GV121-4-SP-CO:
Institutions of Democracy
2015/16
Government
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
15
05 April 2013
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
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This module is an introduction to the study of (political) institutions. Whenever political actors interact, they do so within the context of certain rules (e.g., voting under a specific electoral system). These "rules of the game", as Douglass North has defined institutions, structure the incentives and behavior of individual political and economic actors. In this module, we will first learn about political and economic interactions in the absence of institutions, and then about how the addition of institutions changes political and economic outcomes. We will also explore the differential effect of various institutions on political and economic behavior and ultimately outcomes. Finally, we will learn why institutions, despite oftentimes being an improvement on pure market outcomes, are ultimately only second-best solutions to collective action.
The module is divided into a one-hour lecture and a one-hour class (taught by graduate teaching assistants). We expect you to come prepared to lectures and classes. This means carefully reading the assigned material, thinking about what you have read, and being prepared to actively engage in in-class discussions. The quality of the module will depend in large part on how well prepared you are.
GV121 is a key module for the BA in Political Economics. It is open to all undergraduate students in the Department of Government and serves as a good complement to GV120 Politics and Economic Policies. It is also available as an outside option for students taking modules in other department.
No information available.
No information available.
No additional information available.
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Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Summary |
|
15% |
| Coursework |
Essay |
|
40% |
| Coursework |
GV121: REASSESSMENT ONLY |
|
|
| Practical |
Participation |
|
5% |
| Written Exam |
Test |
|
40% |
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
Jonathan Slapin plus Teaching Assistants
Jonathan Slapin email jslapin@essex.ac.uk
Becky Fray email rfray@essex.ac.uk
Yes
Yes
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
Government
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