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PL10417: Introduction to British politics

[Page last updated: 15 October 2020]

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2020/1
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Further information on credits Credits: 6      [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 120
Further information on unit levels Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Semester 2
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 40%, EX 60%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CW 40%)
  • = Examination (EX 60%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Description: Aims:
This unit is designed provide a grounding in the study of the British political system, including wider aspects of Britain's relations with the European Union. Frequently comparison will be made with other politics system, including European ones and the USA.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the Unit students should be able to demonstrate: i) a knowledge of the major aspects of the British political system within a historical context; and ii) an awareness of recent trends and plans for reform.

Skills:
Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are taught and assessed in this unit. Skills in effective learning are developed in this unit.

Content:
The lectures will focus on a wide range of specific topics central to beginning the study of politics (parties, institutions, etc.). Lectures will include: conservatism; social democracy; voting behaviour; the media; electoral systems; parliament; executive; Britain and the European Union.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PL10417 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AFB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AAB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AKB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations with Year long work placement (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AAB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics with Year long work placement (Year 1)

PL10417 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Economics
  • UHES-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics (Year 1)
  • UHES-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • UHES-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics with Year long work placement (Year 1)
  • UHES-ACB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics with Combined Placement and Study Abroad (Year 1)
Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AYB43 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio French) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB44 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio German) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB47 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio Italian) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB48 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio Mandarin) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB46 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio Russian) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB45 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio Spanish) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB43 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (French) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB44 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (German) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB45 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (Spanish) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB14 : BSc(Hons) Applied Social Studies (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AFB16 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AKB16 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy with Year long work placement (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AFB05 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AKB05 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences with Year long work placement (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AFB04 : BSc(Hons) Sociology (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AKB04 : BSc(Hons) Sociology with Year long work placement (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy with Year long work placement (Year 1)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2020/21 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2021/22 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2020/21.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.