GOODBYE LENIN: DEMOCRATISATION IN EASTERN EUROPE AND BEYOND - 2024/5

Module code: POL3092

Module Overview

The purpose of this module is to connect theories of democratisation with their application to specific regions, namely Central and Eastern Europe, but also beyond, looking at the post-Soviet space to understand the impact of EU Enlargement, demand and support for democracy in post-Communist Europe, and develop a wider knowledge of countries within this geographical space

Module provider

Politics & International Relations

Module Leader

GUERRA Simona (Politics IR)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 106

Seminar Hours: 22

Guided Learning: 11

Captured Content: 11

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

n/a

Module content

The module is seminar-driven in a blended format. The seminars will focus on communism and post-communism, its legacies, institutional, political and economic reforms, nationalist upsurges, the impact of EU conditionality on candidate countries and the Eastern neighbourhood, and democratic backsliding.

Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Coursework Portfolio 40
Coursework Research Report 60

Alternative Assessment

Non required

Assessment Strategy

One portfolio comprising: 1 concept/definition analysis (choice of three concepts) and 1 short answer to a research question (out of five) - 40%

A Research Report on a topic of own choice - 60%

Module aims

  • Explore Eastern Europe as an area relevant to democratisation theories
  • Understand the kind of democracy that emerged in post-communist Europe
  • Study areas outside the EU in a comparative way to the EU
  • Apply the comparative method in political science and international relations
  • Develop knowledge on democratisation and the demand/support for democracy
  • Think about sustainability of democracy in similar political systems

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 In-depth knowledge on current development in Central and Eastern Europe, the Western Balkans and post-communist countries K
002 Theoretical concepts that underpin the process of democratization and its challenges K
003 Display a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights in European politics, and beyond, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of the discipline K
004 Think about the connection between theory and empirical analysis in a reflective and critical way C
005 Gather, organize and deploy evidence, data and information from a variety of secondary and primary sources C
006 Construct reasoned argument, synthesise and analyse relevant information and evaluate critically current research in the discipline C
007 Reflect on their own learning and make use of constructive feedback C
008 Communicate effectively in speech and writing, using communication and information technology for the retrieval and presentation of information T
009 Work independently, demonstrating initiative, self-organisation and time management T
010 Collaborate with others to achieve common goals T
011 Oral communication skills, with seminar presentations, discussing political leaders and debates, using appropriate visual aids, and contributing to group and class discussions P
012 Written communication skills: Structuring and presenting arguments effectively in assessed essays and research project. P
013 Critical analysis: Critically analysing different theoretical approaches to explaining and identifying the key instances of contestation in a range of different geographical and historical setting, using evidence from different sources, and developing coherent and supported arguments. P
014 Teamwork and leadership skills, through role plays and presentations during the seminar exercise, working with at least three or four peers and submitting the written work within 25-30 minutes. P

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

A two-hour seminar, the remaining time is for independent study comprising guided reading and preparation associated with the seminar, student self-directed reading in the subject area of the module; preparation and production of assessed work.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: POL3092

Other information

n/a

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Public Affairs MPA 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Politics BSc (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Politics and Economics BSc (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
International Relations BSc (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Politics and Sociology BSc (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2024/5 academic year.