Politics

The Neoliberal Age? Making Sense of Political and Social Change in Modern Britain

Module code: L2113
Level 6
30 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Lecture, Seminar
Assessment modes: Dissertation

Since 1945, the UK has experienced significant political realignments, civil war, the loss of empire, and the emergence of new social movements and NGOs.

Questions about the role of the state, free markets, social rights, and citizenship have provoked controversial debates about whether contemporary British history can be characterised as the ‘age of neoliberalism’. This module explores these debates ‘from below’ and asks: how have ordinary people understood, discussed and shaped social and political change in modern Britain?

The module will introduce you to various sources and research methods, and guide you in applying these methods to a relevant dissertation topic.

Module learning outcomes

• Critically evaluate debates within political science and history about the causes and consequences of social and political change in post-war Britain.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply relevant theoretical perspectives to a case study relating to social and political change in post-war Britain.
• Plan and carry out a research project which identifies appropriate resources relating to social and political change in post-war Britain, and undertakes independent analysis of them.
• Produce written work that critically analyses a topic related to social and political change in post-war Britain and observes appropriate scholarly convention.