Module overview
Set on the background of Brexit, a Scottish independence referendum, and the rise of new parties, the years since 2010 have seen a coalition government, three referendums, four elections, the highest and lowest ever two-party vote share, and several other historical moments. Are we witnessing the fragmentation of the political landscape, or the re-emergence of old party loyalties? How can we predict what's going to happen, or explain what has happened? This is what this module aims to do.
To make sense of the rapidly shifting political tides, we need more than headlines and opinion polls - we need political science. Understanding UK politics isn't just about knowing who's in power, it's about grasping the deeper forces that shape our democracy and influence our future.
This module explores the key institutions, parties, and movements that have defined UK politics, past and present. Lectured by international experts on the topics, we will understand how the historical forces of class politics shape politics today, debate whether Parliament is fit for purpose, what it means to represent and be represented, and get the inside line on what it's like to be a Minister, amongst much else.
Structured around lectures and seminars with applied topics, you'll develop a critical understanding of UK politics. You'll gain essential analytical tools from political science, using social data and other tools, equipping you to navigate, interpret, and even shape political developments in the UK.