| CODE | IRL1082 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Political Studies | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | International Relations | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit introduces the students to the study of politics. It focuses on political theory, comparative politics, and the study of international relations, as the three components of political science. It covers key concept such as the state, legitimacy, law, freedom, and justice, and it analyzes electoral systems, democratic and authoritarian forms of governments. It will provide in depth case studies of authoritarian and democratic forms of government. Finally, it introduces international affairs as the study of peace and war in the 20th and 21st century. Study-unit Aims: The aim of this study-unit is to introduce students to politics as a science, and familiarize students with key concepts, analytical categories, and political tools in relationship to the state and states' relations to each other. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Explain how political structures influence individuals and groups; - Demonstrate academic knowledge of, and insights into at least two major social contract theories; - Demonstrate academic knowledge of electoral politics in different political settings; - Identify basic approaches and methodologies to the study of political science. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Locate, analyze and present (orally or in writing) data on comparative political systems and International Relations; - Apply IR theories to international affairs; - Use case studies to engage in academic argumentation; - Critically engage in contemporary political debates by drawing on academic ideas and literature. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Garner, Ferdinand, Lawson: Introduction to Politics. 3rd Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | James Sater |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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