The Nature of British Local Government (Basingstoke: MacMillan). Chapters 1-5.

Stoker, G. (1998) ‘Theory and Urban Politics’ International Political Science Review 19(2): 119-129.

Stoker, G. (2004) Transforming Local Governance (Basingstoke: MacMillan). Chapter 1.

Wilson, D. and Game, C. (2011) Local Government in the United Kingdom (Basingstoke: Palgrave) Chapters 1 – 7.

Useful journals:The International Journal of Urban and Regional ResearchPublic AdministrationLocal Government Studies

Students are also expected to keep abreast of local political developments via a quality daily newspaper and/or relevant online resources.


L2313: Parliamentary Studies (Only 2 spaces available)

Class Coordinators: Dr Mark Shephard, Professor David Judge, Dr Neil McGarvey(Lecture: Days and times TBC; Seminars: Days and times TBC) Aims of the ClassParliaments are paradoxical political institutions: on the one hand they are deeply distrusted by the people they are supposed to represent; on the other they are deemed to be central to the legitimation of liberal democratic states and public policy outputs. Parliaments in the UK epitomise this paradox. Levels of public trust and confidence in the UK parliament are distinctly lower in the UK than in all but four of the relatively well-established parliamentary democracies in the EU. Indeed, these findings are taken as sufficient evidence of a ‘crisis of public confidence’ in the UK parliament. Offsetting such findings of little public confidence in the specific capacities of parliament, however, are consistent survey findings that report widespread support for the view that the UK parliament is essential to UK democracy. Thus the class aims to investigate this paradox by locating the study of parliaments within broader theories of representation and conceptions of diffuse support within the wider system of representative democracy. In a multi-level system of governance such as the UK the study of parliamentary institutions necessarily entails analysis of the Scottish parliament and the European parliament. Yet, sub-national and supra-national parliaments are positioned within the same ‘paradoxical space’ as state-level parliaments.

In examining the case that ‘parliaments matter’ the class provides a novel and path-breaking mode for studying not only why they matter but also how their practical operations both reflect and serve to address the paradoxes confronting them.

This class has House of Commons approval and is co-taught with staff from the UK Parliament, the Scottish Parliament and the European Parliament’s Edinburgh Office. It involves deliberative sessions with elected representatives as well as a member of the House of Lords. The class is also distinctive in its academic focus: it takes a specific type of political institution and then analyses that institution in a matrix of normative and empirical theories and comparative investigation.

Format of Teaching10 x 2 hour seminars (including 1 trip to the Scottish Parliament)

AssessmentThis class will be assessed by means of one 3000 word project, counting towards half of the final mark, and one two-hour unseen examination, counting towards half of the final mark.

Indicative ReadingCorbett, R., Jacobs, F. and Shackleton, M. (2011) The European Parliament, London: Harper.

Dorey, P. and Kelso, A. (2011) House of Lords Reform Since 1911, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Jeffrey, C. and Mitchell J. (2009) The Scottish Parliament 1999-2009, London: Hansard Society

Judge, D. (1993) The Parliamentary State, London: Sage.

Norton, P. (2013) Parliament in British Politics, 2nd edn., Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

web viewthe class provides a comprehensive overview of european politics, identifying the common...

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