STV1560 – British Politics and institutions
Course description
Course content
This course offers analysis and discussion of the actors, institutions and selected policy areas of contemporary politics in the UK. Students are given an overview of features that are characteristic of British politics, perceived within a broader comparative perspective. Context is added through lectures devoted to three specific periods - those of ‘Thatcherism’ (1980s), New Labour (1997-2010) and Conservative hegemony in the era of Brexit (2010s). Particular attention is devoted to theories and concepts from political science, such as the Westminster model, the majoritarian electoral system and the union state.
Supplementing the lectures, additional activities are offered underway, including film screenings related to topics from the course.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
Having completed this course, students will:
- know the basic features of the main political institutions in the UK
- have insight in the history and current outlook of Britain’s main political parties
- have knowledge of the British electoral system and its consequences for political representation
- identify the characteristics of Britain as a ‘union state’
- know the key aspects of Britain’s relationship to Europe and the European Union
- have a general understanding of British foreign policy, its history and current debates
Skills
Having completed this course, students will be able to:
- apply concepts and theory to understand the working of British politics
- identify what makes the electoral system in Britain different from proportional representation
- critically reflect upon the institutions that uphold the British union, including their democratic legitimacy
- discuss the background and consequences of the Brexit referendum in 2016
- compare institutions and political actors in Britain to those of other countries
- discuss key aspects and controversies related to British foreign policy
Competences
Having completed this course, students will:
- be able to apply and assess key theories and concepts to analyse a political system
- be aware of different interpretations of political actors and events
- be critical thinkers and producers of academic texts
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Overlapping courses
- 5 credits overlap with ENG2501 – British Politics.
Teaching
Lectures.
Compulsory activities:
- Hand in a seminar paper on a specified topic related to the first six lectures.
Access to teaching:?
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, and does not have to in order to take the exam. A student who has previously been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
Four hour school exam.
You must have passed the compulsory activities in order to sit the exam.?
Previous exams and guidelines.
Examination support material
Students may use dictionaries at this exam. Dictionaries must be handed in before the examination. Please read regulations for dictionaries permitted at the examination.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.