2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PIED3155 British Political Parties

20 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Dr David Seawright
Email: D.Seawright@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

Module replaces

PIED2150 Politics of the Conservative Party

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

The module offers a theoretical explanation of the role and functions of British political parties. Utilising such theories, models and typologies of parties the module considers the functions which political parties perform in liberal democracies with particular reference to the British political party system. The module examines the organisation which parties develop, both as a result of their historical circumstances and their attempts to deal with their current roles. The module offers the opportunity to explore, in depth, party ideologies of the main British parties, their structures and strategies and to examine whether the parties remain important in the contemporary body politic. We also examine the problem of power relationships, both within the political parties and between the parties and their environment, with particular emphasis placed upon the environment faced by British political parties.For further information see the School of Politics and International Studies website. If you cannot find the answer to your question then email D.Seawright@leeds.ac.uk

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

a) demonstrate a critical awareness of the functions which political parties perform with particular emphasis on the parties of the United Kingdom.
b) demonstrate an in depth knowledge of the organisational structure that parties develop, both as a result of their historical circumstances and their attempts to deal with their current roles.
c) demonstrate a command of a range of literature on theories of political parties and more specifically on British political parties.
d) demonstrate an appraisal of competing theories about the politics of Political Parties and make independent assessments of key issues and debates in the study of Parties.
e) demonstrate an appraisal of the problem of power structures, both within parties and the power relationships that exist between parties and their environment.
f) demonstrate the use of their analytical skills to undertake independent research within the structure of a guided and indicative reading list.

Syllabus

The aim of the module is to consider the functions which political parties perform in liberal democracies with particular reference to the British political party system. The module examines the organisation which parties develop, both as a result of their historical circumstances and their attempts to deal with their current roles. The module offers the opportunity to explore, in depth, party ideologies of the main British parties, their structures and strategies and to examine whether the parties remain important in the contemporary body politic. We also examine the problem of power relationships, both within the political parties and between the parties and their environment, with particular emphasis placed upon the environment faced by British political parties.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Seminar	11	1.00	11.00
Private study hours			179.00
Total Contact hours			21.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

10 hours preparation per class meeting: 110 hours;
Writing up and preparing course work: 69 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

One 2,000 word non assessed essay handed in week 8.

Methods of assessment

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	3 hr 00 mins	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 03/04/2009

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