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PI5532: CAMPAIGNS, ACTIVISM AND POLITICAL PARTIES (2022-2023)

Last modified: 31 Jul 2023 11:19


Course Overview

This course explores the role of political parties as a channel of political activism and linkage from the general public to the policy making process. It will examine direct forms of activism and influence-making through political parties, primarily party membership. In addition, however, less conventional forms of activism and influence-making via parties will be explored. These can involve populist parties, and take non-conventional forms such as blockades, burning of books, etc.

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Term Second Term Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Anders Widfeldt

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Master Of Science In Political Activism And Campaigning

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

  • PI5032 Campaigns, Activism and Political Parties (Passed)

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

In this course students will explore and analyse the changing role of political parties in political activism, campaigning and their role in providing a linkage between the general public to actual policy making decisions.

The course is divided into two main parts.

In the first part of the course traditional party organisations, membership and activism will be studied in detail. A key aim in this context is to examine the extent to which activism via conventional party organisations is becoming a thing of the past. Will traditional political parties be able to adapt to a drastically changing social and political environment, or are they in the process of becoming completely outdated, and replaced by new forms of activism, communication and attempts to influence the policy-making process? To what extent do democratic processes within the organisations of traditional political parties impact on eventual policy decisions? This part of the course will to a significant extent draw on literature and research on parties and party organisations.

The second part of the course will examine new forms of political parties and the way in which they provide different and innovative channels of activism. Examples of such alternative parties include environmental, feminist and various forms of populist parties, which from varying points of departure have emerged as alternatives to traditional and conventional parties. Such alternative, at times even insurgent, parties often engage in unconventional forms of activism, on occasion challenging prevailing conventions of acceptable democratic discourse and behaviour. This part of the course will be investigating the extent to which new kinds of party can provide an outlet for political activism and expressions of protest, and directly or indirectly make an impact on policy decisions.

Combined, these two parts of the course will provide deepened understanding of the changing role of political parties as providers of linkage between civil society and the state.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Written feedback provided online.

Word Count 2000
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseAnalyse the changing role and relevance of traditional party organisations to the policy making and broader, democratic processes in a changing political and societal environment.
FactualUnderstandUnderstand and assess the impact on democracy and policy making exerted by new and unconventional types of political parties.

Blog Post

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Written feedback provided online.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralEvaluateEvaluate the extent to which new political ideas, demands and expressions of protests can be challenged via political parties, or via other types of political organisation.
ReflectionCreateApply the factual and conceptual knowledge and skills attained in the course to the formulation of creative ideas about citizen involvement in the democratic process.

Project Report/Dissertation

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 50
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Critical report, written as a consultancy paper, evaluating an actual election or other political campaign. Written feedback provided online.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseAnalyse the changing role and relevance of traditional party organisations to the policy making and broader, democratic processes in a changing political and societal environment.
ProceduralApplyObtain a deeper understanding of participatory democracy and the role of political activism in influencing the policy making process.
ProceduralEvaluateEvaluate the extent to which new political ideas, demands and expressions of protests can be challenged via political parties, or via other types of political organisation.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Resubmission of failed elements

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Resubmission of failed elements.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseAnalyse the changing role and relevance of traditional party organisations to the policy making and broader, democratic processes in a changing political and societal environment.
FactualUnderstandUnderstand and assess the impact on democracy and policy making exerted by new and unconventional types of political parties.
ProceduralEvaluateEvaluate the extent to which new political ideas, demands and expressions of protests can be challenged via political parties, or via other types of political organisation.
ReflectionCreateApply the factual and conceptual knowledge and skills attained in the course to the formulation of creative ideas about citizen involvement in the democratic process.
ProceduralApplyObtain a deeper understanding of participatory democracy and the role of political activism in influencing the policy making process.

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