POLS210-18S2 (C) Semester Two 2018

Democratic Uprisings and Political Participation

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 16 July 2018
End Date: Sunday, 18 November 2018
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Friday, 27 July 2018
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Friday, 12 October 2018

Description

This course examines democratic uprisings, with a primary focus on people power uprisings in Southeast Asia and on the recent uprisings in the Middle East, popularly known as the "Arab Spring". It examines the causes of uprisings, the factors that lead to success or failure, and the role of both traditional and social media in the uprisings. It considers when newly created democracies are most likely to succeed and when they are likely to fail. Finally it considers the collapse of newly democratic governments and the rise of large insurgencies in the Middle East. What is ISIS/ISIL/IS/Islamic State? Where did it come from? What does it mean for the future of politics in the Middle East and for the global community?

With democracy increasingly coming under attack around the world, this course examines democratic uprisings, with a primary focus on people's power uprisings in Southeast Asia and the "Arab Spring" uprisings in the Middle East. It examines the causes of uprisings, the factors that lead to success or failure, and the role of both traditional and social media in the uprisings. It considers when newly created democracies are most likely to succeed and when they are likely to fail. Last, we consider the threats to contemporary democracies, particularly new democracies, but also with some reflection on more established democracies like our own.

Learning Outcomes

  • By the end of the course, students are expected to
  • gain an understanding of relevant tools and theories in comparative politics
  • familiarize themselves with theories related to democratization and political participation
  • apply concepts and theories learned in the course
  • identify major issues and current debates on democratization in Southeast Asia and the Middle East
  • develop an understanding of the cultural context and norms relevant to democracy and participation
  • develop an understanding of the impact of globalisation and global norms on democratisation
  • further develop their ability in communicating ideas cogently and forming reasoned arguments
  • evaluate and use appropriate evidence
  • develop their ability in doing research independently and writing logically and coherently

Prerequisites

15 points in POLS at 100-level. Students not meeting the prerequisites but with at least a B average in 60 points in appropriate courses may be admitted to take Political Science and International Relations courses at the 200-level with the approval of the Department coordinator.

Course Coordinator

James Ockey

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Final Exam 35%
Midterm Test 16 Aug 2018 30%
Research Paper 30 Sep 2018 35% 2000 words

Textbooks / Resources

Required readings will be made available on Learn (most books) or through the library (some books, most journal articles).  Some readings will be discussed in class and you are expected to keep up with assigned readings.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $746.00

International fee $3,038.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Language, Social and Political Sciences .

All POLS210 Occurrences

  • POLS210-18S2 (C) Semester Two 2018