Government and Politics in the United Kingdom (S1) (U03001)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : SPS-3-U03001

The course provides an overview of the government and politics of the United Kingdom. It examines the development of the UK state, the impact of constitutional reform and European integration, the nature of the British party system and ideological change, the electoral system and
its consequences. It is intended to give students an insight into key features of the British political system, to provide insight into the relative strength and positions occupied by the main parties, and to provide an understanding of the continuing relevance of the UK politics for Scotland.
Please also refer to Political Internship website.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : This course is PART OF THE POLITICAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME and is ONLY available to students on the Political Internship Programme.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

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

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 5 weeks

? Additional Class Information : Please refer to Political Internship website

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Students should be familiar with UK government structures and the main UK political players and what they stand for by the end of the course; they should have developed an understanding of the UK constitutional framework and its changes over time. Students should have an overview of
the academic literature on British politics, and be able to analyse the current political issues in the UK. In view of the relationship between the UK and Scotland after Devolution, students should have developed a sense of the power relations between UK and Scottish political
institutions and structures. Students should also be aware of the position of the UK within the European Union and the controversial issues involved in that relationship. They should have acquired the ability to assess newspaper and journal articles on the political process and have an understanding of the British state in order to understand Scotland's position in the UK. Finally, students should have acquainted themselves with the politics and government in the other devolved territories, Wales, Northern Ireland and Greater London and be able to draw comparisons.
Please also refer to Political Internship website.

Assessment Information

Assessment will be based on one short tutorial assignment, worth 20% of the overall grade, and one long essay of around 2,000 words, worth 80% of the overall grade.