SDEb1103 The Evolution of British Politics

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2024

The course is not taught in Autumn 2024

Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Marek Bičan (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Zdeněk Kříž, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Prerequisites
The ability to read academic texts and write consciously in English. At least some preexisting understanding of British political system and knowledge of contemporary British history would be an asset.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of this course is to provide students with an introduction into contemporary political history of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The main goal of the course is to set a sound knowledge base for further study of British political system and its development since the Second World War. The course is divided into six thematic lessons and subsequent seminars. The concept of the course combines the traditional approach of political history focused on historical events and processes with the structural approach of political science.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1) Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the British political history since the Second World War.
2) Understand functioning of the British political system with special emphasis on the office of Prime Minister, role of Parliament, role of the Crown, and development of the political parties.
3) Analyse changes in British political system from the historical perspective as well as from the perspective of political science.
4) Demonstrate academic writing skills.
Syllabus
  • 1) Introductory information about the course, the discipline of contemporary British history and its specifics, British political history since the Second World War.
  • 2) The roles of the Cabinet and of the Prime Minister in British political system, its developments and its most important holders.
  • 3) The role of the House of Commons and the House of Lords in British political system, the role of the Crown.
  • 4) The political parties - The Conservative Party, The Labour Party, The Liberal Party (Liberal Democrats), and The Scottish National Party. The media.
  • 5) The judiciary, the local government, the devolution, and the referendums.
  • 6) Final lesson - discussion about the British constitution and the developments of British political system.
Literature
    required literature
  • Hennessy, P. The Prime Minister: The Office and its Holders since 1945. London: Penguin, 2001. ISBN 9780140283938
  • Jones, B., Norton, P., Daddow, O. Politics UK. Abingdon: Routledge, 2018. ISBN 9781138685086
  • CLARKE, P. F. Hope and glory : Britain 1900-2000. Second edition. London: Penguin Books, 2004, x, 496. ISBN 9780141011752. info
    recommended literature
  • The Oxford history of Britain. Edited by Kenneth O. Morgan. Revised edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001, xii, 780. ISBN 019280135X. info
Teaching methods
The course consists of lectures and seminary discussions. Students will be expected to write a short essay (4-5 pages) for each seminar. List of preselected topics for each seminar will be available in the sylabus.
Assessment methods
The course is concluded with an oral exam. The overall assessment will consist of the exam result (two students will discuss their essays with the lecturer - 30 points) and the marks obtained for each essay (60 points). More information will be available in the sylabus.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
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