POL1015 : UK Politics: Westminster and Beyond
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Geoff Horn
- Co-Module Leader: Dr Nick Randall
- Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module aims to explore important features and trends in UK politics. The module will first examine continuity, change and contestation within the core institutions of the UK political system; it will then move on to analyse key economic, social and ideational institutions and relationships, and how these relate to government policies and social theory.
The module aims:
• To secure a foundational knowledge and understanding of the key institutions, relationships and theories related to UK politics.
• To evaluate relevant concepts, issues and debates relating to UK politics.
• To assess contemporary challenges and pressures, and how these continue to shape the character of UK politics
Outline Of Syllabus
Topics likely to be covered include: (1) Introduction: The Westminster Model (2) UK Constitution and Courts; (3) UK Parliament: the House of Commons; (4) UK Parliament: The House of Lords (5) UK Government: PM and Cabinet; (6) UK Government: Ministers & Civil Service; (7) Devolution: Scotland and Wales; (8) Local Government in England; (9) The ‘Troubles’ and the devolution settlement in Northern Ireland; (10) Simulation Assessment Briefing; (11) UK Elections and Electoral Systems; (12) UK Parties and Party Systems; (13) Class and UK Politics; (14) Gender and UK Politics; (15) The Politics of ‘Race’ and Ethnicity in UK Politics; (16) The Media and UK Politics; (17) The Power of Business in UK Politics; (18) Empire and Decolonisation in UK Politics; (19) The UK’s Relationship with Europe; (20) The UK’s ‘Special Relationship’ with the United States; (21) The UK’s Military Interventions Overseas; (22) Revision lecture
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 1:30 | 16:30 | 11 x 1.5 hours (90 mins) Present-in-Person lectures on economic, social and ideational institutions |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | 11 x 1 hour Present-in-Person (PiP) lectures on the key institutions of the UK political system |
| Structured Guided Learning | Academic skills activities | 11 | 5:00 | 55:00 | Quizzes, required readings and seminar preparation. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 8 | 1:30 | 12:00 | 8 x 1.5 hour Present-in-Person (PiP) seminars (12 hours total) |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 105:30 | 105:30 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The lectures will introduce students to the key information, concepts and debates that will provide the basis for independent study and seminar discussions. These lectures will draw upon a range of themes, with theoretical and empirical examples drawn from the relevant literature on UK politics.
The seminars will provide an environment in which students can explore and deepen their understanding of the issues raised in lectures and readings. This will be done through a simulation-based approach, in which students role-play a real-world political scenario. This experiential approach to learning will be used to explore the key issues and arguments related to the course, provide the context in which students will develop many of the skills outcomes associated with the module, and help develop critical thinking and in-depth knowledge of the core topics. The seminars, with their requirement for advance preparation, will promote self-management skills, while seminar discussions will provide opportunities to develop and enhance interaction and group-working skills.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 90 | 2 | A | 50 | Digital in-person exam (Inspera): An essay-style digital exam. Students will answer one question. Students will be permitted to take a restricted quantity of printed notes into the exam (1,000 words) |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prof skill assessmnt | 2 | M | 20 | Seminar contributions assessed according to a set criteria |
| Practical/lab report | 2 | M | 30 | 1 x 1.5hr simulation assessment |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
1. A simulation-based approach to seminar learning provides students with the means to improve transferrable (employability) skills, via role-playing exercises related to relevant topics in UK politics. The key skills include preparation, oral presentation, problem solving and team working.
Professional skills will be assessed through seminar contributions (20%). This will be conceived as a formative assessment, through which students will integrate into simulation groups and practice the simulation format and approach. Seminar attendance and contributions are therefore crucial as preparation for the final summative simulation assessment (30%). This final simulation assessment will be based on a topic drawn from the first half of the syllabus.
The seminar contributions (20%) will be assessed according to the following criteria: authoritative use of relevant ideas and evidence that provide useful insights and direction for discussions; key points and/or questions that are well substantiated and perceptive; active engagement that enhances the overall quality of seminar discussions. The simulation assessment (30%) will be assessed according to a set criteria based on four key elements: preparation, content (knowledge & understanding), teamwork and presentation skills.
2. The unseen examination (50%) will assess students understanding of key institutions, relationships and theories based on topics drawn from the second half of the syllabus.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- POL1015's Timetable