Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL2113: Parliamentary Studies

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

Module Aims

This module aims to foster your understanding of the many facets of Parliament – from the structure, functions and internal working of parliamentary bodies to inter-parliamentary relations between the UK Parliament and European institutions and devolved legislatures of the UK.

In addition to the institutional set-up, it aims to examine parliamentary politics by focusing on behaviours and legislative roles of parliamentarians, as well as their relationships with constituents, political parties and the British public using a series of simulation games and interactive activities.

Finally, it aims to build confidence and proficiency in the use of parliamentary language and writing styles, thus enabling you to write for political practitioners in the future.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Show understanding of the internal organisation and the relationships between and within UK parliamentary structures, as well as the mechanics of the legislative process
2. Demonstrate awareness of debates regarding (1) the relationship between the executive and Parliament; (2) modernisation and reform of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and (3) the relationships of Parliament with devolved legislatures and with the EU institutions
3. Identify, explain and discuss the roles of Members of the House of Commons and Lords and the dynamics and effectiveness of parliamentary scrutiny and of parliamentary accountability
Discipline-Specific Skills4. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the main issues shaping the future development of legislatures, including the UK Parliament
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the main theoretical and methodological approaches to legislative studies
6. Select and present in a coherent way, orally and in writing, empirical and theoretical arguments relevant to the study of Parliament
7. Collect, synthesise and analysis evidence, as well as present it in a coherent way in response to both academic and practitioners’ inquiries
Personal and Key Skills8. Select, critically engage with and manage relevant learning resources and information and to develop own, evidence-based arguments
9. Organise study time, plan and undertake assigned tasks, as well as reflect on and integrate oral and written feedback, individually and in collaboration with peers
10. Communicate effectively and accurately, orally and in writing, to academic and political practitioner (i.e. parliamentary) audiences

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