PO2BGP: British Government and Politics

Module code: PO2BGP

Module provider: Politics; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Miriam Sorace, email: m.sorace@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: Micro placement

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 23 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module helps students understand the workings of British politics and offers them an introduction to key debates in academic scholarship related to British politics. The module thus provides students with a foundational knowledge of the workings of government and parliament and discusses a range of related topics such as elections and vote choice, political parties, the relationship between government and the judiciary and the system of devolution. Throughout the module we will have discussions on current events and review them through the lens of scholarship on British politics. Students will develop and refine their written and oral skills, as well as their ability to interpret visual data.In the second semester students have the opportunity to conduct a micro-placement so that they can put some of their new knowledge into practice.  

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Identify and evaluate the main structures of the British political and governmental system and their inter-relations 
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key scholarly debates in the field of British Politics and evaluate different points of view 
3. Develop a research question relating to British politics and develop and execute a research project either through a placement or a research report 
4. Effectively organise and communicate arguments both in written and oral fashion 

Module content

Topics will include (non-exhaustive list): 

1. The British Political System 
2. Parliament & Government 
3. The Judiciary 
4. Elections & Voters 
5. Political Parties  
6. Devolution 

These topics will be discussed using academic scholarship as well as recent examples and case-studies where available. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

In the first semester the module will be taught through weekly lectures and seminars. Lectures give a broad overview of the week’s topic whereas seminars provide in-depth discussion and development of skills required for the assessments.  

In the second semester students will either complete a micro-placement or work on their independent research project related to British politics. There will be a 2-hour feedback session in the second semester for students to discuss their ideas and progress on their placement or research report.  

Study hours

At least 22 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Students receive feedback for their placement or independent research project in a 2-hour feedback session in semester 2. 

Reassessment

Additional costs