This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr George Ofosu CBG 3.04
Availability
This course is available on the BSc in International Social and Public Policy with Politics, BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, BSc in Politics, BSc in Politics and Economics, BSc in Politics and History, BSc in Politics and International Relations, BSc in Politics and Philosophy and BSc in Social Policy with Government. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit and to General Course students.
Pre-requisites
Students must have completed Introduction to Political Science (GV101).
Comfort with basic statistics as covered by Research Design in Political Science (GV249) or an equivalent course in research design or introductory statistics (such as ST102, ST107, ST108, GY140, SA201) is recommended but not required.
Course content
The extent to which electoral competition motivates elected officials to respond to the needs of citizens determines the quality of a democratic political system. This course examines the theoretical and practical challenges to how elections promote democratic responsiveness and accountability. The course will cover contemporary political science research on a series of topics. How do elections incentivize political responsiveness? How do politicians campaign and distribute state resources to win elections? Why do some voters support corrupt, underperforming politicians while others choose effective leaders? Why are some elections rigged while others are free and fair? Why do some elections spark violence while others are peaceful? Which interventions to promote the quality of democracy work? Readings will draw on empirical cases from many world regions, including Africa, Latin America, the post-Soviet countries, South Asia, and the historical United States. Students are expected to be active participants in this course, and will participate in several class debates and writing exercises.
Teaching
20 hours of seminars in the LT.
2-hour seminar each week. Each seminar will begin with a lecture, followed by a discussion and – in the latter half of the course – presentations by one or more students
Formative coursework
Students will be expected to produce 3 presentations in the LT.
The formative coursework involves three-class group presentations. The assignment will help students to connect empirical work in the field of electoral accountability to the theories introduced in the first part of the course.
Indicative reading
Assessment
Coursework (20%, 1000 words) in the LT.
Essay (80%, 2500 words) in the ST.
Essay outline (20%): students will produce an assessed essay outline in week 10 consisting of a research question, an overview of the argument, a draft structure and an indicative reading list. Feedback will be provided via email and/or individual sessions with students.
Final essay (2,500-word) (80%)
Key facts
Department: Government
Total students 2019/20: Unavailable
Average class size 2019/20: Unavailable
Capped 2019/20: No
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.