POL30570 New Democracy: Principles and Institutions

Academic Year 2019/2020

What is the shape of a legitimate democracy? In attempting to answer this question, the course will focus on the theory and practice of modern democracy, with an emphasis on institutional design. The first part of the course will serve as an introduction to contemporary democratic theory, focusing on the four major paradigms: competitive democracy, participatory democracy, deliberative democracy and republican democracy. The second part of the course will explore some of the institutional arrangements that are supported by these theoretical frameworks. In particular, we will explore both the normative and empirical credentials of direct democratic institutions, lottery-based institutions (like citizens assemblies), participatory budgeting and e-democracy. These “democratic innovations” will be investigated as potential supplements to, or in some cases replacements of, more familiar electoral institutions.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module you will:
- have a good understanding of contrasting perspectives on the meaning and purpose of democracy and how democratic principles can be translated into political institutions
- have developed your ability to read and analyse both abstract and applied philosophical texts;
- have developed your skills in written and oral argument; and
- improve on your ability to write a well-structured extended essay in political theory

Indicative Module Content:

Competitive democracy
Participatory democracy
Deliberative democracy
Republican democracy
Direct democracy
Citizens assemblies
Participatory budgeting
E-democracy

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22
Autonomous Student Learning

100
Total

122
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Group work
Critical writing
Oral presentation 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

You will benefit from having taken POL20010 Individuals and the State and/or POL30580 The Concept of Representation. However, neither are essential for successful completion of this course.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: 2,500-3,000 word essay Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

60
Continuous Assessment: 600-word response paper Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

20
Continuous Assessment: Active Participation
 Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

20

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Course participants will receive feedback on their response paper from both the lecturer and their working group. This feedback should be taken into account when developing the argumentative strategy of the final essay.

Name Role
Mr Isaac Bennett Tutor
Michael Coleman Tutor
Paul Turner Tutor