Course Schedule


 
I: HISTORY AND THEORY
 

 

 01/09: Introduction and Terms of Analysis

 

Introduction, course objectives and terms of analysis.

  01/16: History and Theoretical Context

 
 
Read and be prepared to discuss:
 
Politics UK.  Ch. 2: All; Ch.30, pp. 719-724 (Browse: Ch.1, pp. 15-22)
 
 

01/23: Legislative Process: Head of State: Crown and President

Read and be prepared to discuss:

Politics UK. Ch.16: All.
 
Irish President: http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=15&lang=eng
 
 

01/30: Legislative Process: Parliament (I)

Read and be prepared to discuss:

Politics UK. Ch. 17: All

Video on Irish Democracy: http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=3210 

 

02/06: Legislative Process: Parliament (II)

Read and be prepared to discuss:

Politics UK. Ch. 18 and concluding comment.

02/13: Executive Process: Prime Minister and Taoiseach

 
First Exam: 50 mins

Read and be prepared to discuss:

Politics UK. Ch. 19: All

Taoiseach: http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/index.asp?locID=187&docID=-1
 
 

02/20: Executive Process: Bureaucracy and The Courts

 
Read and be prepared to discuss:
 
Politics UK. Ch. 20, 21, 23; All
 

02/27: Elections and Electoral Systems

 
Read and be prepared to discuss:
 
Politics UK. Ch.8; All
 
http://www.oasis.gov.ie/government_in_ireland/elections/proportional_representation.html
 
 

03/06: Political Parties and Pressure Groups

 
Read and be prepared to discuss:
 
Politics UK. Ch.11 and 12; All; ch. 30 pp726-30.
 
Fianna Fail: http://www.fiannafail.ie/
 
Fine Gael: http://www.finegael.com
 
 
 

03/13:  Mass Media and Political Communication

 
Read and be prepared to discuss:
 
Politics UK. Ch.10; All.
 
 

03/20: SPRING BREAK

UNIVERSITY CLOSED

03/27: Public Opinion and Voting Behavior

 
Second Exam: 50 mins
 
Read and be prepared to discuss:
 
Politics UK. Ch.9 and 13; All.
 

04/03: Domestic Policy (I)

 
Parliamentary Debate

Read and be prepared to discuss:

Politics UK. Ch.24, All; ch 30. 730-738

04/10:  Domestic Policy (II) 

 
Parliamentary Debate
 
Read and be prepared to discuss:
 
Politics UK. Ch. 26, 27; All. 
 

04/17: Foreign Policy (I)

 
Parliamentary Debate

Read and be prepared to discuss:

Politics UK. Ch. 28 and 31; All

04/24: Foreign Policy (II) and Wrap-up

as above

Exam Period 

Third Exam: 50 mins