PAIR2043 A (Dis)United Kingdom? Myth and Reality in British Politics

Module Aims

This module aims to explain recent developments in the politics of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. We will ask: How does Brexit change the politics of the United Kingdom? Is our uncodified constitution really unique and if so how does it affect the behaviour of politicians and those that work for government? What role does national identity play in a nation that is itself a 'kingdom of nations' and does regional devolution pull that kingdom apart or hold it together? How do the electoral and party systems of the UK dictate the decisions that voters and politicians make about who governs? How has UK politics changed in the last century and what have key actors done that will continue to influence the polity and its citizens?

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.