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Module

POL2045 : British Politics: State and Society

  • Offered for Year: 2020/21
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Nick Randall
  • Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0

Aims

The module aims to explore the interplay of the UK state and society by analysing key features of the context within which British politics is situated. It will examine key economic, social and ideational institutions and relationships, analyse major trends in relation to these and relate them to both government policies and central bodies of contemporary social theory.

Outline Of Syllabus

Topics to be covered could include:

1.       Introduction to the module
2.       Theories of British Politics: The Westminster Model and Beyond
3.       The Changing Character of the British State
4.       Parties, State and Society: 1945-1974 – The Rise and Fall of the ‘Postwar Consensus’
5.       Parties, State and Society: The Rise and Fall(?) of Neoliberalism
6.       The UK State and the Performance of the UK Economy
7.       The UK State and the Power of Organised Labour
8.       The UK State and the Power of Business
9.       Class and UK Politics.
10.       Gender and UK Politics
11.       The Politics of ‘Race’ and Ethnicity in the UK
12.       The ‘Troubles’ and ‘Peace’ in Northern Ireland
13.       The Media and UK Politics
14.       Britain’s World Role: Losing an Empire? Finding a Role?
15.       Britain’s World Role: The Anglo-American Relationship
16.       Britain’s World Role: Europe and Brexit – The Return or the End of UK Politics?
17.       Leading the UK State
18.       Structure and Agency in British politics

Teaching Methods

Module leaders are revising this content in light of the Covid 19 restrictions.
Revised and approved detail information will be available by 17 August.

Assessment Methods

Module leaders are revising this content in light of the Covid 19 restrictions.
Revised and approved detail information will be available by 17 August.

Reading Lists

Timetable