PIR-30160 - Module Specification
School of Social, Political and Global Studies
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
For academic year: 2022/23 Last Updated: 19 January 2023
PIR-30160 - Parliamentary Studies
Coordinator: Philip Catney Room: CBA2.028 Tel: +44 1782 7 33346
School Office:
Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23
Available as a Free Standing Elective
Co-requisites
None
Prerequisites
None
Barred Combinations
None
Description for 2022/23
Parliament has never seemed more relevant to political life in the UK and this module aims to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of how the UK Parliament works in both theory and practice. Taught in conjunction with staff from the Westminster Parliament, the module examines the increasing prominence of Parliament as an actor in policy-making in the twenty-first century, particularly in the context of Brexit. The module gives students the tools to understand the role of Parliament in shaping the policy and politics in the twenty-first century.
Aims
This module aims to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of how the UK Parliament works in both theory and practice. It seeks to examine the increasing importance of Parliament as an actor in policy-making in the twenty-first century. The module aims to enhance both the subject-specific knowledge of students about the operation of Parliament, but it also seeks to develop the analytical skills of students (principally through engagement with advanced interpretive frameworks) and their practical-orientated capabilities (e.g. in writing policy briefs, media training and so on).
Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/pir-30160/lists
Intended Learning Outcomes
evaluate scholarly accounts of legislatures and legislative decision-making in the context of the UK Parliament
: 1,2
assess the role of the UK Parliament in the policy process in comparison with other legislatures: 1,2
apply theoretical/analytical frameworks from legislative studies and public policy to features of parliamentary practice and public policy outputs: 1,2
develop skills in identifying and analysing rhetoric: 1,2
: 1,2
assess the role of the UK Parliament in the policy process in comparison with other legislatures: 1,2
apply theoretical/analytical frameworks from legislative studies and public policy to features of parliamentary practice and public policy outputs: 1,2
develop skills in identifying and analysing rhetoric: 1,2
Study hours
20 hours: 10 two-hour lecture/seminars
12 hours: Day-trip to Westminster (free of charge for students)
42 hours: Preparation and completion of portfolio components
76 hours: Preparation and completion of 2,500-word report
12 hours: Day-trip to Westminster (free of charge for students)
42 hours: Preparation and completion of portfolio components
76 hours: Preparation and completion of 2,500-word report
School Rules
Entry to the module will be by application and judged by the module team.
Description of Module Assessment
A 2500-word research report analysing Parliament's role in making and shaping public policy
A 2500-word research report analysing the formulation and evolution policy as it makes its way through the parliamentary process (UK-focused but also potentially comparative in nature).
2: Portfolio weighted 40%
Portfolio
Students will compile a portfolio from two pieces of work. These assessments are: 1) Rapid policy briefs (~1000 words); 2) draft parliamentary questions/answers (~1000 words).