Scottish Government and Politics (PO0007)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : SPS-3-POSGP

Politics in Scotland has entered a new and exciting era since the devolution referendum of 1997 and the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999. This course aims to understand recent and ongoing developments within an historical, theoretical and empirical framework. The course will consider the development of the state and civil society in examining the changing status of Scotland within the United Kingdom. It will examine the emergence and complexity of nationalism and identity in Scotland and analyse the campaigns for Scottish home rule.

A large part of the course is focused upon understating the complexities and consequences of devolution. We will consider issues of party politics, representation and policy development as well as devolved Scotland's relations with the UK government and the European Union. This is a politics course open to sociology students.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Politics, (School of Social and Political Studies, Schedule J)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
07/01/2008	10:00	10:50	Room 7.01, David Hume Tower	Central

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	10:00	10:50	Central

? Additional Class Information : Plus 1 hour seminar

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

This course is aimed at developing students' understanding of Scottish government and politics, stimulating interest in the subject, and supporting students in the development of their research, organizational and communication skills. It is expected that all students, on completion of this course, will have achieved a number of learning outcomes:

-knowledge of Scotland's current constitutional status and its historical development within the United Kingdom state
-a critical appraisal of competing theoretical perspectives and empirical analyses on the development of the home rule movement and the factors underpinning support for the Scottish Parliament
-understanding of the functions, powers and policy-making processes of the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Executive
-an ability to analyze contemporary Scottish politics and political development in light of relevant conceptual tools and theoretical discussions on nationalism and the state
-to situate Scottish political and constitutional development in a comparative UK and international context
-development of research and analytical abilities, through guided research in preparation for coursework, exams and seminars
-development of skills in oral and written communication and presentation, nurtured in seminar activities and essay construction and feedback.