The Internship Programme
Programme of Studies
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The Internship Programme
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Courses - Spring 2007On this page: Government and Politics in the United KingdomProfessor Charlie Jeffery Dr Fiona Mackay Course AimsThe course provides an overview of the government and politics of the United Kingdom. It examines the development of the UK state, the impact of constitutional reform and European integration, the nature of the British party system and ideological change, the electoral system and its consequences. It is intended to give students an insight into key features of the British political system, to provide insight into the relative strength and positions occupied by the main parties, and to provide an understanding of the continuing relevance of the UK politics for Scotland. FormatThe course is taught in a mixture of lectures and seminars Time: Monday, 10-12 am (except Week One 2-4 pm; Week Two 9-11 am) ReadingAim for at least 3 readings for each session. Key readings are indicated. Additional readings may be used to follow up areas of particular interest, and to assist in preparing written coursework. These should be complemented by checking relevant journals: key journals include Parliamentary Affairs and Political Quarterly, and both can be accessed on-line via the University Library website. Students are also encouraged to use official websites, and find relevant articles in newspapers and the media. It is an essential requirement that students do the reading prior to coming to class. AssessmentAssessment will be based on one short assignment, worth 20% of the overall grade, and one written exam (2 March, 10-12 am) worth 80% of the overall grade. The Assignments is below; details of the exam will be distributed in class. TWO COPIES of the assignment must be submitted to the Institute of Governance Main Office ON OR BEFORE 4pm, Monday, 25 September. Extensions will only be granted in exceptional circumstances and MUST be negotiated in advance. Late submissions will be penalised. Government and Politics in the UK Short assignment (worth 20% of overall course grade) Due Date: Monday February 5, 2007 Instructions You are a political researcher for one of the US political parties, on a fact-finding trip to the UK. Select one of the UK political parties (major or minor) and prepare a 1,200 word report/briefing for your home organisation (using academic sources from the British politics reading list, supplemented by web-based resources, including party web-sites, and lecture notes). How does UK party compare with your own? You might want to consider:
ReadingsThere are many good textbooks on the UK. You are strongly recommended to purchase one of the following.
Please note that these books usually have associated websites for up to date information and analysis. The following books, which can be found in the Main Library, also contain in-depth analysis of issues and problems associated with the UK political system. The following are also very useful and each covers a number of the lecture themes: Barnett, H (2002) Britain Unwrapped:Government and Constitution Explained. Penguin Books. (on order) Birch, A H (1986, 1998) The British System of Government, 7th edition/10th edition Dunleavy P., et al (2000, 2003, 2006) Developments in British Politics 6-8 . Palgrave Fisher, J. et al. (2002) Central Debates in British Politics. Holliday, I., Gamble, A. & Parry, G. (1999) Fundamentals in British Politics Kavanagh, D. (1997) The Reordering of British Politics: Politics after Thatcher Kavanagh, D. (2000), British Politics: continuities and change (4th edition), Oxford: Oxford University Press Kingdom, J. (1999) Government and Politics in Britain: An Introduction (2nd edn) Norton, P. (2001) The British Polity (4th Edn) WebsitesConstitution Unit - briefings: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/ Hansard Society (charity that promotes effective parliamentary democracy) http://www.hansardsociety.org.uk Houses of Parliament: http://www.parliament.uk UK Government: http//www.ukonlin.gov.uk Scottish Executive: http://www.scotland.gov.uk (for White Papers, reports, etc.) Scottish Parliament: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk National Assembly for Wales: http://www.wales.gov.uk Scottish Affairs: http://www.scottishaffairs.org/ Political Studies Association at: http://www.psa.ac.uk/ Social Science Information Gateway at: http://www.sosig.ac.uk/politics/ Fawcett (feminist research and lobby organisation) http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/ Lecture Programme
download lecture programme and reading lists (Word format)
Scottish PoliticsProf David McCrone Course AimsThe course provides a basic introduction to Scottish politics. It considers the nature of Scottish autonomy and institutions within the British state. It examines the development of the national movement, and analyses the factors underpinning support for the Scottish Parliament. It considers the nature and extent of the 1997 devolution settlement and provides an understanding of the powers and structures of the Scottish Executive and Scottish Parliament, the Scottish party system and the policy-making process. Scottish political identities and party politics are also considered in comparative perspective. FormatThe class meets on Tuesdays from 10:00 to 12:00 in the Seminar Room in Chisholm House. The course will involve a combination of lectures and tutorials. Students are expected to read the prescribed texts prior to class in order to respond constructively to lectures and participate fully in class discussions. The lectures and tutorials will be complemented by activities in the afternoon, including visits to the Scottish Parliament and Edinburgh City Chambers. AssessmentAssessment will be based on two pieces of work: a short mid-term project worth 40% and a final class exam worth 60% of the final grade. For the mid-term project, students will be required to write a briefing paper (max 3 pages) on an aspect of Scottish politics. Two copies of the paper should be submitted to the Institute of Governance Main Office, by 12:00 on Friday, 2 February. The class exam will be held on Friday, 23 February, 10:00-12:00. The exam will be designed to test knowledge and understanding acquired through readings, lectures and tutorial discussions. Useful Websites1. Scottish Parliament: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/ We will issue you with key documents:(a) SPICE, Scottish Elections 2003 Recommended textsLynch, P (2001) Scottish Government and Politics, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Additional Essential ReadingAlexander, W. ed. (2005) Donald Dewar: Scotland’s first First Minister, Edinburgh: The 300th anniversary of the Union of Parliaments has been greeted by a flurry of publications: Michael Fry, The Union: England, Scotland and the Treaty of 1707, Edinburgh: Birlinn, Lecture Programme
download lecture programme and reading lists (Word format)
Scottish Society and CultureEberhard 'Paddy' Bort Course AimsThis course intends to give the interns an introduction to Scottish society and culture, tying in with aspects of politics and governance taught in the other courses. Scotland being an old country, with a long national history, means that many sociological features have been long in the making; Scotland being a small country, particularly in terms of population, affects the form and frequency of social interaction. The course will progress from the larger context of the economic, social and cultural history and identity of modern Scotland and the examination of key institutions which shape Scottish life, on to social groupings and, finally, to expressions of culture and the arts, especially the literature of Scotland. FormatIn general, the morning sessions will be in the lecture/seminar format, and the afternoon programme will involve visits to various Edinburgh sites (museums, galleries, etc) to provide complementary channels of learning. Students will be asked to make presentations (based on readings) and lead specific discussions. Newspapers and other media offer a way in to topical issues of sociological and cultural importance – students are advised to make good us of these sources. Students should keep a diary of news items, particularly if there is a hint that these sociological or cultural processes ‘play out’ differently than they might do in the US (or the UK). AssessmentStudents must complete an essay (topics will be provided by lecturer).of 2,000-3000 words, which has to be submitted (two copies) by Monday, 26 February ‘07 to the main office of the Institute of Governance, Chisholm House. Extensions will only be granted if requested before the deadline, and in exceptional circumstances. Late work will be penalised! Core TextsThe core texts for the course are: Devine, T.M. and Finlay, R.J., eds. (1996) Scotland in the Twentieth
Century, Additional Essential ReadingBrown, A., McCrone, D. and Paterson, L. (1998) Politics and Society in Scotland, 2nd ed., Basingstoke: Macmillan [esp. chaps.1, 8 & 9]. Paterson, L. (1994) The Autonomy of Modern Scotland, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. Paterson, L, Bechhofer, F and McCrone, D (2004) Living in Scotland: Social and Economic Change since 1980 Edinburgh University Press Hassan, G and Warhurst, C, eds (2002) Tomorrow's Scotland, London: Lawrence and Wishart. Hassan, G and Warhurst, C, eds (2002) Anatomy of the New Scotland: Power, Influence and Change, Edinburgh: Mainstream. McCrone, D, Morris, A and Kiely, R (1999) Scotland the Brand: The Making of Scottish Heritage, Edinburgh: Polygon. Paterson, L, Brown, A, Curtice, J, Hinds, K, McCrone, D, Park, A, Sproston, K and Surridge, P (2001) New Scotland, New Politics?, Edinburgh: Polygon. Curtice, J, McCrone, D, Park, A and Paterson, L, eds (2002) New Scotland, New Society?, Edinburgh: Polygon. Harvie, C (2002) Scotland: A Short History, Oxford: Oxford University Press. Gardiner, M (2005) Modern Scottish Culture, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Lecture Programme
download lecture programme and reading lists (Word format)
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This page last updated 1 March 2007. |
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