PTC4002 - British Politics in Comparative Perspective

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge of the key factors (ideological and historical) that have driven the development of the modern British state.
Understand the nature of, and interrelations between, the key agents and institutions that comprise the British political system.
Understand the merits of reform and its potential implications.
Compare the experience of the above issues within British politics to that of another political state.
Demonstrate an ability to communicate results and findings clearly in specific presentation formats.

Content:

This module introduces students to the study of British politics. It surveys the roles of the House of Commons and the House of Lords in drafting and enacting legislation; the question of the constitution; the difference between MPs, ministers, and the cabinet; the relation of elected politicians to other major institutions such as the judiciary, local government, and the European Parliamentary process; and the role of agencies such as the media, pressure groups, NGOs, and political parties.

The pressures for reform (past, present and future) will be considered and specific comparison will be drawn with political systems of other nations.

Learning and Teaching Information:

In a mixture of seminars and workshops the structure of the British political system will be outlined and its operations will be illustrated through analysis of case studies that are selected to cover all the key institutions and functions. Specific case studies will be drawn from recent/current news stories and may therefore change each year. Similarly, the reasons for reform (past, present, and future) will be explored through case studies selected to show how the political systems of other nations developed in contrasting ways, and how potential future pressures might require further reforms. Specific support will be offered for the study of comparative politics.

Seminars/workshops
Hours: 40
Intended Group Size: 50

Guided independent study
Hours: 160

Further details relating to assessment
Assessment 1 - Directed activities: these consist of weekly tasks that must be completed and submitted for inspection at timetabled sessions each week. The assessment will be assessed on a pass/fail basis with a pass requiring at least 75% of all weekly tasks to be completed successfully. A pass will lead to the full award of 10% towards the final module mark. A fail in directed activities will contribute 0% to the final mark.

Assessment 2 - Report: Student understanding of key structures of British politics will be tested through a case study report. There will be formative feedback on an earlier practice for this assignment.

Assessment 3 - Report: The second assignment tests the ability to consider alternative arrangements, either through the different developments undertaken by other national political systems or through potential reforms required to manage future social and political pressures. Again, formative feedback will be given during the production of this assignment.

Assessment:

001 Directed Activites throughout Semester One 10%
002 Report; 2,000 words; Mid-Semester One 45%
003 Report; 2,000 words; End of Semester One 45%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Nathan Uglow
Level - 4
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4S1

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