POL3146
Political Participation
Lecturer: Professor Jack Vowles
Email j.vowles@exeter.ac.uk
Class Location:
Amory 308 (semester 1)
Amory 316 (semester 2)
Time: Tuesdays 16.00-18.00
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, the module provides an introduction to the
international literature on political participation. Among other
things, it explores the nature of ‘social capital’, the
significance of political knowledge, the possible effects of
globalisation, generational differences in political participation, the
motives for ‘extreme’ forms of political participation such
as revolution and revolt, and the extent to which new forms of
political participation may have taken the place of the old.
Assignments
2 formative seminar papers, delivered as ‘work in progress’
for the two assessed analytical papers aligned to the topics listed in
the syllabus.
Assessment
Two analytical papers, up to 4500 words each, 50% each.
Essay One: due January 31 2008
Essay Two: due May 8 2008
More
Intended Learning Outcomes
Advice
Class Timetable
Basic Readings
Detailed Programme and Readings
Essay Questions
Further Readings
Download Module Syllabus in PDF