Essay (2200 words)

2 - Written assignment (including essay) - 75

Essay plan (800 words)

1 - Written assignment (including essay) - 25

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This module offers an introduction to the central approaches and methods in comparative politics. These approaches provide distinct ways of studying and understanding political systems, institutions, and behaviours, while drawing on shared analytical tools and frameworks. By engaging with these perspectives, students will explore how political phenomena can be compared and analyzed across diverse contexts. By the end of the module, students will gain a strong foundation in the methods and approaches of comparative politics and their application to understanding political developments and outcomes in different countries. Content will cover themes and theories such as the comparative method, structuralism, rational choice theory, political culture, behaviouralism, institutionalism, and critical approaches.

Feedback is provided in a number of ways throughout your module. This includes feedback you receive during teaching from both peers and lecturers and that provided for formative assessment. Following an assessment, you will be given your marks and feedback in line with the assessment regulations and policy. More information on the timing and type of feedback that will be provided for each assessment will be available from the module leader. <a href='https://www.citystgeorges.ac.uk/about/governance/policies/student-policies-and-regulations'>https://www.citystgeorges.ac.uk/about/governance/policies/student-policies-and-regulations</a>

This module will support the development of all the graduate attributes. Your module leader will provide you with information about how your learning, teaching and assessment activities support your development of these attributes. The graduate attributes are: - Always learning - Engaged in the world - Technical and digital - Connected Professional - Creating Impact

Self-directed - 

In-Person - 

Case Studies in Comparative Politics

Comparative Politics

Issues and methods in comparative politics: an introduction

Principles of Comparative Politics

Comparative government and politics: an introduction.

Oxford Handbook of Comparative Politics.

Essentials of comparative politics

Social Science Methodology: A Critical Framework. 

Comparative Politics Today: a Worldview

IP1031 - Approaches in Comparative Politics

IP1031-PRD2-PER-ALV1

Acquisition of knowledge and understanding is promoted through a combination of lectures and interactive sessions (seminars/tutorials) with a strong emphasis on your personal contribution, including if appropriate in the form of student presentations, class exercises, simulations/role plays. This learning process is supported by the use of a wide range of information sources, from books and journal articles to online sources, official documents and audio-visual sources of information. Time will also be set aside (weekly) to answer questions you may have from the readings. You are expected to undertake extensive reading and independent study in order to: (1) understand the topics covered in the course; (2) broaden and deepen your knowledge of the subject; (3) participate actively in the class discussions. You will receive feedback on your coursework to encourage you to reflect on what you have produced and how you can improve.

Approaches in Comparative Politics

Show respect and engage with those who do not necessarily share your own political values.

Values and attitudes

Demonstrate knowledge of key approaches in comparative politics, such as structuralism, institutionalism, rationalism, behaviouralism and critical perspectives, and evaluate their respective strengths and limitations in analysing political phenomena.

Knowledge

Reflect on and manage effectively your own learning and make use of constructive feedback.

Identify the principles of comparative analysis, such as the use of case studies, most-similar and most-different systems designs, and criteria for comparing political institutions, regimes, and behaviours across different contexts.

Strengthen problem-solving skills by applying different methods and approaches to diverse political contexts and challenges.

Skills

Build research skills by identifying relevant sources, engaging with academic literature, and synthesizing information from multiple perspectives.

Produce written materials that indicate in a precise and honest manner what your own work is and what is attributable to others. 

Explain how specific approaches can be used to analyse political phenomena, such as revolutions, democracy, policy-making processes, and electoral behaviour, in different countries or regions.

Enhance critical thinking by evaluating evidence, questioning assumptions, and identifying strengths and limitations in different arguments and approaches.

Apply the comparative politics toolkit to understand and address contemporary political challenges. 

Communicate ideas clearly and effectively, both in writing and orally.

Understand how the use of comparison helps to identify causal relationships, patterns, and differences between political systems and contributes to broader debates in political science.