Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook
This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2006-2007 (archived)

Module POLI2101: THE BRITISH POLITICAL SYSTEM

Department: Government and International Affairs (Politics)

POLI2101: THE BRITISH POLITICAL SYSTEM

TypeLevelCreditsAvailabilityModule CapLocation
Open 2 20 Available in 2006/2007 None. Durham

Pre-requisites

  • Introduction to Politics: State and Society (POLI1021).

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combinations

  • None.

Aims

  • The module will identify, consider and appraise the distinctive institutional, functional and operational characteristics of the British political system.
  • An important focus will be the relationships between the various institutions and actors that make up the system.

Content

  • In this module students are expected to acquire knowledge and understanding of: the institutional components of the British state.
  • the role and histories of the main political parties.
  • sources of policy.
  • the durability and legitimacy of the institutions of government.
  • the scope for change under existing electoral arrangements.
  • the impact on Parliamentary sovereignty of further European integration.
  • Students will also develop their skills in the acquisition and effective utilisation of information.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge
  • .
Subject-specific Skills
Key Skills

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • .

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotal HoursAttendance Monitored
Lectures 21 Weekly 1 hour 21
Tutorials 7 Spread evenlly 1 hour 7
Preparation and Reading 172
Total 200

Summative Assessment

ComponentComponent WeightingElementLength/DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Examination 100% two-hour written examination 100%

Formative Assessment

2 essays; 2 tutorial presentations

Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.