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
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 18 | 1:00 | 18:00 | Recorded, non-synchronous personal capture videos |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 128:00 | 128:00 | N/A |
| Structured Guided Learning | Academic skills activities | 9 | 3:00 | 27:00 | Guided readings, guided questions and tasks based on reading, lecture and seminar content |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 9 | 1:00 | 9:00 | Synchronous seminars |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Scheduled on-line contact time | 9 | 1:00 | 9:00 | Optional synchronous Q&A feedback hour with module leader |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 9 | 1:00 | 9:00 | Synchronous topic review with module leader |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The recorded non-synchronous video content introduces students to the key features of the economic, social, ideational and international contexts of British politics. In addition, they serve to outline and illustrate the principal concepts and theories available in understanding these contexts.
The seminars provide a synchronous environment in which students can explore their understanding of, and offer critical evaluation of these empirical, conceptual, and theoretical issues.
The one hour topic review provides students with the opportunity to ask questions on a specific topic and the module leader may also use the time to expand upon and clarify material on that topic.
The one hour drop-in/surgery provides students the chance to ask general questions of the module leader.
The structured guided learning activities allow students to check and extend their knowledge and understanding of the empirical, conceptual and theoretical content of the module.
Assessment Methods
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prof skill assessmnt | 1 | M | 25 | Weekly online guided tasks and questions. Seminar contributions and seminar summary report. |
| Essay | 1 | M | 75 | 3000 words |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The professional skills assessment is designed to foster and check self-managed learning during the module. It is comprised of completion of weekly guided tasks to be completed online, assessment of student contributions to online group discussions, and the completion of a summary report of the discussion in one seminar meeting.
The 3,000 word essay will require students to synthesise material from several topics and explore these in greater depth. It will assess the student’s ability to place, synthesise and critically evaluate the material covered in scheduled and guided learning and that drawn from their own independent research
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- POL2045's Timetable