Politics

Parties and Voters in the UK

Module code: M1007
Level 6
30 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Seminar
Assessment modes: Dissertation

This module focuses on the study of parties and voters in the UK, one of the core topics in British political science. Emphasis is given primarily to contemporary change rather than historical background. Topics and themes covered include: party system change in the UK; historical origins of the party system; electoral behaviour and party competition; party ideologies and programmatic development; intra-party conflict and cohesion; party organisational change; the party system and the political system.

Module learning outcomes

• Make use of constructive feedback on the development of their ideas in the implementation of a research topic related to political parties and voters
• Locate and evaluate a range of resources appropriate to a topic on political parties and voters
• Plan and carry out a research project relating to UK political parties and voters which sustains a line of argument
• Identify a topic suitable for research relating to UK political parties and voters