ATS2699 Parties and power

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

1. 1

   foster an understanding of the importance of political parties
   as organizational forms by which citizens in a liberal democracy seek to
   influence governance;

2. 2

   foster a comparative understanding of how parties and party systems are organized in liberal democratic states;

3. 3

   develop a knowledge of the contribution political science and
   political theory have made to theorizing about parties and party systems;

4. 4

   foster an understanding of the applicability of theories about
   organization and power to an analysis of political parties;

5. 5

   develop a clear understanding of the forms and dynamics of inter-party
   and intra-party politics, and the impact this has on debates about public
   policy and governance;

6. 6

   To develop advanced analytical and communication skills by participating in class discussions and presenting well-researched and well-structured arguments in written assignments.