GV204-5-AU-CO:
British Government
2025/26
Government
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Thursday 02 October 2025
Friday 12 December 2025
15
14 June 2023
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
GV385
This module examines the changing UK political system over the last twenty years. It charts the fall and apparent rise again of the Westminster Model of majoritarian democracy. The module considers developments such as devolution, Britain`s relationship with the EU, House of Lords reform and the party system.
The aims of this module are:
- To provide students with a comprehensive knowledge of the UK political system;
- to demonstrate to students how the British political system has changed over time;
- to provide students with the foundations for studying more specialised and advanced modules in British politics in subsequent years;
- to develop the key skills required for the successful study of political science.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Have a familiarity with the historical background and development of British government and politics, including its relationship with the European Union;
- Have an understanding of the British political system and its main institutions – constitution, executive, parliament, local government and courts;
- Comprehend the relationship between government institutions and Britain’s cultural and social attributes;
- Have an understanding of the main theories used to explain British politics.
No additional information available.
This module will be taught over 2 hours per week
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Flinders, M. (2005) ‘Majoritarian Democracy in Britain: New Labour and the Constitution’,
West European Politics, 28(1), pp. 61–93. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1080/0140238042000297099.
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Arend Lijphart (2012)
Patterns of democracy: government forms and performance in thirty-six countries. 2nd ed. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press. Available at:
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=474918.
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Judge, D. (2004) ‘Whatever Happened to Parliamentary Democracy in the United Kingdom?’,
Parliamentary Affairs, 57(3), pp. 682–701. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1093/pa/gsh052.
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Sobolewska, M. and Ford, R. (2020)
Brexitland. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Available at:
https://doi-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/10.1017/9781108562485.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof John Bartle, email: jbartl@essex.ac.uk.
Professor John Bartle
Module Supervisor: Professor John Bartle -(bartl@essex.ac.uk) /
/ Module Administrator: Jasini Hobbs - (govquery@essex.ac.uk)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Dr Mohammed Rodwan Abouharb
University College London
Dr Stefano Pagliari
City, University of London
Senior Lecturer in International Politics
Available via Moodle
Of 2 hours, 2 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
Government
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