Prerequisites for Module
None in addition to SCQF 9 entry requirement or equivalent.
Corequisite Modules
None.
Precluded Modules
None.
Aims of Module
This module will provide students with a basic survey of the political science literature on political participation and explore its contemporary significance in political debate.
Learning Outcomes for Module
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:
| 1. |
Recognise and discuss the importance of political participation to democratic practice.
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| 2. |
Identify and classify various types of political participation.
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| 3. |
Evaluate the competing explanations provided for political participation.
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| 4. |
Discuss and evaluate the challenges facing UK, EU and International pressure groups from global politics.
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| 5. |
Identify and discuss the activities of national, European and international pressure groups in relation to political participation.
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Indicative Module Content
Forms of Political Participation; Political Participation and Democracy; International Evidence of Political Participation; What are Pressure Groups? (labelling); The Role and Function of Pressure Groups (internal and external roles); UK Pressure Groups (size, scope and development); Pressure Groups in the EU; Global/International Pressure Groups; Pressure Groups and Reviving Democracy?; Promoting 'Responsible' Political Participation
Indicative Student Workload
Contact Hours
| Full Time | Lectures
| 24 | Tutorials/Seminars
| 6 |
Directed Study
| | Directed Study
| 45 |
Private Study
| | Private Study
| 75 |
| Mode of Delivery
This is a lecture based course. It is supplemented by tutorials/seminars in which students will be asked to make group presentations. A range of case studies covering various forms of political participation and recent issues will be used to ground abstract concepts.
Assessment Plan
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Learning Outcomes Assessed
| | Component 1 | 1,3,5
| | Component 2 | 1,2,3,4,5
| | Component 3 | 2,4
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Component 2 will be assessed by an examination (50% weighting)
Class Participation (20% weighting)
Component 1 will be assessed by a coursework (30% weighting)
Indicative Bibliography
| 1. | STOKER, G., 2016. Why politics matters: Making democracy work (2nd Ed.) London: Palgrave.
| | 2. | QVORTRUP, M., 2007. The politics of participation: from Athens to e-democracy. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
| | 3. | MAIR, P., 2013. Ruling the void: The hollowing of western democracy. London: Verso.
| | 4. | NORRIS, P., 2011. Democratic deficit: critical citizens revisited. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
| | 5. | WATTS, D., 2007. Pressure Groups. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
| | 6. | GRANT, W., 1999. Pressure groups and British politics. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
| | 7. | JORDAN, A.G., 2007. Democracy and interest groups: enhancing participation. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
| | 8. | GREENWOOD, J., 2003. Interest representation in the European Union. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
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