Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL3242: Political Representation UK-Style

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

Module Aims

The module aims to examine trends in political representation in the UK at different levels of  politics.

It combines a theoretical and conceptual understanding of representation with concrete applications in a UK context. It  draws on academic literature, policy initiatives and empirical data from Britain and comparable cases from around the globe, as  well as the analysis of data from Hansard, devolved legislatures and local councils, the Representative Audit of Britain and the Audit of Political Engagement. Integration of comparative elements and engagement with recent experimental studies done in the UK and overseas enable students to explore practical ways of improving the quality of political representation and assess their strengths and challenges. The module builds on the existing scholarship, including theoretical (e.g., Hannah Pitkin, Anne Phillips, Jane Mansbridge, Michael Saward) and empirical (Sarah Childs, Rosie Campbell, Christina Wolbrecht) research of the concept and practice of representation. Taking this research as a starting point, the module moves beyond the traditional focus.

of parliamentary representation and representation of traditionally under-represented, visible groups such as women and ethnic minorities and applies the concept of representation to ‘invisible’ groups such as the working class, disabled and LGBTQ+ people. This broadens the scope of the module and uses the representation lens to address wider issues of dissatisfaction with the quality of democracy at different institutional levels.

The module is taught through a combination of seminars and labs. Seminars introduce students to the topic of the week while relying on students’ familiarity with the assigned readings and their participation in simulation games and exercises. Labs enable students to address representation-related questions linked to the assignments by testing theoretical and empirical models on text and survey data.

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. Demonstrate detailed knowledge of theoretical and empirical approaches to the study of representation
2. Critically evaluate and empirically apply these approaches to study political representation in the UK
Discipline-Specific Skills3. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of concepts, approaches and methodologies in the area of political representation and their social and political implications and ability to contextualise them within the broader discipline of politics
4. Develop and present coherently and reflectively, orally and in writing, evidence-based arguments relevant to the module content
Personal and Key Skills5. Communicate effectively and accurately in the content of debates and in writing in different formats, i.e. posters, research notes and reports
6. Undertake tasks and complete research assignments with minimum guidance, while critically reflecting on the learning process and feedback
7. Select, synthesise and analyse information from a range of sources to develop coherent, evidence-based and logically sound arguments

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:

  • Political representation – what is it, and why (and how) does it matter?
  • Politics of presence? Symbolic, descriptive and substantive political representation
  • Modelling and measuring political representation
  • Levels of political representation – from local to national politics
  • The under-represented (using the Audit of Political Engagement)
  • ‘The Good Parliament’ – push, pull and prevent effects of the political system on political representation
  • Changing the rules
  • Does representation trickle up or down? From Parliament to devolved legislatures to local councils – and back again

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
442560

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

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities20Seminar discussions
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities14Simulation games and exercises
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities10Primary data analysis in the labs
Guided independent study95Completing readings assigned for the module on a weekly basis
Guided independent study20Preparation of formative assignment 1 (critical reviews). Selecting and analysing 2 research articles, writing up critical reviews
Guided independent study40Preparation of assignment 1 (research essay). Conducting research, synthesing and analysing evidence, writing up results
Guided independent study30Preparation of assignment 2 (poster presentation). Conducting research, analysing data and writing up results, designing visualisations
Guided independent study14Preparation of formative assignment 2 (research report outline). Researching and writing up a research report outline
Guided independent study45Preparation of assignment 3 (research report). Conducting research, collecting and analysing data and writing up results
Guided independent study12Receiving and reflecting on feedback

Online Resources

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

Audit of Political Engagement https://www.hansardsociety.org.uk/publications/reports/audit-of-political-engagement-16

Durose, C., Gains, F., Richardson, L., Combs, R., Broome, K., & Eason, C. (2011). Pathways to Politicshttp://www.equalityhumanrights.com/publication/research-report-65-pathways-politics

Representative Audit of Britain http://parliamentarycandidates.org/project/representative-audit-of-britain/

The British Election Study https://www.britishelectionstudy.com/