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

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Basic reading:

  • Leston-Bandeira, C. and Thompson, L. (eds.) 2018. Exploring Parliament. Oxford: OUP.
  • Norton, P. 2013. Parliament in British Politics, 2nd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

Additional readings:

  • Bogdanor, V. 1999. Devolution in the United Kingdom. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Cowley. P. 2002. Revolts and Rebellions, Parliamentary Voting under Blair. London: Politico.
  • Deschouwer, K. and Depauw, S. (eds). 2014. Representing the people: a survey among members of state-wide and sub-state parliaments. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Flinders, M. 2002. ‘Shifting the balance? Parliament, the Executive and the British constitution’, Political Studies 50(1): 23-42.
  • Geddes, A. 2013. Britain and the European Union. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Goldsworthy, J. 1999. The Sovereignty of Parliament: Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Kelso, A. 2009/13. Parliamentary Reform at Westminster. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
  • Rehfeld, A. 2006. The Concept of Constituency: Political Representation, Democratic Legitimacy, and Institutional Design Cambridge: Cambrige University Press.
  • Robert, R. and Walters, R. 2006. How Parliament Works. Harlow: Pearson Longman.
  • Russell, M. 2013. The Contemporary House of Lords: Bicameralism Revived. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Searing, D. 1994. Westminster's world: Understanding political roles. Harvard University Press.
  • Thompson, L. 2015. Making British Law, Committees in Action. Basingstoke: Palgrave.