Gwybodaeth Modiwlau

Module Identifier
IPM7830
Module Title
PARTIES AND REPRESENTATION IN CONTEMPORARY WALES
Academic Year
2009/2010
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Seminars / Tutorials 10 x 2 hour seminars
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment 1 x 1000 word paper on seminar  20%
Semester Assessment 2 x 3500 word essays  80%

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students will be able:
1. Discuss the nature of electoral politics in Wales prior to 1999 and after devolution.
2. Critically assess and evaluate effects of devolution on both electoral politics and the political parties in Wales.
3. Describe and analyse the main features of alternative forms of representation post-devolution and assess the success of the National Assembly in achieving 'descriptive representation'.
4. Demonstrate, through written work and in seminar discussions, an awareness and understanding of the changes in public opinion in Wales post-devolution.
5. Analyse the effects of public opinion on the political parties and the National Assembly for Wales.
6. Identify and evaluate the key policy issues during the National Assembly's first and second terms.
7. Discuss the effects and electoral politics, the involvement of different alternative representation in the policy process and public opinion on the Assembly's policy agenda and evaluate the implications of these.

Brief description

This module aims to provide an examination of developments in Welsh politics since the creation of the National Assembly for Wales. It discusses electoral politics, alternative forms of representation and public opinion post-devolution as well as the Welsh Assembly's policy agenda in order to assess the complex nature of Welsh politics and political behaviour in a devolved Wales.

Content

Parties and Electoral politics in contemporary Wales

1. Electoral politics in Wales: the historical and institutional context
2. the political parties and party politics in Wales prior to devolution
3. Electoral politics post-devolution: voting behaviour and milty level voting in Wales and other european regions
4. The political parties and party politics in a devolved Wales

Alternative forms of representation

5. Women, ethnic minorities and the equality agenda in Wales
6. Civil society engagement in post-devolution Wales

Public Opinion

7. Public attitudes and the National Assembly for Wales: constitutional preferences, turnout and ligitimacy
8. National identities in post-devolution Wales

Representing Wales abroad

9. Wales and the Ruropean Union
10. Conclusions



Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7