Developments in British Politics: Institutions and Behaviour

Module title	Developments in British Politics: Institutions and Behaviour
Module code	POL3277
Academic year	2022/3
Credits	15
Module staff	Dr Hannah Bunting ()

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	0	11	0

Number students taking module (anticipated)	30

Module description

This module analyses contemporary United Kingdom politics and the developments that shaped current times. Brexit drives change, Covid 19 creates challenges, Scotland and Northern Ireland remaining in UK is questioned. Key political institutions (legislative, executive, judicial, party and electoral systems) and political behaviour (including voting and broader political participation) are addressed. Themes include representation, citizenship and equality, devolution, policy-making and political leadership.

The module is recommended for students specialising in politics and those on interdisciplinary pathways that include politics (there are no pre- or co-requisites required).

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module provides students with high level knowledge about UK (Britain and Northern Ireland) politics and develops skills for analysing its political institutions, political behaviour and contemporary themes. This facilitates understanding of challenges and opportunities in the contemporary context, especially the importance of Brexit, contemporary UK political movements and challenges including those presented by Covid 19.

The module examines developments in politics through a set of key themes. These include political leadership and movements, political institutions, representation, citizenship and equality, devolution, and policy-making,

The module draws on a mix of qualitative and quantitative evidence giving participants flexibility in their focus. Likely future scenarios for British politics are considered –including consequences of Brexit, Covid 19, moves towards digital politics and associated digital and social media, technological change in government including the use of artificial intelligence, constitutional and electoral reform, and the changing party system.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of key features of British (UK) political institutions, political behaviour and political themes and theory and evidence about them.
2. Identify and critique the most important challenges and opportunities in British politics today along with theory and evidence about them.
3. Situate specific institutions, behaviours, challenges and opportunities in British politics within their political and contemporary historical context.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

4. Apply abstract theories and concepts to empirical cases.
5. Use logic and reasoning to evaluate arguments.
6. Deploy a range of social research methods commonly used in the discipline of politics.

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

7. Demonstrate ICT skills in accessing and using learning resources for the module.
8. Work effectively in an organised manner individually as part of a team in seminars.
9. Conduct research using a wide variety of sources.
10. Communicate research findings clearly and concisely in the form of written reports.

Syllabus plan

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

Models of British politics
Executive politics (PM, Cabinet, policy making and implementation)
The Parliament and representation
Elections, parties, voting, and the electoral system
The constitution, devolution, calls for independence and the future of the UK
British Citizenship, equality and fair treatment
Britain, Europe and the World (including the development of Brexit)
Reforms to the UK system (electoral, constitutional, improving policy and implementation)

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
22	128	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Schedule Learning and Teaching Activity	22	11 x 2 hour seminars
Guided Independent Study	44	Seminar preparation
Guided Independent Study	84	Coursework including essay planning and writing

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Essay 1 Plan	400 words	1-10	Written

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
Essay 1	100	3,000 words	1-10	Written
	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
Essay 1	Essay 1 (3000 words) 100%	1-10	August/September re-assessment period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:

Evans, G. and Menon, A. (2017) Brexit and British Politics, Cambridge: Polity
Finlayson, A, (2003) Making Sense of New Labour, London: Lawrence and Wishart
Gamble, A. (1994) The Free Economy and the Strong State, Basingstoke: Palgrave
Heffernan, R., et al. (2016) Developments in British Politics 10, Basingstoke: Palgrave
Jones, B. and Norton, P. (2014) Politics UK, 8^thedition, Oxon: Routledge
Kerr, P. (2005) Postwar British Politics: From Conflict to Consensus, London: Routledge
McAnulla, S. (2006) British Politics: A Critical Introduction, London: Continuum
Moran, M. (2015) Politics and Governance in the UK, 3^rdedition, London: Palgrave
Bevir, M. and Rhodes, R. (2003) Reinterpreting British Governance,London: Routledge
Mayblin, L. (2017). Asylum after empire: Colonial legacies in the politics of asylum seeking. Rowman & Littlefield.
James, O., Olsen, A. L., Moynihan, D., & Van Ryzin, G. G. (2020) Behavioral Public Performance: How People Make Sense of Government Metrics. Elements in Public and Nonprofit Administration. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Key words search

British politics, comparative politics, political institutions, political behaviour, citizens, voters, parties, elections, parliament, executive politics, public policy

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	none
Module co-requisites	none
NQF level (module)	6
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	28/01/2022
Last revision date	14/03/2022