Study information

Parliamentary Studies

Module titleParliamentary Studies
Module codePOC3151
Academic year2024/5
Credits15
Module staff

Dr Ekaterina Kolpinskaya (Lecturer)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

10

Number students taking module (anticipated)

30

Module description

The Parliamentary Studies module – co-delivered with the UK Parliament and supported by the Parliamentary Outreach Trust – enables you to examine the workings of the UK Parliament and the legislative processes in the context of the British party system and political culture, and the broader system of inter-parliamentary relations between the UK’s legislatures.

This module is suitable for non-specialist students interested in British politics. It does not have pre-requisites nor assumes prior knowledge and skills in this subject area. It is, however, specifically focused on the UK Parliament, and would not be the best fit for those on interdisciplinary pathways.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to foster your understanding of the logic and facets of Parliament – from the structure, functions and internal working of parliamentary bodies to inter-parliamentary relations between the UK Parliament and devolved legislatures.

In addition to the institutional set-up, it aims to examine parliamentary politics by focusing on behaviours and legislative roles of parliamentarians, as well as their relationships with constituents, political parties and the British public using lectures and seminars, as well as interactive activities, guest talks and a field trip to Parliament.

Finally, it aims to build confidence and proficiency in the use of parliamentary language and writing styles, thus enabling you to write for political practitioners in the future. This is enabled by researching for and writing a submission of evidence based on the terms of reference for an ongoing or past parliamentary committee inquiry.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

  • 1. Show understanding of debates regarding (1) the relationship between the executive and Parliament; (2) modernisation and reform of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, (3) the legislative process, and (3) the relationships of Parliament with devolved legislatures of the UK
  • 2. Identify, explain and discuss the roles of Members of the House of Commons and Lords and the dynamics and effectiveness of parliamentary scrutiny and of parliamentary accountability
  • 3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the main theoretical and methodological approaches to legislative studies, and issues shaping development of the UK Parliament
  • 4. Select and present in a coherent way, orally and in writing, empirical and theoretical arguments relevant to the study of Parliament

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

  • 5. Collect, synthesise and analysis evidence, as well as present it in a coherent way in response to both academic and practitioner inquiries

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

  • 6. Synthesise and evaluate information from a range of sources to develop robust, evidence-based and logically sound arguments demonstrating ability to read, think and write critically
  • 7. Communicate effectively and comprehensively in the content of debates and in writing in different formats for academic and political practitioner (i.e. parliamentary) audiences, including by synthesising and evaluating different types of evidence

Syllabus plan

While the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover the following topics:

  • Theoretical and historical perspectives on the UK Parliament
  • Modernisation of the House of Commons since 1997
  • Reform of the House of Lords
  • Passing primary and secondary/delegated legislation through Parliament
  • Parliamentary Committees at work
  • Parliament and devolution
  • Legislative roles and parliamentary behaviour
  • Parliamentary representation and accountability

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
221280

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching1010 x 1-hour interactive lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching1010 x 1-hour seminar dicussions and interactive activities
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities21 x 2-hour assessment support clinic
Scheduled Learning and Teaching7Field trip to Parliament, including guest talks, observation of parliamentary activities and participation in discussions
Guided independent Study40Completing readings assigned for the module on a weekly basis
Guided independent study8Preparation for formative assignment. Preparing a detailed outline of the submission to the Select Committee inquiry
Guided independent Study38Preparation of assignment 1 (submission to the Select Committee inquiry). Conducting research, synthetising evidence, designing recommendations for the government and writing up
Guided independent study30Preparation the exam, including revising readings, lecture and seminar materials
Guided independent study5Receiving and reflecting on feedback

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Outline of the submission of evidence to a parliamentary committee inquiry500 words1-7Written

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
60400

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Submission of evidence to a parliamentary committee inquiry602000 words1-7Written
Time-limited, multiple choice/short answer exam401 hour1-7Written
0
0
0
0

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

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Submission of evidence to a parliamentary committee inquirySubmission of evidence to a parliamentary committee inquiry (2,000 words)1-7Referral/Deferral Period
Time-limited, multiple choice/short answer examTime-limited, multiple choice/short answer exam (1 hour)1-7Referral/Deferral Period

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to redo the assessment(s) as defined above. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

  • Leston-Bandeira, C. and Thompson, L. (eds.) 2018. Exploring Parliament. Oxford: OUP.
  • Crewe, E. (2015). The House of Commons: An anthropology of MPs at work. Bloomsbury Publishing.
  • Thompson, L. (2015). Making British law: committees in action. Springer.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

It is important to keep up-to-date with Westminster politics through the media and regularly updated academic and policy research resources. Students are recommended to:

Follow the Parliamentary Studies list, I have collated for the module on Twitter [link]

 

Listen to radio programmes – Today; Radio 4 News; Westminster Hour; The Week in Westminster (all can be accessed via BBC iPlayer) – and podcasts such as:

 

Watch television news and political programmes – Newsnight; Channel 4 News; The Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme; Question Time; Daily Politics (all can be accessed via BBC iPlayer)

 

Follow useful non-Parliament organisations (watch for updates, events and publications):

Key words search

Parliament, legislative studies, British politics

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

NQF level (module)

6

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

30/01/2024