Module Identifier IPM1620  
Module Title DEVOLUTION AND THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FOR WALES (RT)  
Academic Year 2003/2004  
Co-ordinator Ms Elin Royles  
Semester Semester 2  
Other staff Dr Richard W Jones  
Course delivery Seminars / Tutorials   20 Hours 10 x 2 hours  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Essay: 2 x 2,500 word  100%
Supplementary Assessment   

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. Discuss the historical origins and development of attempts to secure political devolution to Wales from 1979.
2. Critically assess and evaluate the key issues in Welsh politics post 1999.
3. Describe and analyse the main structures of governance, the policy processes and the legal issues associated with politics in devolved Wales.
4. Identify and evaluate key policy issues in Welsh politics.
5. Analyse the relationship between the National Assembly and other political actors in Wales.
6. Contextualise developments in Welsh politics within a broader UK and European framework.
7. Define the constitutional underpinnings of the National Assembly and evaluate the implications of these.
8. Apply and develop the key transferable skills acquired on the core Research Training Modules.

Brief description

The module aims to provide an examination of developments in Welsh politics since the creation of the National Assembly for Wales. It discusses the structures of governance, the legal framework and the policy process to evaluate the complexity of politics and policy in devolved Wales.

Content

Devolution and Wales in British Politics 1979 - 1999
New Politics in Wales? Designing the National Assembly for Wales 1997 - 1999
New Model Wales - the Constitutional Foundations of the National Assembly
The Internal Structures of the National Assembly
Legitimacy and Accountability - Assembly Elections and attitudes towards the Assembly since 1999
The Policy Processes
The National Assembly and Inter-governmental Relations (Britain and Europe)
Representation in the National Assembly for Wales
A Process not an Event: Devolution and the Future

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Adams, J & Robinson, P (eds) (2002) Devolution in Practice: Public Policy Differences within the UK London: IPPR
Balsom, D & Jones, B (eds) (2000) The Road to the National Assembly of Wales Cardiff: University of Wales Press
Davies, R (1999) 'Devolution: A Process not an Event' (The Gregynog Papers, Vol 2, No 2) Insitute of Welsh Affairs

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7