British Government and Politics
| Module title | British Government and Politics |
|---|---|
| Module code | POC1003 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Joanie Willett (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 80 |
|---|
Module description
This module will use the question of how pluralist British Politics is, to take students on a journey through under-examined aspects of British histories, cultures, and politics. In many respects it tackles the themes of traditional British Politics courses, but will provide a fresh new set of perspectives which begins from some of the inequalities which ripple through contemporary Britain. Our aim is that by exploring different positionalities and perspectives, some of the long-standing fracture lines in British society and politics can become better understood. Further, the module presents a version of politics in which power is dispersed throughout civil society, rather than held centrally in Westminster. We will explore the idea that the body politic is something that we all have the capacity to shape, and that we are all a part of, rather than something that is remote and inaccessible.
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 identity and inequalities, local politics, democracy in Britain, electoral politics, executive politics and structures for developing and implementing public policy. A theme of the course will be the extent to which Britain has a pluralist politics, and whether that matters.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. demonstrate your knowledge about the relationship between identities, pluralism, and the institutions of governance in British politics;
- 2. evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches and perspectives on British politics and a and be able to evaluate it in terms of Pluralism in written work.
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 engage effectively in group work, including group activities during seminars.
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 | 300 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 | 1,900 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 | 1,900 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
| 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 | 05/01/2022 |
