IR3007 Democracy & Democratisation

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Tues 10am

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr H A C Marshall

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Holly Marshall

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module introduces you to some of the major debates concerning democratic theory and democratisation. The first part of the module looks at some of the key arguments and variations surrounding the concept and understanding of democracy, from conventional presentations of liberal democratic theorists to critical responses offered by Marxists, feminists and participatory democrats. Through this it is expected students gain an appreciation of the varieties of democratic thought, a knowledge of the key concepts and debates in the field. The central part of the module focuses on the ‘third wave’ of democratisation. By supplementing theory with detailed case studies on key events such as Latin America’s Pink Tide, the Arab Spring and Solidarity in Europe, it aims to help students to exchange ideas, consider possible theoretical explanations and think productively about concrete experiences.  By the end of the module students should have developed a critical understanding of some of the most relevant issues surrounding democratisation: whether democratic development requires certain social, economic or cultural preconditions; the role of civil society and elites in bringing about democratic change; the importance of institutional design in new democracies; the relationship between democracy and economic development; and whether there is a third reverse wave of democratic recessions and breakdowns.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS IR2006

Assessment pattern

Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

Written Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 Lecture X 11 Weeks, 2 Tutorials X 11 weeks, 2 Office Hours X 11 weeks

Scheduled learning hours

33

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

265

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • By the end of this module the diligent student should have acquired a clear grasp of the major arguments surrounding the concept of democracy
  • By the end of this module the diligent student should have acquired an understanding an understanding of some of the key issues raised by the "third wave"
  • By the end of this module the diligent student should have developed or strengthened their capacity to present these discussions in an articulate fashion during seminars, and with a high degree of analytical precision in written work