Module BIC-0010:
UK Government and Society

Module Facts

Run by Bangor University International College

10.000 Credits or 5.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1 & 2

Organiser: Mrs Laura McKenzie

Overall aims and purpose

The aims of the module are to provide students with a basic introduction to government and society in the UK and within a global context. It includes an exploration of the main features of the UK government and guides students to stay up-to-date with news about developments in UK politics. It aims to introduce students to key features of British society, including a historical element briefly covering national and global developments and tuning points since 1945.

The module further aims to consider external pressure on government – citizen participation, pressure groups, NGOs and the role of the media.

Course content

The module provides students with a basic introduction to government and society in the UK, including the main features of democracy, the role of the Crown, the institutions of government and the role of parliament. It explores ideology in British politics in relation to the main political parties in the UK.

The module also explores the position of the UK following the 2016 EU referendum and considers the relationship the UK has with international organisations. It looks at the global institutions the UK is part of, including the UN, and focuses on human rights.

The aims of this module are to provide students with a basic introduction to: • how politics affects our lives • how politics can be defined and why political organisation is necessary • pressure groups and political accountability • the UK’s relationship with the EU and worldwide organisations • Human rights and the role of NGOs • key components of democracy • the role of the monarchy in the UK • political parties and ideologies • social and political developments in the UK and the world in the Post-war era • the role of the media in political communication

Assessment Criteria

excellent

Grade A

Student has produced a consistently high level of work in all aspects of the module and has an outstanding grasp of the material and issues studied. The level of attainment achieved suggests the student has developed a wide range of transferable skills and will have no problem in mastering an undergraduate degree programme.

threshold

Grade D

Student has attained a satisfactory grasp of the material and issues studied and has demonstrated some transferable skills sufficiently to suggest the ability to cope with an undergraduate degree programme.

good

Grade B

Student has worked effectively in most aspects of the module and has a sound grasp of the material and issues studied. The level of attainment achieved suggests the student has developed a range of transferable skills and will have little problem in mastering an undergraduate degree programme.

Learning outcomes

  1. Explain how pressure is brought to bear on governments through citizen participation, NGOs and the media.

  2. Explain the different strands of government within the UK and how they function.

  3. Outline the key components of democracy and the role of the monarchy in the UK.

  4. Present information in a written and oral format to a specific deadline

  5. Demonstrate an understanding of key political ideologies and their relationships to parties in the UK.

  6. Explain the UK’s relationship with the EU and other international organisations.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
COURSEWORK Seminar discussion

Group seminar discussion assessed individually using specific and task relevant assessment criteria.

 20.00
EXAM Final exam

Unseen exam assessing all module content.

 60.00
COURSEWORK Essay

Portfolio of key questions produced over the course of the term assessed using specific and task relevant assessment criteria

 20.00

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Seminar

5 hours a week over a 10 week term.

Student and teacher led lessons will aim to encourage students to present and discuss the issues and topics presented in order to develop analytical skills and the ability to discuss these in a clear and coherent manner.

 50
Private study

5 hours a week over a 10 week term.

Students will be guided to work independently and in co-operation with other classmates to gain a wide ranging understanding of UK society and relevant topics.

 50

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting

Subject specific skills

  • Apply a range of perspectives to the analysis of legal and social issues including global issues.

Resources

Reading list

Cocker, P. and Jones, A., (2015) Contemporary British Politics. 5th ed. Cambridge Academic Coxall, B., Robins, L. and Leach, R. (2003) Contemporary British Politics. 4th ed. Palgrave Macmillan Fairclough, P. and Lynch, P. in ed. Magee, E. (2013) AS UK Government and Politics. Hodder Education McNaughton, N. (2017) UK Government and Politics. Hodder Education

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses: