Scottish Politics (S2) (U03005)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : SPS-3-U03002

The course provides a basic introduction to Scottish politics. It considers the nature of Scottish autonomy and institutions within the British state. It examines the development of the national movement, and analyses the factors underpinning support for the Scottish Parliament.
It considers the nature and extent of the 1997 devolution settlement and provides an understanding of the powers and structures of the Scottish Executive and Scottish Parliament, the Scottish party system and the policy-making process. Scottish political identities and party politics
are also considered in comparative perspective.
Please also refer to the Political Internship website

? Keywords : Please refer to the 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 2 (Blocks 3-4)

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

? Additional Class Information : Please refer to the Political Internship website

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Students should be familiar with the history of Devolution and the establishment of the Scottish Parliament, including the Constitutional Convention and the Consultative Steering Group. Student should have learned how the Scottish Parliament works, how it is elected, and how law is being proposed and made in the Parliament and its Committees.
Students should have a sufficient grasp of how the Scottish multi-party system works and be able to identify what the parties in the Scottish Parliament stand for. They should have a firm understanding about the main political issues dealt with in the Parliament, the main policies which have been implemented since 1999, and the differences between
Parliament and Executive. The should be aware of Scotland's relationship with the UK, with the other devolved territories' institutions, and Scotland's international relations in the European Union and beyond. Students should be familiar with the academic writing about Devolution
and the Scottish Parliament, and research which has been undertaken into the impact of Devolution on Scottish public life.
Please also refer to the Political Internship website

Assessment Information

Assessment will be based on two pieces of work: a short mid-term project worth 40% and a final class exam worth 60% of the final grade. For the mid-term project, students will be required to write a briefing paper (max 3 pages) on an aspect of Scottish politics.