Comparative Government

About this course

The course considers how political authority is organised and exercised across different states, and how comparative methods can be used to analyse government and politics. It examines political systems in their social and historical contexts, using comparison to explore the implications of living under different forms of government. Assessment consists of a mini critical review, a seminar log and a longer critical review essay. Learners study alongside Birkbeck students on undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

What you'll learn

• Analyse how political authority is organised and exercised in different states
• Compare different political systems using relevant comparative methods
• Examine government and politics within social and historical contexts
• Construct critical reviews of political systems and comparative arguments

Is this course right for you?

Listed as suitable for all levels, the course is intended for learners who want to study comparative politics in an academic setting. Participation includes working alongside current undergraduate and postgraduate students and completing several assessed pieces of written work.

• Includes three assessed written tasks, totalling a mini review, seminar log and critical review essay
• Can be taken as a standalone short course or within the Politics and International Studies Certificate of Higher Education