PO3PAR-Parliamentary Studies

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Mark Shanahan
Email: m.j.shanahan@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This highly innovative module, taught both for final year undergrads and PIM84 Masters students working together, is co-taught by parliamentary practitioners and experts alongside staff and members from the Department of Politics & IR. This module provides students with an understanding of the working and impact of the institution of Parliament both in theory and in practice. 

Aims:

Students will develop a detailed knowledge and understanding of the functions and workings of the UK Parliament, and how Parliament fits within the wider UK political system. This understanding will be based on real-world engagement with Parliamentary officials and parliamentarians as well as the insights of scholarly research. Students will also develop practical skills in interpreting current parliamentary activity in light of existing scholarly literature relevant to Parliament. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will:

• understand the functions and workings of the UK Parliament and how Parliament fits within the wider UK political system;


• understand and engage with debates about the efficacy of Parliament, how Parliament has evolved over time, and how Parliament might be reformed in the future to improve that efficacy;


• understand in detail the activities of one particular part of Pa rliament and interpret how this relates to the roles of that part of Parliament and of Parliament as a whole.

Additional outcomes:
Students£ understanding of and engagement with British politics and democratic politics more generally will be enhanced through direct experience £ both through a trip to Parliament and through participation in seminars with a range of parliamentarians and parliamentary officials.

Outline content:

The module will introduce students to Parliament’s history and current function.  Working with parliamentary officials, experts and Members, we will explore and assess the key elements of the institution including:

• how legislation is made;


• the relationship between Parliament and Government;


• the House of Lords;


• Select Committees;


• devolved powers;


• the role of the media.
  

The module also includes two funded trips to a devolved Parliament and to Westminster.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Key topics are considered via a combination of lectures and small group seminars within two-hour weekly teaching sessions. Generally, sessions will begin with an interactive lecture. This will be followed by small-group discussion, presentations focused on specific questions and role play relating to assessed project work. Each session requires preparatory reading. In addition, this module includes trips to a devolved assembly and to Parliament where travel expenses will be covered. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars		20
External visits		16
Guided independent study:		164
Total hours by term	0		0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	30
Report	40
Oral assessment and presentation	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:
There is no examination

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students will write one essay of 3,000 words (+/- 10%) in response to questions set by the Convener. This assignment is worth 40% of the overall mark. In addition,  students will prepare and deliver a research based group presentation on a subject agreed with the module convener.  This part of the coursework provides 30% of the module mark.  Following the group assessed presentation, students will write a 2,000 word reflective essay on their research and presentation, also worth 30% of the overall module score.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
40%

Reassessment arrangements:
Candidates who fail their final year normally have the right to be re-examined on one further occasion at the next opportunity. These candidates will not normally be eligible for Honours (ie., only a £Pass£ classification would be attainable). Students who are eligible for re-assessment have the right to re-assessment in all elements even if they have previously passed one of those elements. It is expected, however, that the majority of students would probably elect not to repeat an element in which they had already passed, in which case the confirmed marks would be carried forward.

Coursework: Failed or missing coursework should be re-submitted by 1st August, emailed directly to politics@reading.ac.uk, AND submitted on Blackboard.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:

2) Specialist equipment or materials:

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:

4) Printing and binding:

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: circa £20 – other required travel will be covered by the department. 

Last updated: 8 April 2021