Module Title |
Introduction to Politics
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Module Code |
LG116
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School |
School of Law & Government
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Online Module Resources
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Module Co-ordinator | Dr Eoin O'Malley | Office Number | C233 |
Level |
1
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Credit Rating |
5
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Pre-requisite |
None
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Co-requisite |
None
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Module Aims
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The module will introduce you to what politics is, why it is important, and to the major areas of study in politics. These include the preferences and their sources, and the institutions that mediate these preferences. This introduction is general and generalisable. Rather than focusing on learning off details about specific institutions, we will focus on theories that help us understand political interaction.
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Learning Outcomes
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This course will give students the skills to analyse situations of conflict more clearly, based on the knowledge and ideas of the writings of thinkers over millennia. Students will understand how institutions work to mediate the cleavage structures of society and the preferences of individuals into public policy outcomes. Students should also be able to apply theories to any situation of interests conflicting, regardless of the forum.
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Indicative Time Allowances
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Hours
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Lectures |
24
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Tutorials |
0
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Laboratories |
0
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Seminars |
0
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Independent Learning Time |
51
|
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Total |
75
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Placements |
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Assignments |
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NOTE
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Assume that a 5 credit module load represents approximately 75 hours' work, which includes all teaching, in-course assignments, laboratory work or other specialised training and an estimated private learning time associated with the module.
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Indicative Syllabus
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What is politics? Power and agreement
The need for politics: collective problems and the state
Opinions and preferences at a societal and individual level
The effect of Political institutions and other solutions to political problems
Looking at public policy outputs and how they came about
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Assessment | Continuous Assessment | 30% | Examination Weight | 70% |
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Indicative Reading List
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The core text for this course is Heywood, Andrew. 2002. Politics 2nd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave
Other readings will be provided in the syllabus and throughout the course
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Programme or List of Programmes
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BSSA | Study Abroad (DCU Business School) |
BSSAO | Study Abroad (DCU Business School) |
CA | BSc in Computer Applications |
ECSA | Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing) |
ECSAO | Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing) |
EPL | BA in Economics, Politics & Law |
HMSA | Study Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science) |
HMSAO | Study Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science) |
IFCIR | Int Foundation Cert (Int Relations) |
IR | BA in International Relations |
JR | BA in Journalism |
SHSA | Study Abroad (Science & Health) |
SHSAO | Study Abroad (Science & Health) |
Archives: | |