Module Catalogue 2024/25

POL3108 : The Politics of the Far Right in Europe (Inactive)

POL3108 : The Politics of the Far Right in Europe (Inactive)

  • Inactive for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Mr Philip Daniels
  • Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module aims:

1.       To give students an understanding of the historical origins, political appeal and sociological profile of the contemporary European far right;
2.       To introduce students to the principal conceptual frameworks and theoretical perspectives for understanding the European far right;
3.       To encourage students to apply comparative frameworks to the analysis of the European far right.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module provides an in-depth, comparative analysis of the European far right. The initial lectures address the development of European party systems and the origin of the far right group of political families. This will introduce students to the various conceptual frameworks for the analysis of different types of far right parties and movements. The historical background will include case studies of early post- World War Two far right parties. The analysis of the contemporary European far right will examine the ideas and ideologies of these parties and the social profiles of supporters. This part of the syllabus will address salient issues for the far right such as historical revisionism, Euro-scepticism and anti-immigration discourses. The remaining lectures will examine the most prominent far right parties and movements across Europe


Indicative topics include:

•       Development of European party systems: political cleavages and mass politics
•       Party types and parliamentary and extra-parliamentary movements of the far right
•       Historical antecedents of the European far right (e.g. Poujadists, Italian Social Movement)
•       Ideology and ideas of key thinkers of the far right
•       Sociology of far right political support
•       Case studies (including France, Italy, UK, Austria, Germany)

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

1.       An understanding of the origins, ideologies and sociological profiles of parliamentary and extra-parliamentary far right parties and movements;
2.       Apply conceptual frameworks to the study of individual parties and movements;
3.       Be able to apply key concepts in comparative political analysis.

Intended Skill Outcomes

1.       Development of critical-analytical ability to evaluate empirical data, concepts, political ideas and theories;
2.       Development of this critical understanding through independent study, oral presentations, group discussion, the essay assignment and the written examination;
3.       Development of oral and written communication skills;
4.       Development of planning and organisational skills.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture221:0022:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching101:0010:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery22:004:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1164:00164:00N/A
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Student contact hours will consist primarily of a combination of lectures and seminars. The lectures introduce students to the key conceptual frameworks, theoretical perspectives and individual case studies. The seminars are organised to encourage student participation, to explore and clarify key issues and ideas, and to develop oral communication skills. A key focus of seminars will be the application of cross-national comparative perspectives to the case studies.
Students will be required to undertake independent study in preparation for seminars, the assessed essay and the written examination. Students will be encouraged to develop reading, writing and critical-analytical skills through engagement with a variety of sources in preparation for the essay assessment and the written examination. Planning and organisational skills are developed throughout the module

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination901A50Essay style examination
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay1M502,000 words
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

A mix of assessment methods will be used to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the key concepts and political issues in the study of the contemporary European far right.

The essay will assess the student’s ability to apply conceptual and theoretical perspectives to individual case studies and to employ comparative political analysis. In addition, it will assess the student’s capacity for independent research, planning and organisation, critical-analysis and effective writing and argument..

The unseen written examination will assess the student’s knowledge, understanding and critical analysis of various dimensions of the European far right. The examination paper will be designed to ensure that students cannot repeat material from the essay assessment and the format of questions will require students to have a broad knowledge of the curriculum.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

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The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.