The course will introduce students to politics by focusing on institutional structures in the United Kingdom, with a look at concepts and issues that will include elections, political parties and organised interests. A multilevel governance approach will examine politics across Scotland and the UK, as well as explore Britain's global role in international organisations. 

Lectures: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 1-2pm.
Tutorials: As required

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Mid-term Exam (50%)
Essay (40%)
Performance (10%)

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the fundamentals of politics by exploring basic political concepts and themes in a British context. In the process of exploring these basic concepts and themes, students will be exposed to the core components of British and Scottish politics, including political institutions and organisations - plus various forms of political participation. Students will also learn about the international organisations the UK is associated with, facilitating a better understanding of Britain's global role and the links between domestic and international politics.

Course-specific ILOs:
Students should work to attain the following abilities before undergoing summative assessment:
(a) to identify the key institutional components of a liberal-democratic political systems, and to distinguish the primary from the secondary functions of political institutions;
(b) to isolate, and to compare, the effects individuals have on political institutions, and the effects that institutions have on individuals;
(c) to distinguish empirical and normative political arguments;
(d) to analyse political concepts and theories;
(e) to apply those political concepts and theories to 'real world' examples and case studies;
(f) to interpret quantitative evidence.

Submission of the course essay and completion of the examination. Achievement of a minimum of Grade G.