Programme of Study Catalogue

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the historical context of modern British party politics.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the nature and functioning of British political parties.
Critically compare aspects of the party political system in Britain to that in other nations.
Evaluate the contemporary challenges faced by political parties and critically analyse their fitness for purpose.
Communicate and evaluate research information in a clear and striking manner, making appropriate choices about the nature and format in which findings are presented.

Content:

This module explores the rise and development of the party system within British politics and the various perspectives, academic and non-academic, which influence its continuing development. The primary focus of this module is the understanding and analysis of British party politics, the module develops that knowledge specifically within a comparative context in order to mark out what is particular about the British party political system.

The first part of the module takes a historical view of modern party politics in Britain in order to understand what has been expected of and required from political parties (party and parliamentary parties; affiliations and funding; manifestos and ideologies, and wider popular representation) and how various reforms to the role and functioning of British electoral parties constitute their current state. It also reflects upon the public images of political parties that have arisen and their influence.

The second part of the module questions whether party politics is in decline in response to single-issue politics. It examines the contemporary challenges for political party structures and the range of relations that they are required to sustain: with party members; donors; the public; with the media; the voting public, and various think tanks and lobby groups. This diversifying portfolio of relationships, each becoming increasingly specialised poses challenges in relation to party finance; representation in politics ('Westminster Bubble'), and ethical notions about the liberty and conscience of MPs. Issues such as coalition and non-competitive pacts; race and gender in the selection of candidates; centralisation and regionalisation of politics, and the rise of single-issue politics will also be explored.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The module will be taught through a combination of seminars and workshops. Lecture material will be pre-recorded and placed on the VLE in advance of the relevant seminars, which will focus on student-led development towards the two assessment points. There will be opportunities for regular formative feedback through the workshops sessions.

Seminars/workshops
Hours: 32
Intended Group Size: 50

Guided independent study:
Hours: 168

Further details relating to assessment
Assessment 1 - individual presentation: Students will be expected to identify a theme in the development of modern British party politics and chart and explain its development with accuracy and also compare that theme in comparison to the development of party politics in other modern democratic states (such as Australia, USA, India). Again, formative feedback will be given in workshop sessions during the design and construction of this assignment. Specific in-class consideration will be given to the design and delivery of successful presentations.
Assessment 2 - case study: the case study form of assessment has been chosen for its ability to synthesise practical, professional, and academic viewpoints. The case study will have a comparative aspect: to identify a particular aspect of the relationship between parties and the wider political system, the media, or the public and then compare and contrast experiences within a non-British political system.

Assessment:

001 Individual Presentation; 10 Minutes; Mid Semester One 50%
002 Case Study; 2,000 Words; End of Semester One 50%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - William Allchorn
Level - 5
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 5S1