BA Politics, Philosophy and Economics

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
British Politics: Power and the State

Course unit fact file
Unit code POLI10401
Credit rating 20
Unit level Level 1
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? Yes

Overview

Week 1: Perspectives on British politics
Week 2: Competing theories of British politics
Week 3: British politics & society
Week 4: The core institutions of British politics
Week 5: Constitutional reform and change
Week 6: A ‘New Jerusalem’
Week 7: A Nation in Decline
Week 8: The Legacies of Thatcherism
Week 9: Britain and Europe – 1945-2016
Week 10/11: Brexit and the Undiscovered Country

 

Aims

This course aims to give students an ‘intellectual toolkit’ to unpack and understand contemporary trends and events in British politics. It does this through a three-stage approach, covering ideas, institutions, and history. In the first part, the course examines some of the key schools of thought on how British politics operates, laying out the underlying assumptions behind them. Then, it explores some of the most important institutions in British politics, and seeks to connect them to the schools of thought identified in the first section. Finally, it reviews contemporary British political history, and looks to see what patterns emerge, and what ties together key events and figures.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, successful students will be able to demonstrate:


1) a clear understanding of key conceptual approaches to understanding political power; 
2) an ability to apply these approaches to key themes within British politics;
3) the capacity to develop critical arguments, drawing on appropriate academic literatures about key case studies relating to British politics [internal and external]  and how they have changed over time.

Syllabus

Course Content

Week 1: Perspectives on British politics
Week 2: Competing theories of British politics
Week 3: British politics & society
Week 4: The core institutions of British politics
Week 5: Constitutional reform and change
Week 6: A ‘New Jerusalem’
Week 7: A Nation in Decline
Week 8: The Legacies of Thatcherism
Week 9: Britain and Europe – 1945-2016
Week 10/11: Brexit and the Undiscovered Country

 

Assessment methods

Essay [1500 words] 40%

Exam [2 hr] 60%

Feedback methods

Politics staff will provide feedback on written work within 15 working days of submission.

Students should be aware that all marks are provisional until confirmed by the external examiner and the final examinations boards in June.

For modules that do not have examination components the marks and feedback for the final assessed component are not subject to the 15 working day rule and will be released with the examination results.

You will receive feedback on assessed essays in a standard format. This will rate your essay in terms of various aspects of the argument that you have presented your use of sources and the quality of the style and presentation of the essay. If you have any queries about the feedback that you have received you should make an appointment to see your tutor.

On assessments submitted through Turnitin you will receive feedback via Blackboard. This will include suggestions about ways in which you could improve your work in future. You will also receive feedback on non-assessed coursework, whether this is individual or group work. This may be of a more informal kind and may include feedback from peers as well as academic staff

Recommended reading

Preliminary reading


Hall, M. (2011). Political Traditions and UK Politics. Basingstoke: Palgrave 

Heffernan, R., Cowley, P. and Hay, C. (2011). Developments in British Politics 9. Basingstoke: Palgrave 

Moran, M. (2005). Politics and Governance in the UK. Basingstoke: Palgrave 

Richards, D. and Smith, M.J. (2002). Governance and Public Policy in the UK. Oxford. Oxford University Press

 

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Timothy Oliver Unit coordinator

Additional notes

Information
Length of course: 12 weeks

Return to course details