Department of European Studies & Modern Languages, Unit Catalogue 2006/07

EU20416 Totalitarian politics

Credits: 6

Level: Intermediate

Semester: 2

Assessment: EX80OT20

Requisites:

Aims: To further students' knowledge of comparative politics and history by examining 20th century European non-democratic movements and regimes, with particular attention being paid to the relevance of the concept of 'totalitarianism' to communist and fascist regimes.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the unit students should be able to demonstrate:
* an understanding of the main theories of the rise, nature and failure of non-democratic regimes;
* familiarity with debates about whether non-democratic politics, particularly communism and fascism, could revive;
* an ability to work in teams to make a seminar presentation;
* an ability to synthesize diverse empirical and theoretical material in order to write and essay.
Skills:
Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, teamwork and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are taught and assessed in this unit. Skills in effective learning are developed in this unit.
Content:
The concepts of authoritarianism and totalitarianism; the role of ideas and ideology in the genesis of European non-democratic movements and regimes; state and leadership in non-democratic regimes; violence, coercion and support; the collapse of non-democratic regimes.

University | Catalogues for 2006/07