Constitutional and Territorial Ideologies in Britain and Ireland - POL00074H

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Module summary

This module examines the political arguments that have been used (and are being used) to make the case for and against constitutional and territorial change on these islands. Each week focuses on an ideological tradition that has advocated for, or against, constitutional and territorial change in Britain and Ireland, examining its historical development in context; impact upon the constitutional politics of Britain and Ireland; and relationship with other ideologies.

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Semester 2 2025-26

Module aims

The module examines the ideologies that have structured and restructured the constitutional territorial configuration of these islands. It examines the ways in which the polities of Ireland and the UK have been made and remade with reference to the ideas and arguments articulated by different constitutional ideological traditions. The module takes an interdisciplinary approach drawing on literature from Irish, British and intellectual history, political theory, comparative political science and law. The module should be of interest to all Politics and IR students who have enjoyed studying political theory, comparative and British politics at stages one and two, as well as hist-pol students due to its primarily historical approach to studying political questions.

Module learning outcomes

Demonstrate knowledge of the constitutional ideologies which structure politics on these islands, both historically and in application to contemporary debates (PLO1)

The ability to appreciate and critically evaluate the arguments presented by these positions (PLO2)

Present arguments and advanced ideas from the module in summative written work (PLO5)

Reflect on the ethical and political implications of holding differing constitutional positions in light of the values such as tolerance, sustainability and inclusivity (PLO6)

Module content

Likely structure to include:

1. British Unionism

2. Ulster Unionism

3. Irish Nationalism

4. Irish Republicanism

5. Scottish Independence

6. The Politics of Welsh Nationhood

7. The Problem of England

8. Euroscepticism (in historical context)

9. Devolution in Britain and Empire

10. Good Friday Agreement and beyond

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	20
Essay/coursework	80

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	20
Essay/coursework	80

Module feedback

Students will receive written timely feedback on their formative assessment. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s feedback and guidance hours.

Students will receive written feedback on their summative assessment no later than 25 working days; and the module tutor will hold a specific session to discuss feedback, which students can also opt to attend. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s regular feedback and guidance hours.

Indicative reading

• Bourke, R. (2003) Peace in Ireland: The War of Ideas. London: Pimlico.

• Kidd, C. (2008) Union and Unionisms. Cambridge: CUP.

• McLean, I. & McMillan, A. (2005) State of the Union. Oxford: OUP.

• Kenny, M. (2014) The Politics of English Nationhood. Oxford: OUP.

• Jackson, B. (2020) The Case for Scottish Independence. Cambridge: CUP.

• McAllister, L. (2001) Plaid Cymru: The Emergence of a Political Party. Bridgend: Seren.

• Saunders, R. (2019) Yes to Europe! Cambridge: CUP.