166-212 West European Politics

Note

Available as 166-312 at 3rd-year level.

Availability

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Normally 25 points of first-year Politics; students with only 12.5 points in Politics may apply to the 2nd/3rd-year coordinator.

Contact

Subject Description

The subject introduces students to the study of the politics and society of selected West European countries. The examination of Great Britain, France, Italy and Germany consists of gaining an understanding of the political culture, political institutions, parties and special features of Germany, Great Britain, France and Italy. It examines the complex case of Northern Ireland and the prospects for peace. The subject takes as a theme the issue of the changing nation state in the European Union context and examines the changing notions of national politics in this context. A further theme is the role of nation and race in this context and the rise of racism in Western Europe. The course concludes with a brief overview of developments in European politics, into the 21st century.

Assessment

Essay work or equivalent totalling 5000 words.

Prescribed Texts

• M. Donald Hancock et al eds, Politics in Western Europe.