This module introduces the major ideologies central to British politics. It looks at the arguments within and between these ideologies, their development and their importance to contemporary political debate. The module analyses the ideas that shape the actions of politicians, and political parties, as well as major policy developments.

Further, the analysis will be undertaken within a wider framework that explores the study of ideology and related theoretical issues in political studies.

1. Understand the major ideologies in British politics, including conservativism, liberalism, socialism and nationalism.
2. Chart the development of these ideologies over time and recognise the debates within them.
3. Identify the core concepts that structure these ideologies.
4. Compare and contrast their impact on both historical and contemporary British politics.
5. Attribute these ideologies to politicians, political parties and groups across Britain.
6. Recognise how ideology influences the development of policy and political debate in British politics.
7. Critically reflect on the different theoretical and conceptual approaches to the study of political ideology.

While studying this module, students will practise and develop a number of skills. Not all of these will be assessed formally and included as learning outcomes. These skills will include information retrieval, organisation of teaching material for own use, presentation of seminar papers using appropriate software, and essay writing for academic purposes.

This module also equips students with a range of important transferrable skills, which are vital in terms of employability, including working independently and as part of a team; managing a varied workload; assimilating and synthesising multiple data sources; constructing coherent arguments; and preparing written reports and verbal presentations.

The module will be delivered primarily through large and small group face-to-face sessions.  Digital learning activities may be included to support face-to-face delivery.  Full details on the delivery mode for this module will be available on Learning Central at the start of the module.

Intellectual skills

• Identify key ideologies that have shaped contemporary British politics and the concepts that structure them.
• Critically reflect on the different theoretical and conceptual approaches to the study of political ideology.
• Critically evaluate the impact that different ideologies on historical and contemporary British politics.

Transferable skills

• Communicate ideas effectively and fluently in speech and writing.
• Use communication and information technology, including audio-visual technology, for the retrieval and presentation of information, including, where appropriate, statistical or numerical information.
• Work independently, demonstrating initiative, self-organisation and time management.
• Use the appropriate presentational and writing skills to communicate ideas effectively and fluently in a presentation.

The module will be assessed by:

Primary Source Analysis (40 %)

Essay (60%)

If you fail the module, you will be required to resit failed/outstanding assessment components.  Resit assessments will be held in the Resit Examination period, prior to the start of the following academic session.  You will be notified of your eligibility to resit modules after the Examining Board in the Summer period.

This module looks at current trends and issues in British politics, consequently the syllabus responds to contemporary issues. These will include a mix of the following topics:

1. Studying ideologies
2. Ideology in British politics
3. Liberalism
4. Conservatism
5. Socialism and Labourism
6. Nationalism
7. Feminism
8. Green Ideology
9. Populism
10. Extremism
11. The future of ideology in British politics