POL3146
Political Participation
Duration of Module: 2 Semesters
Total Student Study time: 300 hours, including 20 x 2 hour seminars
Aims
In many of the longest-established democracies, voter turnout and party
membership are in decline, particularly among the young. Many people
distrust and disdain politicians and the political process in general.
With a focus on seeking explanations for such current problems of
representative democracy, and investigating alternative forms of
participation, the module provides an introduction to the international
literature on political participation. Where appropriate, there is a
focus on the British case. Among other things, this module explores the
nature of ‘social capital’, the significance of political
knowledge, generational differences in political participation, the
motives for ‘extreme’ forms of political participation such
as revolution and revolt, experiments in deliberative democracy, and
the extent to which new forms of political participation may have taken
the place of the old.
Assignments
2 summative seminar presentations, and 2 summative essays of 4500 words
each. Both will be aligned to the topics listed in the syllabus, and
seminars will normally be on the same topics as the essays, as a
‘work in progress’. If they wish, students can hand in an
essay on a different top[c than that of the seminar, but this is not
advised.
Assessment
Two work in progress presentations within seminars, 5%. You will be
assessed on the best of the two.
Seminar preparation, 5%. You are expected to read the basic readings
assigned for each class. Every student will need to be prepared to
comment on a seminar presentation at any seminar, contribute to debate,
and ask an informed question. Performance of this requirement will be
worth 5%.
Two analytical papers, 4500 words each, 40% each. These must be handed
in to the School Office by 4 pm on the day designated, and also
uploaded to ‘turninin’, through Web-CT to the same
deadline. Papers not uploaded into turnitin will not be assessed.
THIS MODULE HAS AN ELEMENT OF THE OVERALL MARK BASED ON
ATTENDANCE (10% of overall module mark).
You are expected to attend all seminars. A scale will be applied in the
following manner for attendance:
Attending at least 15 Seminars 10%
Attending 14 Seminars 9%
Attending 13 seminars 8%
Attending 12 seminars 7%
Attending 11 seminars 6%
Attending 10 seminars 5%
Attending less than 10 seminars 0%
All absences that are legitimate and supported by a Doctor’s
certificate or are part of on-going mitigation will be taken into
consideration. Attendance will be monitored by a weekly Sign-In sheet
at the seminar, cross referenced against your initial sign in signature
taken on module sign up.
ALL ASSESSED WORK MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE AND MUST BE
THERE BY 4.OO PM ON THE STATED DAY OR THE COMPUTER DOES NOT ACCEPT IT
Essay Writing Guide: You can find lots of advice relating to essay
writing at: http://www.huss.ex.ac.uk/politics/undergrad/polEssayWriting.pdf
http://www.services.ex.ac.uk/cas/employability/askills/essay/index.htm
You can also find other useful advice related to general study skills
at: http://www.services.ex.ac.uk/edu/student-learning-skills/resources.shtml
The School Undergraduate Handbook may also be a useful source of
further advice at:
http://huss.exeter.ac.uk/studentUG/handbook/
More
Advice
Class Timetable
Detailed Programme and Readings
Essay Questions
Further Readings
Download
Module Syllabus in PDF