Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL2113: Parliamentary Studies

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

  • Theoretical and historical perspectives on the UK Parliament
  • Modernisation and the structure of the UK Parliament since 1997
  • Passing legislation through the UK Parliament: The legislative cycle
  • The EU, UK politics and Parliament
  • Parliament and devolution
  • Legislative roles and parliamentary behaviour
  • Parliamentary representation and accountability
  • The UK Parliament in a comparative perspective

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
221280

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities1111 x 1 hr interactive lectures
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities1111 x 1 hr seminar discussions and simulation games
Guided independent study40Completing readings assigned for the module on a weekly basis
Guided independent study8Preparation for formative assignment. Preparing a detailed outline of the submission to the Select Committee inquiry
Guided independent study37Preparation of assignment 1 (submission to the Select Committee inquiry). Conducting research, syntethising evidence, designing recommendations for the government and writing up
Guided independent study37Preparation of assignment 2 (research essay). Conducting research, collecting and analysing data and writing up results
Guided independent study6Receiving and reflecting on feedback

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

  1. Parliamentary Research Papers (House of Commons Library/House of Lords Library) http://www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/ 
  2. Hansard (official report of parliamentary debates) https://www.hansard.parliament.uk/
  3. Committee publications http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/committees/select-committeepublications/ 
  4. UK Government Departmental sites http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/index.htm 
  5. UK Cabinet Office website http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/
  6. They Work For You http://www.theyworkforyou.com
  7. Hansard Society http://www.hansardsociety.org.uk
  8. The Constitution Unit http://www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit
  9. The Study of Parliament Group http://www.studyofparliament.org.uk
  10. History of Parliament Trust http://www.histparl.ac.uk
  11. The Inter-Parliamentary Union http://www.ipu.org/english/home.htm
  12. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Union http://www.cpahq.org/cpahq/mem/default.aspx
  13. PSA Specialist Group on Parliaments and Legislatures http://www.psa.ac.uk/spgrp/33/ParlLeg.aspx
  14. Institute for Government http://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
  15. Westminster Foundation for Democracy http://www.wfd.org