Module overview
Recent referenda on UK withdrawal from the European Union and Scottish withdrawal from the UK appear to have brought simmering tensions in politics on these islands to the fore - or perhaps even created a newly polarised politics. Moreover, while support for nationalist parties has increased, support for the traditional parties of left and right that have dominated Westminster politics for the last 100 years seems to have returned. What are political scientists to make of current UK politics? The module takes and interactive and open-ended approach to teaching and learning. Students will leave the module with a greater understanding of the institutions and actors that have shaped modern British politics. The module aims to equip students with social science tools and vocabulary that will enable them to better navigate, predict, and intervene positively in politics in the UK.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- British political history and institutions and they shape the current political context.
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Offer theoretically-informed and evidence-based analysis of developments in UK politics.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Apply skills in different types of written communication including writing analytical essays and shorter pieces aimed at applying learning to the immediate political and policy problems of the day.
Syllabus
Topics covered include:
- Constitutional politics
- Territorial politics
- Representation
- Parliament
- Voting behaviour and elections
- Britain and the EU
- Identity politics
- Brexit
- Party system
- Political participation
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching will be 2 hours of lectures per week. All will be recorded and posted on Blackboard. Lectures will be delivered either face to face or online only depending upon University and Public Health England Guidance at the time. Total of 24 hours of lectures (2 hours per week X 12 weeks) per module.
Weekly student participation in online discussion boards. 1 hour per week delivered asynchronously. (1 hour X 12 weeks)
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Teaching | 36 |
| Independent Study | 114 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Journal Articles
Journal articles.
Assessment
Summative
Summative assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Discussion board activity | 25% |
| Research project | 50% |
| Research proposal | 25% |
Referral
Referral assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Analytical essay | 100% |
Repeat
Repeat assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Analytical essay | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External