GV313-6-AU-CO:
Authoritarianism
2023/24
Government
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
15
04 May 2023
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
This module is designed to examine one of the biggest challenges to democracy in the contemporary world: authoritarianism.
First we will discuss what authoritarianism is and what the most common varieties of authoritarian regimes are.
Then we will go over the factors that drive politics in dictatorships and examine how these institutions can help explain the observed variation in autocratic
government performance.
Last, we will look at the logic of autocratic regime survival and conditions under which democratic transitions are more likely to occur.
The module aims to introduce students to authoritarianism as a regime type and help them gain an understanding of what this regime type is, what the various types of authoritarian regimes are, how domestic politics operate in authoritarian countries, and what influences the survival and stability of authoritarian regimes.
The module is meant to encourage students to think on their own, while ensuring that their thoughts are coherent and logically sound. At the end of the module, students should be able to articulate cogent answers to questions such as: What explains government performance, or lack thereof, in dictatorships? Why do nondemocratic rulers govern with democratic institutions, such as legislatures and political parties?
No additional information available.
The module will be delivered via:
Weekly two-hour seminar
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
In class test 2 |
|
20% |
| Coursework |
In class test 3 |
|
20% |
| Coursework |
Essay |
27/11/2023 |
40% |
| Coursework |
In class test 1 |
11/12/2023 |
20% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Yes
Yes
No
Dr Edward Morgan-Jones
University of Kent
Reader in Comparative Politics
Available via Moodle
Of 16 hours, 16 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
Government
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