1. Weekly live class discussion sessions

Every week there will be interactive weekly live (synchronous) class discussion sessions on Mondays from 1.30-2.45pm.

These will be held via the Zoom online conference system. Our success as an online class will depend on the same commitment we share in the physical classroom.

We will adopt the same rules and norms, so that you will be expected to come to class after viewing the class video materials and doing the essential readings; to take notes; to participate by asking and answering questions; to respond interactively with other colleagues; and to wear classroom-ready clothing (!).

For everyone’s benefit, ideally please try to participate in a quiet place, turn on your video feed whenever possible, and mute your microphone unless you are speaking.  

The live Zoom sessions will also be recorded and uploaded to Canvas, for those unable to participate in the time zone synchronously.

The first class will allow an informal meet-and-greet, checking the technical set up so that the Zoom facilities are working for everyone OK, and saying a few words of introduction about your background and interests for everyone in class.

Two volunteers will be asked to serve on a rotating basis as that week’s (i) technical assistant, to assist with any technical connectivity issues, and (ii) chat host, monitoring and responding to any questions/discussion points arising.

2. Weekly asynchronous pre-class lecture video and readings

A power-point video pre-recorded lecture presentation will be available online every week via the Canvas website to view at your convenience (asynchronously) any time before the interactive discussion in the class session. This way, you can watch at your own pace, repeat or print a screen slide.

Each class also specifies readings (see below).

Participants will be expected to have watched the materials and read the essential readings prior to the live class sessions, to make sense of the discussions.

3. Weekly live online peer-learning workgroups

Student peer-learning live (synchronous) one-hour long workgroups will meet weekly via Zoom for one hour of discussion and applied exercises.

Workgroup will be organized  by time-zone, to allow convenient live participation wherever you live around the world. There will be a signup sheet on Canvas. To allow time for signup, the weekly discussion groups will start from 8^th February onwards.  

Groups will include at minimum 4 people and a maximum of 6 people, to facilitate live participation in different days/time zones. Those resident in Cambridge may wish to meet locally f-2-f (with social distancing).

The workgroups will focus around the week’s readings, discussion questions, applied exercises, and providing feedback for assignments.

Each group should elect a person to serve as moderator and discussant, with these roles rotating each week.

The role of the moderator is to organize and chair the session, to summarize the essential readings and initiate questions, and to make sure that everyone has a chance to participate.

The role of the discussant is to take notes of the key points emerging from the group discussion; to prepare a one-page memo, to be shared with the group and myself, summarizing a record of the key points; and to give a 5-minute verbal report back to class on behalf of the whole group. The discussant may wish to use a 2-3 slide power-point shared screen for their report back.

I will also ‘drop-in’ occasionally to groups, to monitor progress.

4. Office hours

There will be opportunities to signup via Canvas calendar to reserve a slot for individual appointments for online office hours during the semester, with varying time slots each week to accommodate different time-zones.  

Participants should aim to sign up for at least one appointment during the semester and to plan ahead to avoid bunching in the week prior to assignment deadlines.

5. Social media

Last, but not least, I am a heavy user of Twitter (@PippaN15).  This is an ideal medium for you to share relevant materials you come across with the rest of the class, to add brief informal comments to ongoing discussion topics, to initiate public discussions, and so on and so forth.  We will have a signup to collect your Twitter handle so that we can easily share to a common Twitter list.

Class

Date

Topic

Due dates

INTRODUCTION

1

25 Jan

What is populism?  Ideology, ideas or rhetoric?

2

1 Feb

Measuring populism: The Global Party Survey

I: VARIETIES OF POPULISM

3

8 Feb

Populism in the US

4

22 Feb

Populism in Europe and the UK: the Brexit case study

5

8 Mar

Comparing populism worldwide

Report 1

II: DEMAND-SIDE EXPLANATIONS

6

15 Mar

Cultural backlash

7

22 Mar

Economic grievances

8

29 Mar

Immigration/race/ethnicity

III: SUPPLY-SIDE EXPLANATIONS

9

5 Apr

Electoral rules & electoral integrity

 Report 2

10

12 Apr

Party competition  

11

19 Apr

Media communications 

IV: CONSEQUENCES & POLICY RESPONSES

12

26 Apr

Impacts on policy, the civic culture & democracy

Report 3