module specification

This module will provide students with an overview of the nature and functions of the modern state. This includes understanding its historical origins and evolution, but with a focus on its roles and responsibilities in the 21st century. It will examine how the modern state originated in Western Europe, but through political and economic processes (e.g., colonialism, globalisation) has since spread to become the dominant mode of political organisation in the world. Particular emphasis is placed on how forms of the state differ globally - from democratic to authoritarian - together with the impact this has on citizens in different parts of the world.

Its aims are to:

• Examine competing theories of the modern state.
• Evaluate the historical evolution of modern states.
• Compare and contrast the range of different types of state across the globe, from democracies to authoritarian states.
• Analyse the state in relation to contemporary 21st century issues, such as multiculturalism and citizenship, social welfare provision, and protest movements.
• Encourage confidence in the use of appropriate analytical, written and oral skills, to enhance students’ transferable skills and employability.

None.

Available to Study Abroad students.

The syllabus includes:

1. Theories of the modern state, inc. pluralist/elitist/Marxist models. (LO 1)

2. Typologies of modern states, inc. democratic, authoritarian, theocratic and ‘failed’ states. (LO 2)

3. Case studies, inc. liberal democracies and authoritarian states. (LO 2)

4. Employability enhancement – online research skills; writing a comparative report. (LO 3)

Teaching will comprise weekly lectures and seminars. Lectures incorporate a mixture of speaking, video presentations and use of IT. Seminars are centred on debates, group activities and multimedia resources.

Blended learning is encouraged in the classroom through the use of multimedia and internet resources. This is complemented outside the classroom by the use of a module website containing a range of materials designed to enhance students’ learning, including lecture notes, guides to improving essay writing and seminar skills, and resources such as links to relevant websites, online articles, videos and podcasts.

Reflective learning is encouraged through the use of self-reflection tasks accompanying seminar presentations and the written assignment.

Employability enhancement – developing transferable skills through a focus on online research skills, and writing and presenting a policy report, based on the topics of the module.

On successful completion of this module, you will have gained:

1. An understanding of competing theoretical and historical accounts of the modern state.

2. An appreciation of the different types of state that exist in the modern world – including liberal democracies, ‘semi’ or ‘quasi’ democracies, absolute monarchies, military dictatorships and theocracies.

3. A range of transferable employability skills, in oral, writing and research competencies.

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/1CFD286D-CD25-DC2A-155C-60CC06B86553.html

Useful Websites

• Corruption Perceptions Index - Transparency International (http://www.transparency.org/)

• Democracy Index - Economist (http://www.eiu.com/n/campaigns/democracy-index)

• Fragile States Index - Fund for Peace (https://fragilestatesindex.org/)

• Freedom in the World Index - Freedom House (https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world)

• Multiculturalism Policy Index - Queen's University (https://www.queensu.ca/mcp)

• OECD (http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/)

• IMF (http://www.imf.org/en/Research)

• United Nations (http://www.un.org/en/)

• World Bank (http://www.worldbank.org/en/research)