PAIR2043 A (Dis)United Kingdom? Myth and Reality in British Politics
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
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an appreciation of how British political history shapes modern British politics and be able to justify arguments about when and how UK politics may or may not be seen as exceptional.
- Offer theoretically-informed and evidence-based analysis of developments in UK politics.
- 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.
- Analyse numerical and text-based data where information relevant to UK political phenomena is held.
Syllabus
1. The British Constitution 2. Governing the Kingdom 3. Scotland 4. Wales 5. Northern Ireland 6. England 7. The party system 8. Post-war consensus and the Thatcherite juncture 9. Blair and New Labour 10. Cameron and the Coalition 11. UKIP and Brexit
Learning and Teaching
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent Study | 121 |
| Teaching | 29 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Assessment
Summative
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Analytical essay (2500 words) | 60% |
| Coursework portfolio (1500 words) | 40% |
Referral
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Portfolio (3000 words) | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External
Linked modules
Pre-requisites: PAIR1001 OR PAIR1002 OR PAIR1004 OR PAIR1005