Undergraduate Course: Contemporary British Conservatism (HIST10343)

Course Outline
School	School of History, Classics and Archaeology	College	College of Humanities and Social Science
Credit level (Normal year taken)	SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate)	Availability	Available to all students
SCQF Credits	20	ECTS Credits	10
Summary	This course will introduce students to contemporary British conservatism. It will assess issues relating to Conservative party politics and challenge students to develop a sophisticated understanding of conservative ideas and philosophy. This is a timely area for investigation given the current ascendancy of David Cameron's Conservative party. Students will seek to develop an understanding of what 'conservatism' is; explore conservative views on human nature, authority, private property, and the organisation of society; grapple with challenging ethical and social principles; examine the fortunes of the Conservative party under Thatcher and its subsequent history; consider Cameron's 'Big Society' project and the relationship between modern conservatism and British society in 2011; compare conservatism to rival doctrines; and assess the linkage between conservatism and the Conservative party. The course will represent a thought-provoking excursion into an important but sometimes neglected political space, and contemporary conservatism will be placed in its broader intellectual and historical context. The course is informed by the tutor's work on conservative ideas and British politics. Students will gain new skills by exploring political ideas in more depth than they have previously, as well as refining their skills of oral debate and analysis.
Course description	Not entered

Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites		Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations		Other requirements	None

Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisites	Visiting students should have at least 3 History courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses. Applicants should note that, as with other popular courses, meeting the minimum does NOT guarantee admission. as numbers are limited, visiting students should contact the Visiting Student Office directly for admission to this course

Course Delivery Information

Academic year 2014/15, Available to all students (SV1)		Quota: 22
Course Start	Semester 1
Timetable	Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info)	Total Hours: 200 ( Seminar/Tutorial Hours 22, Summative Assessment Hours 2, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 172 )
Assessment (Further Info)	Written Exam 50 %, Coursework 50 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment)	Essay (50%), exam (50%) in April When this course is taught in Semester 1, the assessment for Part-year Visiting Students only will be a 'take-home' exam in December.
Feedback	Not entered
Exam Information
Exam Diet	Paper Name		Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May)			2:00

Academic year 2014/15, Part-year visiting students only (VV1)		Quota: 4
Course Start	Semester 1
Timetable	Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info)	Total Hours: 200 ( Seminar/Tutorial Hours 22, Summative Assessment Hours 2, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 172 )
Assessment (Further Info)	Written Exam 50 %, Coursework 50 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment)	Essay (50%), exam (50%) in April When this course is taught in Semester 1, the assessment for Part-year Visiting Students only will be a 'take-home' exam in December.
Feedback	Not entered
No Exam Information

Learning Outcomes
Production of a sound analytical essay in the subject area The ability to scrutinise political ideas and analyse them in a scholarly manner Demonstrate, by way of essay and examination, a sound understanding of key issues in contemporary British conservatism Demonstrate an ability to read critically and analyse secondary sources to a satisfactory standard

Reading List
None

Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills	Not entered
Keywords	Contemporary British Con

Contacts
Course organiser	Dr Robert Crowcroft Tel: (0131 6)50 3764 Email: R.G.Crowcroft@ed.ac.uk	Course secretary	Mrs Caroline Cullen Tel: (0131 6)50 3781 Email: caroline.cullen@ed.ac.uk