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Course Description
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Course Name
Democracy & Active Citizenship
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Host University
Maynooth University
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Location
Dublin, Ireland
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Area of Study
Political Science
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Language Level
Taught In English
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Course Level Recommendations
Lower
ISA offers course level recommendations in an effort to facilitate the determination of course levels by credential evaluators.We advice each institution to have their own credentials evaluator make the final decision regrading course levels.
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ECTS Credits
5 -
Recommended U.S. Semester Credits2
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Recommended U.S. Quarter Units3
Hours & Credits
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Overview
This module gives students an introduction to some of the key theories and experiences of the concept of democracy, from its earliest days to the present and across a range of different societies and institutions. The module discusses both the classical (participatory) theory of democracy and the elite (representative) theory. This module also introduces the concept of active citizenship - the ways in which ordinary people take part in politics, often in opposition to the official structures - and so to the issues which arise when these two forms of officially representative democracy and unofficial popular participation can find themselves theoretically and practically in conflict.
Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of the module, students should be able to:
-Detail and Evaluate the main theories of democracy and citizenship in historical and comparative context
-Critically assess the contribution of social scientific analysis to an understanding of tensions which may exist in the practice of democracy and the articulation of active citizenship
-Evaluate the empirical trends and patterns identified by social scientists exploring issues such as: changing forms of democracy; meanings of active citizenship; popular citizen based advovacy and protest; electoral systems, political party formation, voting patterns.
-Develop and independent and critical perspective on the social scientific analysis of the theory and practice of participatory and representative democracy and the limits and potential of active citizenship.Teaching & Learning methods:
24 lecture hoursAssessment Type:
Continuous Assessment: 100%
Course Disclaimer
Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.
Credits earned vary according to the policies of the students' home institutions. According to ISA policy and possible visa requirements, students must maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by their home institutions, for the duration of the program.
ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits are converted to semester credits/quarter units differently among U.S. universities. Students should confirm the conversion scale used at their home university when determining credit transfer.
Please reference fall and spring course lists as not all courses are taught during both semesters.
Please note that some courses with locals have recommended prerequisite courses. It is the student's responsibility to consult any recommended prerequisites prior to enrolling in their course.