British Politics module (PO32015)

This module aims to engage with the research and institutions of British politics in the post-1945 era. In this course, we critically analyse the broad debates and themes in modern British politics, helping students develop their own critical and analytical voice. We will begin to question some of the assumptions you have learned in their first year as well as learning and debating new concepts from the wider field of Public Policy.

What you will learn

In this module, you will:

• engage with existing and prior knowledge of British Politics, particularly issues covered in first year
• critically engage with different theoretical perspectives surrounding the development and institutions of British policy-making
• consider the development of several key actors, including parliament, the executive, the media, and the electorate
• apply different theories of public policy to policy areas including economic policy, foreign policy, and decentralisation

By the end of this module, you will have:

• developed and deepened your knowledge and understanding of British politics: its institutions, historical development, and contemporary issues
• developed your ability to engage critically with contemporary theoretical and political debates in British politics
• built on your wider research skills and analytical skills, and developed an ability to use this to evidence, test, and build on wider arguments both within this sub-field and across your broader studies
• built on your skills to apply these theories, concepts, and research to real-world policy issues and events in contemporary British politics

Assignments / assessment

• engagement grade (10%)
  • covers in class engagement and weekly reading reviews
• essay (50%) - 2,500 words
  • questions provided in week 0
  • due week 6 (reading week)
• exam (40%)
  • involves two essays completed over two hours

Teaching methods / timetable

• lectures
  • one weekly lecture on each topic of the course delivered in class
  • introduce you to the broad issues and debates around each topic
• tutorials
  • there is one weekly tutorial
  • give an opportunity for you to collaborate and build on each others' research and readings
• reading reviews
  • you are required to complete a 200-500 word review of each week's readings
  • feedback is given on each reading review as a basis for revision for the exam and essays