Admission requirements
This course is only available for students in the BA International Studies who have succesfully completed the second year elective course.
The number of participants is limited to 25.
Description
Scholarly literature on comparative politics has traditionally focused on democracy and democratization. The high hopes at the end of the 20th century of a ‘third wave of democratization’ which would bring about the universalization of liberal democracy did not materialize however. Non-democratic regimes remain widespread in various forms around the world – from Belarus to Zimbabwe, Cuba to North Korea. Recent protest movements – from the post-Soviet Colour Revolutions to the Arab Spring – have not inevitably resulted in democratization. There are growing concerns that in some regions the advance of democracy has actually started to be rolled back. What is the nature of non-democratic regimes in the 21st century?
This course gives students the opportunity to engage with a rapidly expanding, cutting-edge field of research. Topics that will be covered will include categorising contemporary non-democratic regime types; identifying methods of authoritarian consolidation and regime survival in the 21st century; and the challenges facing political and civic opposition to non-democratic regimes. Students will have the opportunity to explore these concepts and debates in the context of their own research interests.
Course objectives
The elective courses for International Studies are designed to teach students how to deal with state-of-the-art literature and research questions. They are chosen to enhance the students’ learning experience by building on the interdisciplinary perspectives they have developed so far, and to introduce them to the art of academic research. They are characterised by an international or comparative approach.
Academic skills that are trained include:
Oral presentation skills:
1. to explain clear and substantiated research results;
2. to provide an answer to questions concerning (a subject) in the field covered by the course
a. in the form of a clear and well-structured oral presentation;
b. in agreement with the appropriate disciplinary criteria;
c. using up-to-date presentation techniques;
d. aimed at a specific audience;
3. to actively participate in a discussion following the presentation.
Collaboration skills:
1. to be socio-communicative in collaborative situations;
2. to provide and receive constructive criticism, and incorporate justified criticism by revising one’s own position;
3. adhere to agreed schedules and priorities.
Basic research skills, including heuristic skills:
1. to collect and select academic literature using traditional and digital methods and techniques;
2. to analyze and assess this literature with regard to quality and reliability;
3. to formulate on this basis a sound research question;
4. to design under supervision a research plan of limited scope, and implement it using the methods and techniques that are appropriate within the discipline involved;
5. to formulate a substantiated conclusion.
Written presentation skills:
1. to explain clear and substantiated research results;
2. to provide an answer to questions concerning (a subject) in the field covered by the course
a. in the form of a clear and well-structured written presentation;
b. in agreement with the appropriate disciplinary criteria;
c. using relevant illustration or multimedia techniques;
d. aimed at a specific audience.
Timetable
The timetable is available on the BA International Studies website
Mode of instruction
Seminars and supervised research.
Course Load
Total course load for the course: 10 EC x 28 hours= 280 hours, broken down by:
Hours spent on attending lectures and seminars: 24 hours
Time for studying the compulsory literature and preparing for assignments in class: 96 hours
Researching and writing final paper: 160 hours
Assessment method
Assessment
Participation: attendance, contribution in group exercises, engagement in seminar disucssions
Task-based group exercises: four tasks in classes during the semester built around problem-based learning to demonstrate understanding of material and develop transferable skills
Final research paper: 5000 words (excluding tables and bibliography) on a topic chosen by student with approval of lecturer based on an aspect of the course
Weighing
The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average
Participation 10%
Task-based group exercises 40%
Final research paper 50 %
To complete the final mark, please take notice of the following: the final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average.
To pass the course, the weighted average has to be 5.5 at least.
Resit
In case of resubmission of the final essay (insufficient grade only) the final grade for the essay will be lowered as a consequence of the longer process of completion. The deadline for resubmission is 10 days after receiving the grade for the final essay.
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used. For tutorial groups: please enroll in blackboard after your enrolment in uSis
Students are requested to register on Blackboard for this course.
Reading list
Journal articles, book chapters and appropriate online material will be made available through Blackboard at the start of the course. Students will also identify their own sources during the semester, depending on their research interests.
Registration
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available in English and Dutch
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Not applicable
Contact
Remarks
The deadline for submission of the final essay is 9 June 2017.