|
 Academic Year:
| 2015/6 |
| Owning Department/School:
| Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies |
| Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Honours (FHEQ level 6) |
| Period: |
Semester 2 |
| Assessment Summary:
| CW 33%, ES 67% |
| Assessment Detail: |
|
| Supplementary Assessment: |
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites: | |
| Description:
| Aims: The implementation and development of devolution across the UK has been an intensely political, ideological matter, with profound socio-political ramifications. This was clearly demonstrated by the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence which, despite a "No" vote, has led many to question whether the Union has a long-term future. With this in mind, this unit examines the development of devolution within the United Kingdom and explores its impact upon institutions and political parties in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In so doing it delves into issues of ideology and public policy, changing national identities and constitutional development, asking what the future holds for the UK as a political entity. Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the module, students should have gained important insights into several areas of analysis regarding the nature of devolution in the UK: * The key conceptual principles of integration, federalism, subsidiarity and devolution and their application to the UK * Historical attempts to devolve power within the UK - both successes and failures * Comprehending the relationship between Westminster and devolved institutions in a multi-level system of governance * The different powers of each institution in a system of asymmetric devolution * The distinctive aspects of Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish - and English - politics and society that have shaped the development of devolution in each polity * The positions taken by political parties on matters of devolution within the Union * Key ideological debates both within and between political parties * The important role parties play in instituting new systems of multi-level politics * The complexity of post-devolution parties as a multi-layered institutions. Skills: Skills in critical analysis, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, effective communication, teamwork and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are developed and assessed in this unit. Content: * Why Devolution? * Northern Ireland's Devolved Government from 1921-72 * Explaining the failure of the 1979 Referendums * Explaining the success of the 1997 Referendums * The Good Friday Agreement and devolution to Northern Ireland * Politics in post-devolution Wales * Politics in post-devolution Scotland * Devolution and 'the English Question'. |
| Programme availability: |
PL30882 is Optional on the following programmes:Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
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