School of Politics, International Relations & Philosophy  
 
 
PIR-20065 The Practice of Politics  
Co-ordinator: Dr Matthew Wyman    Room: CBB2.041, Tel:33756  
Teaching Team: Ms Sarah  Longwell, Dr Matthew  Wyman, Mrs Paula  Hughes, Mrs Julie  Street, Dr Monica Mookherjee, Miss Georgina  Spencer, Miss Laura  Barcroft, Mrs Diane  Mason, Mr Derek R  Bell  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 2 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office:
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
International Relations Dual Honours (Level 2)
International Relations Major (Level 2)
International Relations Minor (Level 2)
International Relations Single Honours (Level 2)
Politics Dual Honours (Level 2)
Politics Major (Level 2)
Politics Minor (Level 2)
Politics Single Honours (Level 2)
Available as a Free Standing Elective
Yes
Barred Combinations
PIR 20082 Work Experience

Prerequisites
None

Description

This module involves exploration of a number of interrelated personal and political questions. Through engaging with the module fully, you will, by the end of it, have clearer answers to at least some of the following questions:

Personal Development
- What am I good at?
- What do I enjoy doing?
- What are my motivations?
- What are my priorities?
- How can I become more effective?

Future Careers
- What is it like to work in various different kinds of political career?
- How do careers develop?
- What kind of work do I want?
- What do I need to do in order to get the kind of work I want?

Political Action
- How can I communicate about politics more effectively?
- What are the techniques used by the most effective public speakers?
- How can I influence others?
- How can I improve my people skills?
- How can I be an effective leader?

Political Communication and Leadership
- When are political leaders effective?
- When do campaigns succeed?
- What are the features of effective public speaking in a variety of contexts?

The module will be taught in 12 x 2-hour workshops which will consist of a combination of instruction, small and large group discussion and practical exercises. Rather than prior reading the focus will be on practical activities in the workshop and reflection or other activitiesafterwards. Participants will also be given the opportunity to practice public speaking and media and interview skills as part of a presentation day.

Assessment will be through a portfolio including analysis of political rhetoric, analysis of indivdual political leaders, a number of reflections on individual skill areas, as well as a number of documents relating to the process of career management and development.
Aims
This module involves exploration of a number of interrelated personal and political questions. By fully engaging with the module, students will have clearer answers to at least some of the following questions:

Personal Development
&· What am I good at?
&· What do I enjoy doing?
&· What are my motivations?
&· What are my priorities?
&· How can I become more effective?

Future Careers
&· What is it like to work in various different kinds of political career?
&· How do careers develop?
&· What kind of work do I want?
&· What do I need to do in order to get the kind of work I want?

Political Action
&· How can I communicate about politics more effectively?
&· How can I influence others?
&· How can I improve my $ùpeople&© skills?
&· How can I be an effective leader?

Political Communication and Leadership
&· When are political leaders effective?
&· When do campaigns succeed?
&· What are the features of effective public speaking in a variety of contexts?
Intended Learning Outcomes
Develop their ability to reflect on their graduate attributes will be achieved by assessments: 1
Analyse political rhetoric using a variety of analytical techniques will be achieved by assessments: 1
Articulate clearly their personal skills, aptitudes, values and motivations and develop a range of techniques for enhancing the personal and professional skills that are of particular relevance to them in their future life will be achieved by assessments: 1
Communicate effectively in a variety of spoken forms: the formal debate, the speech, the question and answer format will be achieved by assessments: 1
Position themselves effectively in the graduate jobs market will be achieved by assessments: 1
Study hours
10 hours preparation for workshops
24 hours attendance at workshops
6 hours preparation of speech analysis
100 hours completion of reflective portfolio
10 hours preparation for public speaking
Description of Module Assessment
01: Report weighted 40%
Research report on an individual political leader or on political campaigning
2000 words
02: Assignment weighted 10%
Analysis of political speech
750 word analysis of a great political speech
03: Portfolio weighted 50%
Reflective portfolio of career development education related exercises
The portfolio will consist of the following: Personal values statement (ungraded) Summary of personal priorities (ungraded) Self-reflection on public speaking (750 words, 20%) Final self-audit of two skills with action plan (1500 words, 40%) Prospects planner printout and comments (ungraded) Analysis of potential career (750 words, 20%) CV (2 sides, 20%) Application form segments (formative, ungraded) Marks will be deducted for non-completion of the ungraded elements of the portfolio

Version: (1.05A) Created: 01/Oct/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.