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PL21015: Parliamentary studies

[Page last updated: 05 August 2021]

Academic Year: 2021/2
Owning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: ES 67%, OT 33%
Assessment Detail:
  • Other Assessment (OT 33%)
  • Essay (ES 67%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Before taking this module you must take PL10417
Aims: This is a unique unit taught in collaboration with staff from The Houses of Parliament. Westminster has been referred to as 'the Mother of all parliaments' and seen as a beacon of democratic politics worldwide. But is this still the case in the 21st century? At heart, this unit will provide students with an assessment of the ways in which Parliament works in modern Britain, both in theory and practice. Parliamentary staff who work for select committees, on legislative development, and in other areas of the institituton will lead four sessions, with a fifth session comprising a guided visit to Parliament itself. Other sessions will be led by academics expert in this area. Students will be given unique exposure to the reality of what it is like to work in Parliament and the unit will leave them well-placed to discuss all aspects of British parliamentary politics.

Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of the unit students will be able to:
* describe the origins and formal functions of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords;
* critically assess the ability of the contemporary Parliament to fulfill these functions;
* understand the role of political parties as the managers of Parliament;
* assess the ways in which Parliament represents different sections of the UK population;
* understand how devolution has affected the role of Parliament in modern British politics;
* discuss parliamentary reform in the context of political disengagement and political fragmentation

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

Content: The unit will cover the following topics:
* the legislative process
* the role of select committees
* parliament and Europe
* the role and reform of the House of Lords
* Who are our MPs?
* Parliament and gender
* The role of an MP
* Devolution and Parliament
* Parliamentary reform and public opinion
* A visit to the Houses of Parliament.

Programme availability:

PL21015 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Economics
  • UHES-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics (Year 2)
  • UHES-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHES-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UHES-ACB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics with Combined Placement and Study Abroad (Year 2)
Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AYB43 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio French) with Year Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AYB44 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio German) with Year Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AYB47 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio Italian) with Year Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AYB48 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio Mandarin) with Year Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AYB46 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio Russian) with Year Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AYB45 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio Spanish) with Year Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AYB43 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (French) with Year Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AYB44 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (German) with Year Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AYB45 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (Spanish) with Year Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AFB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AAB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AAB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics with Year long work placement (Year 2)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2021/22 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2022/23 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2021/22.
  • 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.