British Government and Politics

Module title	British Government and Politics
Module code	POC1003
Academic year	2021/2
Credits	15
Module staff	Dr Joanie Willett (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	11

Number students taking module (anticipated)	80

Module description

The British political system has changed dramatically. To take just one example the civil service has changed more dramatically over the last 30 years than in the previous 125. But we have also seen changes to the committee system in the House of Commons and to the composition of the House of Lords; devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; an elected mayor of London; the introduction of electoral systems other than first-past-the-post for some elections; a referendum on the parliamentary voting system; and an expanded European Union in crisis.

All of these changes are overlaid by a new politics of the permanent campaign and direct action and, most recently, by the worst economic crisis in generations. You will examine all of these changes from the traditional Westminster model and their implications for British politics.

No prior knowledge skills or experience are required to take this module and it is suitable for specialist and non-specialist students. This module is not recommended for interdisciplinary pathways.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module provides you with an introduction to British politics which is intended to provoke thought and provide foundational concepts for the academic study of this topic. The lectures introduce you to the main institutions and processes of government with contemporary emphasis but historical awareness. The module covers democracy in Britain, electoral politics, executive politics and structures for developing and implementing public policy. A theme of the course will be the changes in the British constitution over the last 20 years or so. A second theme is to stress the new politics of permanent campaigning and direct action in a context where power is shifting upwards (to Europe) and downwards (to the devolved territories).

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. demonstrate your knowledge of the basic institutions and operation of British politics, recent political history and contrasting perspectives on developments in British politics;
2. evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches and perspectives on British politics and anticipate how British politics is likely to evolve over the next five years.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

3. place descriptive material within a conceptual and theoretical context and to move from the concrete to the abstract and vice versa, and an ability to assimilate and analyse a wide range of disparate data in written work;
4. interpret and apply theory and evidence about political institutions and processes.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

5. demonstrate effective essay writing techniques, including the ability to evaluate and synthesise relevant material;
6. engage effectively in group discussions;
7. engage effectively in group work.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module's precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

Introduction
Elections
Political participation
Mass media
Prime Minister, Cabinet, civil service
Multi-level governance
The House of Commons and the House of Lords
Parties and leaders
Environmental policy and climate change
Economic Policy

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
26.5	123.5	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity	16.5	Lectures (11 x 1.5 hours)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity	10	Seminars (10 x 1 hours) Every student will be expected to present during the term
Guided independent study	123.5	Reading: 44 hours (1 on text book; 3 on required and recommended, per week). Writing notes from readings: 16.5 (1.5 hours per week). Assignments: 63 hours (6 on bibliographic essay; 28.5 on each essay)

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Group Activity	400 words per student	1,3,4,6,7	Written feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Bibliographic Exercise	40	1,500 words	1, 5	Written
Essay	60	2,000 words	1-5	Written
	0
	0
	0
	0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Bibliographic Exercise	1,500 words	1, 5	August/September reassessment period
Essay	2,000 words	1-5	August/September reassessment period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Bill Jones and Philip Norton, Politics UK, Pearson/Longman, 8th edn, 2013

R Heffernan and C Hay, Developments in British Politics 10, Macmillan, London, 2016

Simon Lee and Matt Beech, The Cameron-Clegg Government, Macmillian, London, 2011

Anthony Seldon and Peter Snowdon, Cameron at 10: The Inside Story 2010-2015, London William Collins, 2016

Tim Bale, The Conservative Party from Thatcher to Cameron. 2nd edn Cambridge: Polity, 2016

Key words search

British Government Politics

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	4
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	01/10/2007
Last revision date	17/07/2020