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This course invites learners on an exploration of institutions, debates and personalities that have been influencing the British political landscape. We will try and examine where the power resides in our constitutional system, critique centralized political decision making and question how current debates square with democratic principles of societal pluralism. The course takes learners on a journey through under-examined aspects of British histories, cultures, and politics. We conceptualize the body politic as something that we all have the capacity to shape, and that we are all a part of, rather than something that is remote and inaccessible.
In many respects the course tackles the themes of traditional British politics courses, but will provide a fresh new set of perspectives. In this context we ask how inequalities ripple through contemporary Britain and relate to the challenges liberal democracy needs to find answers to. The idea is that by exploring different positionalities and perspectives, some of the long-standing fracture lines in British society and politics can become better understood. Further, the course presents a version of politics in which power is dispersed throughout civil society, rather than held centrally in Westminster.
This is an introductory course on contemporary British politics, and therefore requires no previous political science knowledge.
What will we cover?
Profile of political decision makers
Elections, referenda and campaigns
Political parties and evolving ideologies
Institutions of government and constitutional reform
Domestic politics and policies
British involvement in international politics
The UK’s relationship with the European Union
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
appreciate the interaction between citizens and political institutions
understand how political decisions are made in the Westminster system of government
recognize the levers of power and the people who wield them
assess the domestic issues that shape public discourse
discuss constructively how the United Kingdom engages with partners and competitors in Europe and beyond
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Some background knowledge about current debates in British politics would be useful but is not essential. There will be core readings provided to students before lessons so that everyone can get familiarized with the themes/issues to be explored and discussed in each session. An open mind and a willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
A mixture of lectures/ short presentations by the tutor and class discussions. A comprehensive bibliography will be posted at the beginning of the course. Also, (brief) reading materials will be handed out during each session. Participants will be encouraged to read short texts, and/or watch documentaries/short videos, and/or listen to short podcasts in British politics (past and current) before and after lessons. Please note, that as the course progresses, participants are prompted to take a more active part in the course – this will be achieved through a mixture of smaller group work but also class discussions.
A list of further readings will be provided to participants. The list will include suggestions of books to purchase, as well as of free resources such as newspapers, podcasts, online articles, and videos. While you are not required to buy any of these, you may wish to purchase some books, subscribe to specialized magazines, or attend talks or webinars on the issue of British politics in order to deepen and broaden the subject knowledge gained in this course. However, this is not a requirement.
See how long it will take you to get to college. Please select the campus of the course you wish to study.