CE5135: The Political System in Wales

School Continuing and Professional Education
Department Code LEARN
Module Code CE5135
External Subject Code 101323
Number of Credits 20
Level L4
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Ms Janet Stephens
Semester Spring Semester
Academic Year 2019/0

Outline Description of Module

The module will introduce students to a number of key areas in Welsh public life.  The module begins by exploring how Wales is governed and what devolution means in practice, and will then consider concepts such as democracy and representation, as well as looking at how political parties, the civil service and the voluntary sector contribute to policy-making. The course will also consider how influences outside of Wales shape its governance, looking at factors such as the European Union, the Media and the UK government

On completion of the module a student should be able to

Describe the current Welsh institutions, their functions and how they differ

Demonstrate understanding of devolution, specifically in Wales, and in the UK more broadly

Discuss the politics, organisations and influences that shape how Wales is governed

Construct reasoned arguments concerning the way in which Wales is currently governed

 

How the module will be delivered

The course will be delivered through a mix of participative seminars and lectures. Students will be encouraged to share their knowledge, experiences and opinions in order to illustrate the relevance of the course material to their daily lives, and to promote respectful debate. Suggested reading to enhance learning outcomes will also be provided

 

40 contact hours

Skills that will be practised and developed

Students will develop and practice presentation and debating skills, as well as developing skills in informational analysis and use of evidence to prepare a rationale and reasoned argument

How the module will be assessed

How the module will be assessed

Students will be asked to give a 10 minute presentation to demonstrate their learning.

Type of assessment  % Contribution Title Duration (if applicable)  Approx. date of Assessment

Presentation  / Report  

50%

Presentation / Report on one aspect of Welsh government. Students will be asked to identify an aspect of public life or policy (e.g. tuition fees, welsh newspapers, UK membership of the EU, etc) and make a case for whether they think the current governance arrangements for Wales are suitable, or whether this area would benefit from more or less devolution, or even independence from the UK. Students will be expected to provide a reasoned argument for their position based upon the course content and individual learning

Week 10

 

Essay   50% 

Essay titles will be distributed in class. Students can negotiate their own essay title with the tutor if preferred.

End of course

 

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Written Assessment 100 The Political System In Wales N/A

Syllabus content

The course will give a broad overview of Welsh public life and governance, and will explore the following themes:

Structures of government, including devolved, UK and European institutions

Political and constitutional change in Wales from 1979-2013

The role of the media, civil society, voluntary, private and public sector organisations in shaping Wales

The prospects for the UK’s future, including EU membership and the Scottish Referendum

Background Reading and Resource List

Course materials will be in the form of hand-outs/emailed attachments/items on Learning Central

 

Students interested in Welsh affairs may wish to access www.clickonwales.org/ a good blog on Welsh issues hosted by the Institute for Welsh Affairs

 

Students wishing to conduct additional reading at a more advanced level may wish to explore the following texts:

 

Wyn Jones, R. & Scully, R. (2012) Wales Says Yes: Devolution and the 2011 Referendum (Cardiff, University of Wales Press)

Rawlings, R. (2002) Delineating Wales: Constitutional, Legal & Administrative Aspects of National Devolution (Cardiff, University of Wales Press)

Trench, A. (2007) Devolution and Power in the United Kingdom (Manchester, Manchester University Press)


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