Module Identifier IPM1630  
Module Title DEVOLUTION AND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FOR WALES (S)  
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 hour seminars per week  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam3 Hours  50%
Semester Assessment Essay:  50%
Supplementary Exam Students may, subject to Faculty approval, have the opportunity to resit this module, normally during the supplementary examination period. For further clarification please contact the Teaching Programme Administrator in the Department of International Politics. 

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

- critically assess and evaluate the key issues in Welsh politics post 1999
- develop an understanding of the structures of governance, the policy process and the legal issues associated with politics in devolved Wales
- identify and evaluate key policy issues in Welsh politics
- analyse the relationship between the National Assembly and other politics actors in Wales, and
- contextualise developments in Welsh politics within a broader UK and European framework

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

Aims

The aim of the module is to provide an in depth assessment and evaluation of politics in Wales post-devolution. It aims both to develop students understanding of the detail of the devolution settlement in Wales, and to encourage a critical understanding of the broader theoretical issues associated with devolution in Wales.

Transferable skills

Students will have the opportunity to develop, practice and test a wide range of transferable skills that will enable them to understand, conceptualize and critically evaluate key political events, intricate technical detail and theoretical ideas and concepts. Throughout the course, students should practice and enhance their reading, comprehension and thinking skills, as well as advanced numeracy skills and self-management skills. In seminars students will enhance their analytical skills and will practice presentation, listening, explaining and debating skills, as well as team-working skills. A practical workshop session with political actors in the National Assembly for Wales will also encourage development of these skills outside of the classroom. Essay writing will encourage students to practice their independent research, writing and IT skills, and the examination will test analytical and written communication skills under conditions of time-constraint.

15 ECTS credits

Reading Lists

Books
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
Jones, J.B., Osmond, J. (eds) (2001) Inclusive Government and Party Management: The National Assembly for Wales and the Work of its Committees Cardiff: Institute of Welsh Affairs

Articles
Davies, R. (1999) Devolution: A Process not an Event (The Gregynog Papers, Vol 2, No 2 (Institute of Welsh Affairs)

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7