- Academic Registry
Course & Unit Catalogues


PL22061: Parliament in modern British politics

[Page last updated: 03 June 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Credits: 5 [equivalent to 10 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 100
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: CWRI 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Report Individual (CWRI 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:
* describe the origins and formal functions of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords;
* critically assess the ability of the contemporary Parliament to fulfill these functions;
* understand the role of political parties as the managers of Parliament;
* assess the ways in which Parliament represents different sections of the UK population;
* understand how devolution has affected the role of Parliament in modern British politics;
* discuss parliamentary reform in the context of political disengagement and political fragmentation.


Synopsis: You will learn about how Parliament works in modern Britain, both in theory and practice. The course is led by teaching staff with expertise in this area.

Content: The unit will cover the following topics:
* the legislative process
* the role of select committees
* parliament and Europe
* the role and reform of the House of Lords
* Who are our MPs?
* Parliament and gender
* The role of an MP
* Parliamentary reform and public opinion

Course availability:

PL22061 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AKB67 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio French) with year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB68 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio German) with year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB71 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio Italian) with year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB72 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio Mandarin) with year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB70 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio Russian) with year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB69 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio Spanish) with year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB67 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (French) with year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB68 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (German) with year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB69 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (Spanish) with year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AFB53 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB53 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations with professional placement (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB53 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations with professional placement and study abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB53 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations with study abroad (Year 2)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.