GV383-6-SP-CO:
German Politics

The details
2021/22
Government
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Monday 17 January 2022
Friday 25 March 2022
15
17 September 2021

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

(none)

Module description

The aim of this module is to provide a profound understanding of contemporary German politics. For this purpose, the course will give a brief overview over Germany’s post-war political development. We will examine, in particular, the role of political culture and political institutions as determinants of successful democratization.

The course sheds light on general trends and developments that Germany shares with other countries, such as the increasing fluidity of electoral preferences, the fragmentation of the party system, and the increasing use of referenda. At the same time, the course outlines and discusses some of the more distinct features of the German case, such as its mixed-member proportional electoral system, patterns of coalition formation, and the role of the second chamber and the Constitutional Court as veto-players. Apart from that, the course highlights critical policy issues and current challenges including Germany’s role in the European Union as well as economic, environmental, and immigration policies.

Module aims

To provide students with a thorough knowledge and understanding of German Politics

Module learning outcomes

At the end of this module, students should understand:

• contemporary German politics
• Germany’s political culture and institutions
• the importance of specific policies in Germany
• the current challenges the country is facing

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

1x2 hour seminar each week

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Essay 1    50% 
Coursework   Essay 2    50% 

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

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Daniele Saracino, email: daniele.saracino@essex.ac.uk.
Module Supervisor: Dr Saracino, daniele.saracino@essex.ac.uk Module Administrator: Edmund Walker, govquery@essex.ac.uk

 

Availability
Yes
Yes
No

External examiner

Dr Edward Morgan-Jones
University of Kent
Reader in Comparative Politics
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 1487 hours, 30 (2%) hours available to students:
1457 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).

 

Further information
Government

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