Parliamentary programme current course handbook
Letter to Interns
5 September 2011
Dear Intern
Dear Intern – 5 September 2011
Welcome to Edinburgh University, welcome to the Parliamentary Internship Programme, and welcome to Edinburgh – UNESCO’s first World City of Literature! We do hope that you’ll have a rewarding time here, both at Chisholm House and working in the Parliament building at Holyrood.
We are living in interesting times, particularly after the recent Scottish Parliament election in May which produced, for the first time, an overall majority for one party. And the SNP under First Minister Alex Salmond has promised a referendum on Scottish independence before the next elections in 2016.
In the first five weeks of your semester here, we will do our best to give you a grasp of British and Scottish politics, society and culture, in three complementary courses:
- Government and Politics in the United Kingdom (Charlie Jeffery)
- Scottish Politics (David McCrone)
- Scottish Society and Culture (Eberhard ‘Paddy’ Bort)
Then, after two ‘transition weeks’, you will spend another eight weeks in close co-operation with an MSP and his/her staff in the Scottish Parliament, working on an agreed research project and – hopefully – gaining some valuable insights into the Scottish political process.
Please read this course handbook carefully, as it gives you all the basic information you need to know – about your classes and the internship. If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact Charlie Jeffery, David McCrone or myself.
We all hope you will enjoy your stay with us.
Eberhard Bort (Director of Studies)
Information on Courses (at a glance)
| Classes |
Lecturers |
First class |
Room |
| British Politics |
Charlie Jeffery | 5 Sept | Seminar room |
| Scottish Politcs |
David McCrone |
6 Sept | Seminar room |
|
Scottish Society |
Paddy Bort |
7 Sept | Seminar room |
Every Thursday 6-8pm meeting at Chisholm House
Activities Programme tba
| Week of 5 Sept |
First classes |
| 19 Sept | Mid-term breifing paper in Scottish Politics deadline |
| 23 Sept | Mid-term assignment due in British Politics |
| 26 - 30 Sept | Interns are assigned to MSPs/ First meetings with |
| 10 Oct | Internship with MSP begins |
| 10 Oct | Final Exam British Politics |
| 14 Oct | Final Exam Scottish Politics |
| 4 March | Deadline for final essay in Scottish Society & Culture |
| 16 Dec | End of Internship/ Journal & Report due. |
Member of Scottish Parliament:
Name _________________________________________
Phone _________________________________________
Email _________________________________________
Introduction: Parliamentary Programme
Requirements and Assessment Information
Internship Requirements
Students will complete three five-week courses and a ten-week placement with a Member of the Scottish Parliament. There is a two-week period of transition at the start of the parliamentary placement for exams and essay writing
Course Work
Students are required to take three courses: British Politics, Scottish Politics, and Scottish Society & Culture, 10-12 on Monday, 10-12 on Tuesday and 10-12 on Wednesday respectively. On the same days, up to two hours in the afternoon will be used to deepen the topics dealt with in the morning sessions – by visiting institutions, having guest lectures, and through other guided activities led by the Interns Tutor, Martin Booker. Thursday evenings throughout the 15 weeks are reserved for compulsory video/film sessions complementing the courses (Chisholm House / 6–8 pm)
Placement
Students will work with a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) and their staff for the duration of the ten-week placement on a research project agreed between the intern, the MSP and the Director of Studies.
Please make sure that you are around Monday to Friday for the two weeks preceding the start of the parliamentary leg of the internship (i.e. weeks 4 and 5) – as those are the weeks when interns will be introduced to their MSPs.
Assessment
Assessment for the internship takes three forms: course requirements, a report and journal. The academic course work will count 40% towards the final mark; the Report and journal will make up the other 60%.
- After the completion of courses students are expected to complete either an exam or a 2,000-3000 word essay which will be assessed by the course lecturer. Deadlines are to be kept - extensions will only be given if requested with good reason and in advance. Handing in course work late will result in penalties.
- At the end of their internship placement students are responsible for submitting a report. The topic and length of the report (usually c5,000 words) will be negotiated between the MSP, the interns' Director of Studies, and the intern. The report is to be submitted to the MSP as well as to the Director of Studies.
- In addition, students are expected to submit a journal on their placement activities and observations at the end of placement. The journal should include at least one page per week of the placement, detailing observations of the political process, outlining questions or frustrations, or discuss anything the students find relevant. The impressions and expectations of the internship placement are of particular interest. Students may wish to include copies of newspaper articles, lists of activities and accomplishments, notes of meetings, speeches or political events.
Grading
Grading of essays, briefings and exams will be according to Edinburgh University standards.
| % | US Grades |
Average % of successful candidates normally achieving the grade
|
| 70-100 % = 1st (A) Excellent | A (A+) |
10%
|
| 60-69 % = 2.1 (B) Very Good | A-/B+ |
55%
|
| 50-59 % = 2.2 (C) Good | B/B- |
25%
|
| 40-49 % = 3 (D) Satisfactory | C |
10 %
|
| below 40 = Fail (E,F,G) | D/F |
As you see, the Edinburgh system of grading may seem harsher than at some American colleges. But it is University policy to apply the Edinburgh grading system across the University.
Additional Information
Office Space
Students will be provided with office space in the basement of Chisholm House, High School Yards. Depending on their placement, students may be provided with office space at the Parliament.
Computer Access
Students will be provided with access to five computers in Chisholm House and a university e-mail account. With a university account students will be able to log in to any of the additional university computer labs.
Computing facilities are available in the Appleton Tower and the University Library in George Square. Depending on their placement, students may gain access to the parliamentary computers.
Parliamentary Passes
Interns will be issued with parliamentary passes in week 1 of the placement. It is expected that an initial meeting with the host MSP will take place during weeks 4 and 5 of the internship. It is therefore imperative that all interns are in Edinburgh Mon-Fri on those two weeks. Meeting MSPs has absolute priority over travel plans and other activities.
Books
We have a lending library installed at Chisholm House, looked after by Margaret MacPherson in the ground floor office, containing all major text books needed for the course. Students may borrow books for up to one week. Please do not mark books - if you have to read with pen or pencil, do buy your own books!
Weblogs
Please note that weblogs about the student's placement in Parliament should only be kept with the explicit agreement of the intern's MSP.
Lecturers/Tutors
- David McCrone is Professor of Sociology and the Co-Director of the Institute of Governance.
- Charlie Jeffery is Professor of Politics and Co-Director of the Institute of Governance
- Paddy Bort (Lecturer in Politics and Academic Coordinator of the Institute) is the Director of Studies of the Internship Programme.
The afternoon activities for Scottish and British Politics are organised by Interns Tutors Emre Tarim and Carrie Purcell.
Information on Courses Page:
Timetable
Government and Politics in the United Kingdom
Scottish Politics
Scottish Society and Culture
Other Information Page:
Essay Writing Guidelines
Resources
Activities Programme
Weekly Media Review
Other Events
Scotland at a Glance
Contacts
Institute of Governance
Chisholm House
High School Yards
1 Surgeon's Square
Business Manager: Lindsay Adams
Ph. 0131 650 8093
Email: ladams@ed.ac.uk
Secretary: Margaret MacPherson
m.macpherson@ed.ac.uk
Alex Baker
Visiting Students/Administration
Email: alex.baker@ed.ac.uk
Paddy Bort
Academic Co-ordinator / Director of Studies
Chisholm House
Ph. 0131 650 2458
Email: ebort@ed.ac.uk
Charlie Jeffery
Chrystal Macmillan Building
Ph. 0131 650 3553
Email: charlie.jeffery.ed.ac.uk
David McCrone
Chisholm House
Ph: 0131 650 2459
Email: d.mccrone@ed.ac.uk
Martin Booker
E-mail: martin.booker@homosociologicus.de
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
Charlie Jeffery
Room 6.04 Chrystal Macmillan Building
Tel: (0131) 650 3553
Email: Charlie.jeffery@ed.ac.uk
COURSE AIMS
The course provides an overview of the government and politics of the United Kingdom. It examines the development of the UK state, the impact of constitutional reform and European integration, the nature of the British party system and ideological change, the electoral system and its consequences. It is intended to give students an insight into key features of the British political system, to provide insight into the relative strength and positions occupied by the main parties, and to provide an understanding of the continuing relevance of the UK politics for Scotland.
FORMAT
The course is taught in a mixture of lectures and seminars
Time: Monday, 10-12 am
Place: The class will meet in the Seminar Room, Chisholm House
READING
Aim for at least 3 readings for each session the relevant parts of textbooks, supplemented by the readings suggested below. Key readings are indicated. Additional readings may be used to follow up areas of particular interest, and to assist in preparing written coursework. These should be complemented by checking relevant journals: key journals include Parliamentary Affairs and Political Quarterly, and both can be accessed on-line via the University Library website. Students are also encouraged to use official websites, and find relevant articles in newspapers and the media. It is an essential requirement that students do the reading prior to coming to class.
ASSESSMENT
Assessment will be based on one short assignment, worth 20% of the overall grade, and one written exam worth 80% of the overall
grade. The Assignments is below; details of the exam will be distributed in class. TWO COPIES of the assignment must be submitted to the Institute of Governance Main Office ON OR BEFORE 5 pm of the due date as per timetable . Extensions will only be granted in exceptional circumstances and MUST be negotiated in advance. Late submissions will be penalised.
Short assignment (worth 20% of overall course grade)
Instructions
You are a political researcher for one of the US political parties, on a fact-finding trip to the UK. Select one of the British political parties (major or minor) and prepare a 1,200 word report/briefing for your home organisation (using academic sources from the British politics reading list, supplemented by web-based resources, including party web-sites, and lecture notes). How does the UK party compare with your own?
You might want to consider:
• Ideology
• Organisation & membership
• Which social groups support it
• Programme & Performance
• The political environment within which the party operates
• Leadership
• Its recent and current prospects
READINGS
What you should use as reading depends in part on how much you know about the UK already. One good starting point, widely available in bookshops and especially suitable if you dont know a great deal about the country, is Andrew Marr A History of Modern Britain (Penguin, 2008); an eminent political journalists view of the post-war history of Britain, focusing mainly but not exclusively on (Westminster) politics. Please read this before the first meeting if you can.
There are also very useful collections of essays. These all contain chapters by well-informed authors, and will give you a better idea of the political and intellectual debates about the topics we cover. They are meant, though, to be argumentative contributions to a debate, not simply introductions to the material, so unless you already have a good deal of background in British politics they should probably be used as an adjunct to a textbook not instead of one. These are:
Anthony Seldon (ed), Blairs Britain 1997-2007, Cambridge UP, 2007.
As regards textbooks, there are many good ones on the UK. Any of the following will give you a thorough introduction to the key issues of British politics, and you may think it worth buying one of them, especially if you are studying the UK for the first time. NB most are now a little dated – except Jones/Norton new editions are in preparation, but are not with us yet! (but note that these books usually have associated websites for up to date information and analysis).
-
Jones, B., P. Norton (2010) Politics UK (7th ed.) .Prentice Hall.
-
Moran, Michael (2005) Politics and Governance in the UK Palgrave
-
Budge, I., I. Crewe, D. McKay and K. Newton (2007) The New British Politics (4th ed.) Addison Wesley Longman.
-
Coxall, B., L. Robins, R. Leach (2006) Contemporary British Politics (5th ed.) Palgrave
There are also very useful collections of essays. These all contain chapters by well-informed authors, and will give you a better idea of the political and intellectual debates about the topics we cover. They are meant, though, to be argumentative contributions to a debate, not simply introductions to the material, so unless you already have a good deal of background in British politics they should probably be used as an adjunct to a textbook not instead of one. These are:
A. Seldon (ed) (2007), Blair’s Britain 1994-2007, Cambridge UP.
P. Dunleavy, R. Heffernan, P. Cowley, and C. Hay (eds) (2006), Developments in British Politics 8, Palgrave.
M. Flinders et al (2009), The Oxford Handbook of British Politics, OUP.
The following books, which can be found in the Main Library, also contain in-depth analysis of issues and problems associated with the UK political system. Each is very useful and covers a number of the lecture themes
Useful web sites:
• The Constitution Unit briefings: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/
• Hansard Society (charity that promotes effective parliamentary democracy) http://www.hansardsociety.org.uk
• Houses of Parliament: http://www.parliament.uk
• UK Government: http//www.ukonlin.gov.uk
• Scottish Government: http://www.scotland.gov.uk (for White Papers, reports, etc.)
• Scottish Parliament: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk
• National Assembly for Wales: http://www.assemblywales.org/index.htm
• Welsh Assembly Government http://new.wales.gov.uk/?lang=en
• Scottish Affairs: http://www.scottishaffairs.org/
• Political Studies Association at: http://www.psa.ac.uk/
• Social Science Information Gateway at: http://www.sosig.ac.uk/politics/
• Fawcett (feminist research and lobby organisation) http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk
• BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/
• The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/
For each week, it is recommended that you read the relevant chapters in your chosen textbook, as well as at least two of the articles in the following reading lists. Suggested key readings are highlighted; other readings from the list may be substituted, or used if you wish to explore further.
LECTURE PROGRAMME
Classes normally start at 10 am (except week one 2 pm).
Week 1: Introduction to the UK State
Week 2: Parties, ideology and elections
Week 3: Reforming Britannia 1: Constitutional reform at the centre
Week 4: Reforming Britannia 2: Devolution and territorial politics in the UK
The United Kingdom, the European Union, and the world
Format: each week there will be a two-hour collegiate style lecture including student input and discussion. I expect you to come armed with questions and points to raise, not just to listen to me.
Week 1: Introduction to the UK State
This week we will examine the UK state and the constitutional development of the United Kingdom, looking at the distinctiveness of the UK’s ‘unwritten’ constitution, the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty and the development of the main political institutions. We will examine the concepts of state and nation, and consider whether the UK can best be conceptualised as a nation-state or a multi-national state, and where power lies in its central institutions. Throughout we will draw comparisons with the US.
Key Readings:
Relevant chapters in your chosen textbook.
Chapters 13-16 by Norton in Jones/Norton
Seldon, chapters 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7.
Flinders in Developments
Also:
Barnett, H. (2002) Britain Unwrapped: Government and Constitution Explained
Beer, S.H. (1965) Modern British Politics: a study of parties and pressure groups
Birch, A. (1986, 1998) The British System of Government, (7th edn./10th ed.) chs. 2-4, 10-12
Dunleavy, P. (2006), The Westminster Model and the Distinctiveness of British Politics, in Dunleavy et al (eds) Developments in British Politics 8.
Freedland, J (1999), Bring Home the Revolution, London: Fourth Estate.
Hazell, R. (2006) The Continuing Dynamism of Constitutional Reform Parliamentary Affairs 60: 3-25; (e-journal)
Holliday et al. (eds) (1999) Fundamentals in British Politics chs. 1-5
Norton, P. (2001) The British Polity (4th ed.)
Week 2: Parties, ideology and elections
This week we will examine the nature and development of the party political system in the UK. The development of ideology from social democracy to neo-liberalism will be studied, giving consideration to the question of whether the advent of New Labour has led to a new political consensus, or a distinctive Third Way. In addition, we will examine the nature and consequences of the electoral system and consider the issues it engenders for party and popular representation. The tutorial discussion will focus on analysing the 2005 UK General Election
Key Readings:
Relevant chapters in your chosen textbook.
Chapters 4-5 by Jones, chapter 7 by Garnett, and ‘Appendix’ the 2010 election in Jones/Norton
Seldon, chapters 3, 8 and 11
Bartle and Laycock in Developments.
Seldon, chapters 3, 8 and 11
Bartle and Laycock in Developments
The 2010 General Election:
See the summary of findings from the British Election Study Report: Electoral Choice 2010 at http://www.bes2009-10.org/
The special issue of Parliamentary Affairs, Vol. 63, Issue 4, 2010 covers the 2010 election in depth, with the article by David Denver ‘The Results: How Britain Voted’ giving a good overview.
There is a special section of Political Quarterly , Vol. 82:2, 2011 which looks at how and why the 2010 coalition government was formed.
Also:
Bale, T (2010), The Conservative Party from Thatcher to Cameron (Cambridge: Polity Press).
Bara, J and Budge, I (2001) ‘Party Policy and Ideology: Still New Labour?’ in Parliamentary Affairs 54/4
Bartle, S., Laycock, S. (2006), Elections and Voting, in Dunleavy et al (eds) Developments in British Politics 8
Bevir, M. (2000) ‘New Labour: A Study in Ideology’ British Journal of Politics and International Relations (vol 2) (e-journal)
Childs, S. (2006), ‘Political Parties and Party Systems’, in Dunleavy et al (eds) Developments in British Politics 8
Evans, G. (2003) ‘Political Culture and Voting Participation’ in Developments in British Politics 7
Geddes, A., Tonge, J. (2010), Britain Votes 2010
Johnston, R., Pattie, C. (2011), ‘Where Did Labour’s Votes Go?’, British Journal of Politics and International Relations 13:3 (e-journal).
Kavanagh, D., Cowley, P. (2010), The British General Election of 2010
Kisby, B. (2010), ‘The Big Society: Power to the People’, Political Quarterly, 81: 4 (e-journal)
Pattie, C, Johnston, R. (2011), ‘How Big is the Big Society?’, Parliamentary Affairs, 64: 3 (e-journal)
Smith, T. (2003) ‘”Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue”: Themes of Tony Blair and his Government’ Parliamentary Affairs 2003 (56) 580-596 [e-journal]
Week 3: Reforming Britannia 1: Constitutional reform at the centre
Following its election in 1997, the Blair government embarked upon the most extensive programme of constitutional reform since the Liberal government of 1906-14, with the coalition under Cameron and Clegg also seeing the constitution as a priority. We will examine these constitutional reforms over the following two weeks. This week we will focus on the current state of British democracy, giving particular attention to reform of the House of Lords, modernisation of the House of Commons, electoral reform, relations between the executive and the legislature, the changing role of the courts. What has driven the demand for reform? What progress has been made so far? Do these reforms contribute to ‘democratic deepening’ in the UK?
Key Readings:
Relevant chapters in your chosen textbook.
Chapter 13 by Norton in Jones and Norton
Seldon, chapter 6
Flinders in Developments.
Robert Hazell (sometimes with colleagues) has written regular updates on constitutional reform in Parliamentary Affairs, covering issues for both this and next week’s session. You might want to check out
'The British Constitution in 1997–98: Labour’s Constitutional Revolution’, Parliamentary Affairs (1999), (e-journal)
‘The British Constitution in 1998–99: The Continuing Revolution’, Parliamentary Affairs (2000), (e-journal)
‘The Constitution: Rolling out the New Settlement’,Parliamentary Affairs (2001), (e-journal)
‘The Constitution: Coming in from the Cold’, Parliamentary Affairs (2002), (e-journal)
‘The Constitution: Consolidation and Cautious Advance’, Parliamentary Affairs (2003), (e-journal)
‘The Constitution: Dragging the Constitution out of the Shadows’, Parliamentary Affairs (2004), (e-journal)
‘The Constitution: Into the Sidings’, Parliamentary Affairs (2005), (e-journal)
‘The Continuing Dynamism of Constitutional Reform’, Parliamentary Affairs (2007), (e-journal)
Also:
Bogdanor, V. (2009), The New British Constitution (Oxford: Hart).
Flinders, M. (2002) ‘Shifting the Balance? Parliament, the Executive and the British Constitution’ Political Studies 2002, 50.1 (e-journal)
Kelso, A. (2006), ‘Reforming the House of Lords: Navigating Representation, Democracy and Legitimacy at Westminster’, Parliamentary Affairs, (e-journal).
King, A. (2009), The British Constitution (Oxford: OUP
Lipsey, D. (2011), ‘A Very Peculiar Revolution: Britain’s Politics and Constitution, 1970-2011’, Political Quarterly 2011 82:3 (e-journal)
Norris, P. (2001) ‘The Twilight of Westminster? Electoral Reform and its Consequences’ Political Studies 2001 49.5 (e-journal)
Renwick, A., Lamb, M., and Numan, B. (2011), ‘The Expenses Scandal and the Politics of Electoral Reform’, Political Quarterly 82: 1 (e-journal)
Russell , M. (2001) ‘What are Second Chambers For?’ in Parliamentary Affairs Vol.54/3 [e-journal]
Sanders, D et al (2011), ‘Simulating the Effects of the Alternative Vote in the 2010 UK General Election’, Parliamentary Affairs 64:1 (e-journal)
Week 4: Reforming Britannia 2: Devolution and territorial politics in the UK
This week we will look at the progress and prospects of devolution in the other parts of the UK: Wales, Northern Ireland, the English regions, and local government. What are the historical roots of nationalism in Wales and Northern Ireland, and how do their devolved institutions compare to Scotlands? What progress has been made with regard to the English regions? We will question the coherency of New Labours constitutional change programme, and examine the new intergovernmental institutions and processes which have been set up to facilitate relations between central government and the devolved governments.
Key Readings:
Relevant chapters of your chosen textbook
Relevant chapters of your chosen textbook
Chapter 12 by Deacon in Jones/Norton
Seldon, chapters 4, 22, 23
Jeffery, C. (2009), ‘Devolution in the UK’, in M. Flinders et al (eds), The Oxford Handbook of British Politics
Jeffery in Dunleavy et al, Developments.
There is a very useful book series called State of the Nations, variously edited by Robert Hazell or Alan Trench, which give periodic updates on the progress of devolution and reforms around the UK.
Also:
Bogdanor, V (2001), Devolution in the United Kingdom. 2nd Ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Jeffery, C. ‘The Unfinished Business of Devolution: Seven Open Questions’ Public Policy and Administration, Vol. 22, No. 1, 92-108 (2007) (ejournal)
Mitchell, J. (2009), Devolution in the United Kingdom(Manchester: MUP)
Report of the Richard Commission (2004) at http://www.richardcommission.gov.uk/content/finalreport/report-e.pdf .
Tonge, J. (2003) ‘Politics in Northern Ireland’ in Developments in British Politics 7
Trench, A. (ed) (2007), Devolution and Power in the United Kingdom, Manchester: Manchester UP.
Trench, A. (2010), ‘The Options for Devolution Finance’, Political Quarterly 81:4 (e-journal)
Report of the Commission on Scottish Devolution(2009), at http://www.commissiononscottishdevolution.org.uk/uploads/2009-06-12-csd-final-report-2009fbookmarked.pdf
Your Scotland, Your Voice: A National Conversation (2009), the Scottish Government’s White Paper on the constitution, at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/11/26155932/0
Week 5: The UK, the European Union and the world
In the final week, we will examine the development of the UK as a member of the European Union. What has the history of British involvement in the EU been? Is it fair to describe the UK as an awkward partner in Europe? Does the pull of the special relationship with the US complement or detract from the development of UKs links with Europe? Why has Britain not joined the Euro or held a referendum on the EU Constitutional or Reform Treaties? How does the EU affect UK politics, and what does EU development mean for parliamentary sovereignty?
Key Readings:
Relevant chapters of your chosen textbook.
Fisher et al, chapters 8, 19
Seldon, chapters 24, 27 28
Smith in Developments
Also:
Aspinwall, M. (2000), ‘Structuring Europe: Powersharing Institutions and British Preferences on European Integration,’ Political Studies (e-journal)
Aspinwall, M. (2003), ‘What’s the Matter with the British? Ideology and Government Support for the European Monetary System’, European Journal of Political Research (e-journal).
Baker, D (2002) ‘Britain and Europe: More Blood on the Euro-Carpet’ Parliamentary Affairs 55.2 April 2002 (e-journal)
Baker, D. (2003) ‘Britain and Europe: Treading Water or Slowly Drowning?’ Parliamentary Affairs 56.2 (e-journal)
Beech, M. (2011), ‘British Conservatism and Foreign Policy: Traditions and Ideas Shaping Cameron’s World View’, British Journal of Politics and International Relations, 13: 3 (e-journal)
Bulmer, S. (2008), ‘New Labour, New European Policy? Blair, Brown and Utilitarian Supranationalism’, Parliamentary Affairs (e-journal)
Fella, S. (2006), ‘New Labour, Same Old Britain? The Blair Government and European Treaty Reform’, Parliamentary Affairs (e-journal).
George, S, (1998), An Awkward Partner. Britain and the European Community OUP
Morris, J (2011), ‘How Great is Britain? Power, Responsibility and Britain’s Future Role’, British Journal of Politics and International Relations, 13: 3 (e-journal)
See also British Journal of Politics & International Relations, Special issue, ‘After the Constitutional Treaty: Rethinking Britain and Europe’, Vol. 8(1), 2006
If you need an introductory textbook to the European Union, the following are good places to start:
Pinder, J. and Usherwood, S. (2007) The European Union: A very short introduction, 2nd
edition Oxford: OUP.
Bomberg, E. and A. Stubb (eds.) (2003) The European Union: How Does it Work? Oxford: OUP
SCOTTISH POLITICS
Prof David McCrone
Chisholm House
Email: d.mccrone@ed.ac.uk
ph 650 2459
COURSE AIMS
The course provides a basic introduction to Scottish politics. It considers the nature of Scottish autonomy and institutions within the British state. It examines the development of the national movement, and analyses the factors underpinning support for the Scottish Parliament. It considers the nature and extent of the 1997 devolution settlement and provides an understanding of the powers and structures of the Scottish Executive and Scottish Parliament, the Scottish party system and the policy-making process. Scottish political identities and party politics are also considered in comparative perspective.
FORMAT
The class meets on Tuesdays from 10:00 to 12:00 in the Seminar Room in Chisholm House. The course will involve a combination of lectures and tutorials. Students are expected to read the prescribed texts prior to class in order to respond constructively to lectures and participate fully in class discussions. The lectures and tutorials will be complemented by activities in the afternoon, including visits to the Scottish Parliament and Edinburgh City Chambers.
ASSESSMENT
Assessment will be based on two pieces of work: a short mid-term project worth 40% and a final class exam worth 60% of the final grade. For the mid-term project, students will be required to write a briefing paper (max 3 pages) on an aspect of Scottish politics. Two copies of the paper should be submitted to the Institute of Governance Main Office, by 12:00 on due date as per timetable. The class exam will be held on Friday, 14 October, 10:00-12:00. The exam will be designed to test knowledge and understanding acquired through readings, lectures and tutorial discussions.
USEFUL WEBSITES
1. Scottish Parliament: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/
2. Scottish Executive: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/
3. Electoral Commission: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/your-area/scotland.cfm
4. Institute of Governance: http://www.institute-of-governance.org/
5. Parliament news: http://www.institute-of-governance.org/pn/curr_issue.html
6. Scottish Affairs online articles: http://www.scottishaffairs.org/onlinepub
We will issue you with key documents:
(a) SPICE, Scottish Elections 2007
(b) The Scottish Parliament Factfile
For some highlights of the previous parliamentary session, see: http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/scotland/newsid_9531000/9531974.stm
You will be given a copy of ‘Scottish Elections 2011’, issued by Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe)
NOTE: Scottish Affairs, issue 76, 2011 is the required text this semester. It is a comprehensive analysis of the Scottish Election 2011. You will all be issued with a copy and expected to read it carefully.
RECOMMENDED READING
Jeffrey, C. and Mitchell, J. (eds) (2009) The Scottish Parliament 1999-2009: the first decade, Hansard Society with Luath Press.
Curtice, J., McCrone, D., McEwen, N., Marsh, M. and Ormston, R. (2009) Revolution or Evolution? The 2007 Scottish Elections, Edinburgh University Press.
Bechhofer, F. and McCrone, D. (eds) (2009) National Identity: Nationalism and Constitutional Change, Palgrave Macmillan, esp. chs. 4, 5 and 9
McGarvey, N. and Cairney, P. (2008) Scottish Politics: an introduction, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Lynch, P (2001) Scottish Government and Politics, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University
Press.
McCrone, D (2001) Understanding Scotland: the sociology of a nation, London:
Routledge, Second Edition.
Paterson, L., Bechhofer, F. & McCrone, D. (2004) Living in Scotland: social and economic change since 1980, Edinburgh University Press.
Balfour, A (2005), Creating a Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh: Finlay Brown.
Keating, M (2010), The Government of Scotland: public policy making after devolution, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Keating, M. (2009) The Independence of Scotland: self-government and the shifting politics of Union, Oxford University Press.
Keating, M. (ed.) (2007) Scottish Social Democracy: progressive ideas for public policy, Bruxelles, P.I.E. Peter Lang.
Bromley, C et al (eds.) (2006) Has Devolution Delivered? Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Bort, E. ‘Annals of the Parish: The Year at Holyrood, 2009-10, in Scottish Affairs, 73, Autumn 2010. (note that 2010-11 Annals will be available in early October 2011).
LECTURE PROGRAMME
Week 1: 6 Sept The Road to Home Rule
Week 2: 13 Sept Establishing the Scottish Parliament
Week 3: 20 Sept Parliament in Practice: Political Identities, Political Parties and Political
Behaviour
Week 4: 27 Sept Executive, Parliament and Policy-making
Week 5: 4 Oct Scotland in Comparative Perspective Scotland's External Relations
Week 1: Scotland in the Union
Lecture: Devolution was not an event in 1997 or 1999. It is a process with a long pedigree. Support for devolution and nationalism is often related to Scottish civil society, particularly in the immediate pre-history of Scottish home rule. The 'failed' referendum of 1979, the Campaign for a Scottish Assembly, the Scottish Constitutional Convention, and the second referendum in September 1997. Was it a resurgence of nationalism and identity politics which gave the decisive push, or the 'democratic deficit' of the Thatcher era?
Readings:
Readings:
The Union of 1707:
Devine, T.M. (2006) ‘In bed with the elephant? Almost 300 years of the Anglo-Scottish Union’, in Scottish Affairs, 57, Autumn 2006.
Devine, T.M. (ed.) (2008), Scotland and the union, 1707-2007, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2008.
Michael Fry, The Union: England, Scotland and the Treaty of 1707, Edinburgh:
Birlinn, 2006.
Paul Henderson Scott, The Union of 1707: Why and How? Edinburgh: The Saltire Society, 2006.
Christopher Whatley and Derek J Patrick, The Scots and the Union, Edinburgh:
Edinburgh University Press, 2006.
Why devolution happened:
McCrone, D, (2005) ‘Devolving Scotland’ in Balfour, A, Creating a Scottish Parliament.
Mitchell, J. (2009) Devolution in the UK, Manchester University Press.
Crick, B (2010), ‘The Four Nations: Interrelations’, in Scottish Affairs, no.71, pp.1-15.
McGarvey and Cairney (2008) ch.2
Brown, et al., 'Politics, State and Society' (Ch.2) and 'Politics and the Scottish
Constitution' (Ch. 3), op. cit.
Keating, M. (2001) 'Scottish Autonomy Now and Then', in MacInnes and McCrone, op. cit.
Morton, G. (1999) Unionist Nationalism: Governing Urban Scotland, 1840-60, East
Linton: Tuckwell, Ch. 2, 4
Paterson, L. (1994) The Autonomy of Modern Scotland, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, Ch. 3, 4 and 6
Taylor, B (1999), The Scottish Parliament, (Chs 1-8), Edinburgh: Polygon.
Discussion: How ‘nationalist’ are the Scots, and why?
Readings:
Hearn, J. (2002) 'Identity, class and civil society in Scotland's neo-nationalism' Nations and Nationalism, 8 (1): 15-30.
Lynch, P. (1996) 'The Scottish Constitutional Convention, 1992-5', SA, 15.
McCrone, D (2001), Understanding Scotland, Ch.7.
McCrone, D. (2008) Understated Nations: anomalies or solutions in the modern world? (http://www.institute-of-governance.org/onlinepub/mccrone/understatednations.html)
McCrone, D. (2002) 'Scotland, small? Making sense of nations in the 21st century' (IoG website)
McLean, B (2005), Getting It Together: The History of the Campaign for a Scottish
Assembly/Parliament, 1980-1999, Edinburgh: Luath Press
Paterson, L. (1998), A Diverse Assembly, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press
(selected chapters)
Week 2: Establishing the Parliament
Lecture: The Consultative Steering Group based the Scottish Parliament on founding principles even before it was elected. Features of the new Parliament are its new electoral system and its resulting partnership government and its achievements in gender balance. The Parliament is supposed to share its power with the people of Scotland or with Scotland's civil society.
Readings:
Consultative Steering Group (1999), Shaping Scotland's Parliament, Edinburgh:
Stationery Office.
McCrone, D. (2005) Devolving Scotland, in Balfour, Creating a Scottish Parliament.
Lynch (2001) 'The long road to a Scottish Parliament' (Ch. 2), op. cit.
Seminar: Why do people in Scotland vote the way they do?
Readings:
Scottish Affairs, no. 76, summer 2011: especially articles by Robertson, Torrance, Denver and Curtice.
Jeffery and Mitchell (2009) op. cit. 10, 11 and 12
McGarvey and Cairney (2008) op. cit. chs. 3 & 4
Election 2011, Edinburgh: SPICe briefing
Bromley, C. et al. (2006) Has Devolution Delivered? Chs. 2, 5, 7 & 9
Week 3: Identities, Parties and Politics
Lecture: How are Scottish political identities translated into political behaviour? Political preferences are studied within the context of Scotland's distinctive six-party system. Who are the MSPs and what is their role? How does partnership government work? And how has the Parliament been seen by the political observers and the general public since 1999?
Readings:
Bechhofer, F. and McCrone, D. (2009) National Identity, Nationalism and Constitutional Change, Palgrave Macmillan, chs. 1, 4 and 9
McCrone, D. (2009) ‘Conundrums and Contradictions: what Scotland wants’, in Jeffery and Mitchell (eds.) op. cit.
Curtice et al (2009), Revolution or Evolution?, Chs.5 and 6.
Scottish Affairs, no.72 (Summer 2010) – articles by Macdonald, Edwards, Denver, and Gallagher.
Bromley, C. et al. (2006) Has Devolution Delivered? Edinburgh University Press.
Bond, R. (2009) ‘Political Attitudes and National Identities in Scotland and England’, in Bechhofer, F, and McCrone, D. National Identity, Nationalism and Constitutional Change, Palgrave Macmillan,
Denver, D and Johns, R (2010), ‘Scottish Parliament Elections: British or Scottish, or more Scottish than British?, in Scottish Affairs, no.70, pp.9-28.
Bond, R. and M. Rosie (2002), 'National Identities in Post-Devolution Scotland', SA, 40, pp.34-53.
Bort, E. (2007) ‘Annals of the Parish: The Year at Holyrood, 2006-2007’, Scottish
Affairs, 61, pp.18-49.
Bort, E (2008), ‘Annals of the Parish: The Year at Holyrood, 2007-2008’, Scottish
Affairs, 65, pp.1-37.
Bort, E (2009), ‘Annals of the Parish: The Year at Holyrood, 2008-2009’, Scottish
Affairs, 69, pp.1-39.
Seminar: Why and how did women play a key role in the movement for home rule and in the making of the Scottish Parliament? In what ways, and why, does this contrast with ethnic minorities in Scotland?
Bromley, C. et al. (2006) Has Devolution Delivered? Edinburgh University Press.
Bond, R. and M. Rosie (2002), 'National Identities in Post-Devolution Scotland', SA, 40,
pp.34-53.
Bort, E. (2005) Annals of the Parish: The Year at Holyrood, 2004-2005, Scottish
Affairs, 53, pp.136-152.
Bort, E. (2006) Annals of the Parish: The Year at Holyrood, 2005-2006, Scottish
Affairs, 57, pp.112-134.
Bort, E. (2007) Annals of the Parish: The Year at Holyrood, 2006-2007, Scottish
Affairs, 61, pp.18-49.
Lynch (2001), 'Parties, elections and electoral behaviour' (Ch. 10), op. cit.
McCrone, D. (2001) 'Roots and Routes: Seeking Scottish Identity' (Ch. 7), op. cit.
McEwen, N. (2005) Adapting to Multi-Level Politics: The Political Parties and the
General Election in Scotland, Scottish Affairs, 53, pp.119-135.
Seminar: Why and how did women play a key role in the movement for home rule and in the making of the Scottish Parliament? And what about minority representation?
Readings:
Mackay, F, (2009) ‘Travelling the Distance: Equal Opportunities and the Scottish Parliament’, in Jeffery and Mitchell (op. cit.)
Kenny, M. and Mackay, F (2011) ‘In the Balance: Women and the 2011 Scottish Parliament Elections’, in Scottish Affairs, 76 (Summer), pp.74-86.
Mackay & Kenny ‘Women’s representation in the 2007 Scottish parliament: temporary setback or return to the norm?’, Scottish Affairs, 60, summer 2007.
Breitenbach, E. (2006) ‘Developments in Gender Equality Policies in Scotland Since
Devolution’, Scottish Affairs, 56 (Summer), pp.10-21.
Breitenbach, E. and F. Mackay (2001) 'Introduction: Women and Contemporary
Scottish Politics' in Breitenbach, and Mackay, op. cit.
Brown, A. (2001) 'Taking Their Place in the New House' (Ch. 19), in Breitenbach and
MacKay, op. cit. OR SA, 28: 44-50.
Week 4: Executive, Parliament and Policy Making
Lecture: This lecture examines the role and influence of the Parliament's committees in the process of policy-making and government scrutiny. How is law being made in the Scottish Parliament? What are Cross-Party Groups? We will also consider the degree to which the Scottish Executive can deviate from the Westminster policy agenda. Consideration will be given to the existing financial powers of the Parliament and the current debate over fiscal autonomy.
Readings:
Readings:
Keating, M. and Cairney, P. (2009) ‘The New Scottish Statute Book: the Scottish Parliament’s legislative record since 1999’, in Jeffery and Mitchell (eds.) op. cit.
Keating, M (2009), The Governmet of Scotland (chs 2,3,6 and 8)
Johnston, J. (2009) ‘The Legislative Process: the Parliament in Practice’, in Jeffery and Mitchell (eds.) op. cit.
McGarvey and Cairney (2008) op. cit. chs. 5-7; 9
Heald, D ed. (2002) Scottish Affairs No.41 (Special Issue: Fiscal Autonomy)
Heald, D, (1998) 'Financial Arrangements for UK Devolution', in Elcock and Keating,
op. cit.
MacCormick, N. (2000), 'Is there a Constitutional Path to Scottish Independence?',
Parliamentary Affairs, vol. 53, no 4: 721-36
Midwinter, A. (2006), ‘The Barnett Formula and its Critics Revisited: Evidence from the Post-Devolution Period’, SA 55 (Spring), pp.64-86.
Paterson, L, (1994), The Autonomy of Modern Scotland (chapter on welfare state)
Scottish Parliament Factfile Pack
Seminar:Research-based task using Parliament website: how did the minority SNP government of 2007-2011 differ from the coalition governments of 1999-2003 and 2003-7? What difference is having a government with an overall majority since 2011 likely to make? How much influence do opposition parties, parliamentary committees, and individual backbenchers, have to shape policy?
Readings:
Jeffery and Mitchell, J. (eds) (2009), chs. 3, 4, 5, 8 & 9
McGarvey and Cairney (2008) op. cit. ch.5
University Press.
… and use Scottish Parliament website!
Week 5: Scotland's External Relations
Lecture: Scottish politics is framed by the UK's peculiar unwritten constitution and the ambiguous nature of the historical union between Scotland and England. But just how distinctive is Scottish politics? How does Scotland's position within an emergent pattern of territorial politics in the UK (including devolved institutions in Wales, Northern Ireland and London) compare with that of other sub-state nations? Spain and Canada provide comparative leverage here. And how does Scotland relate to the enlarging and reforming European Union and to the world at large?
Readings:
M. Keating ‘The International Engagement of Sub-State Governments’, http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/committees/europe/inquiries/euDirectives/documents/IntEngSubStateGovernmentsNov2010.pdf
See also European and External Relations Committee Report (SP Paper 607): http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/committees/europe/reports-11/eur11-01-vol1.htm
Keating, M (2009) The Government of Scotland, ch.6.
McGarvey and Cairney (2008) op. cit. chs. 7 & 8
McCrone. D. (2008) ‘Understated Nations: anomalies or solutions in the modern world?’, http://www.institute-of-governance.org/onlinepub/mccrone/understatednations.html
Keating, M. (2000) Nations Against the State: the new politics of nationalism in
Québec, Catalonia and Scotland, Basingstoke: Palgrave, Ch. 1-3.
Lynch (2001) 'Devolution and multi-level governance' (Ch. 9) & 'Beyond the Mound'
(Ch. 12), op. cit.
MacCormick, N. (1996) 'The English Constitution, the British State and the Scottish
Anomaly', SA, Special Issue, Understanding Constitutional Change
Miller, D. (2001) 'Nationality in Divided Societies' in A. Gagnon and J. Tully,
Multinational Democracies, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Moreno, L. (1995) 'Multiple Ethnoterritorial Concurrence in Spain', Nationalism and
Ethnic Politics, Vol. 1, No. 1: 11-32
Nagel, K-J (2001) 'The 'Europe of the Regions' and the Identity Politics of Nations
without States', SA 36, 48-72.
Wyn Jones, R (2001) 'On Process, Events and Unintended Consequences: National
Identity and the Politics of Welsh Devolution', SA 37, 34-57.
Seminar: What is the future of ‘understated nations’ such as Scotland, as well as multi-national states such as the United Kingdom? What lessons, if any, can be learned from Catalonia and Québec? Does the European Union make a difference as regards such nations?
Readings:
Keating, M. (2009) The Independence of Scotland, op. cit. ch. 8
McCrone (2001) 'The sociology of a nation' (Ch. 8), op. cit.
Bechhofer & McCrone (2007) ‘Being British: a crisis of identity?’, in Political Quarterly, 78 (2).
See also the articles contained in SA, Special Issue on Catalonia, Québec and
Scotland (2001).
Scottish Affairs, 60, summer 2007: article by Tait
Scottish Society and Culture
Eberhard 'Paddy' Bort
Room F3, Chisholm House
Email: ebort@ed.ac.uk
ph: 650 2458
COURSE AIMS
This course intends to give the interns an introduction to Scottish society and culture, tying in with aspects of politics and governance taught in the other courses. Scotland being an old country, with a long national history, means that many sociological features have been long in the making; Scotland being a small country, particularly in terms of population, affects the form and frequency of social interaction.
The course will progress from the larger context of the economic, social and cultural history and identity of modern Scotland and the examination of key institutions which shape Scottish life, on to social groupings and, finally, to expressions of culture and the arts, especially the literature of Scotland.
FORMAT
In general, the morning sessions will be in the lecture/seminar format, and the afternoon programme will involve visits to various Edinburgh sites (museums, galleries, etc) to provide complementary channels of learning.
Students will be asked to make presentations (based on readings) and lead specific discussions. Newspapers and other media offer a way in to topical issues of sociological and cultural importance students are advised to make good us of these sources. Students should keep a diary of news items, particularly if there is a hint that these sociological or cultural processes play out differently than they might do in the US (or the UK).
ASSESSMENT
Students must complete an essay (topics will be provided by lecturer).of 2,000-3000 words, which has to be submitted (two copies) by deadline (as per timetable) to the main office of the Institute of Governance, Chisholm House. Extensions will only be granted if requested before the deadline, and in exceptional circumstances. The essay will contribute 80% towards the overall assessment. Late work will be penalised! Students will also be asked to make a short presentation in class, followed by a written summary of c.1000 words which will contribute 20% to the overall grade.
Core Texts
The core texts for the course are:
• Devine, T.M. and Finlay, R.J., eds. (1996) Scotland in the Twentieth Century,
Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
• McCrone, D. (2001) Understanding Scotland: The Sociology of a Nation, new ed., London and New York: Routledge.
Additional Essential Reading
- Catriona M M Macdonald (2009), Whaur Extremes Meet: Scotland’s Twentieth Century, Edinburgh: John Donald.
- Brown, A., McCrone, D. and Paterson, L. (1998) Politics and Society in Scotland, 2nd ed., Basingstoke: Macmillan [esp. chaps.1, 8 & 9].
- Paterson, L. (1994) The Autonomy of Modern Scotland, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
- Paterson, L, Bechhofer, F and McCrone, D (2004) Living in Scotland: Social and Economic Change since 1980 Edinburgh University Press
- Hassan, G and Warhurst, C, eds (2002) Tomorrow's Scotland, London: Lawrence and Wishart.
- Hassan, G and Warhurst, C, eds (2002) Anatomy of the New Scotland: Power, Influence and Change, Edinburgh: Mainstream.
- McCrone, D, Morris, A and Kiely, R (1999) Scotland the Brand: The Making of Scottish Heritage, Edinburgh: Polygon.
- Paterson, L, Brown, A, Curtice, J, Hinds, K, McCrone, D, Park, A, Sproston, K and Surridge, P (2001) New Scotland, New Politics?, Edinburgh: Polygon.
- Curtice, J, McCrone, D, Park, A and Paterson, L, eds (2002) New Scotland, New Society?, Edinburgh: Polygon.
- Harvie, C (2002) Scotland: A Short History, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Gardiner, M (2005) Modern Scottish Culture, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
- Pittock, M. (2008), The Road to Independence? Scotland since the Sixties, London: Reaktion.
- Rab Houston (2008), Scotland: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press
LECTURE PROGRAMME
Week 1: 7 Sept Scottish History & Identity
Week 2: 14 Sept Social Institutions
Week 3: 21 Sept Class, Gender & Ethnicity
Week 4: 28 Sept Language & Culture
Week 5: 5 Ocot Contemporary Scottish Culture
Week 1: Scottish History & Identity
What makes Scotland tick? Who are the Scots? What do they identify with? Which are the historical events and developments that shaped Scottish identity? When was Scotland and how many Scotlands are there?
Well be looking at stereotypes, myths, and the mapping Scottish history
Key Readings:
Devine and Finlay (1996) chaps 1, 2, 7, 8 & 9
Harvie (2002)
Pittock (2008)
Houston (2008)
Suggested Readings:
Brown, McCrone (2001) Paterson, ch. 1.
Paterson et al (2001), ch.7
Devine, T.M. (2006) In bed with the elephant? Almost 300 years of the Anglo-Scottish Union, in Scottish Affairs, 57, Autumn 2006.
Discussion:
Mapping Scottish History/Identity; the Union of 1707, its reasons and its consequences; Highlands and Lowlands; Enlightenment, Kailyard, Scottish Duality, Renaissance, industrialisation and de-industrialisation, the Devolution & Independence debates.
Activity:
Visit to The Peoples Story and the Edinburgh Museum both museums of Edinburgh (and Scottish) social history located on the Royal Mile.
Week 2: Social Institutions
In the Union, Scotland maintained a degree of autonomy, mainly based on its institutions of law, religion, education and local government. How have they developed over the centuries and what effect does devolution have on them?
Key Readings:
Devine & Finlay. Chaps 12, 13, & 14
Paterson, chaps 1 & 2
Suggested Readings:
Thomson, J.M. (1995), Scots Law, National Identity and the European Union, Scottish
Affairs, 10, pp,25-34
MacCormack, N. (1998), The English Constitution, the British State and the Scottish
Anomaly, Scottish Affairs, Special Issue Understanding Constitutional Change,
pp.129-145
Jarvi, G. and Thomson I. (1999), Sport, Nationalism and the Scottish Parliament,
Scottish Affairs, 27, pp.82-96
Macdonald, S. (1999), The Gaelic Renaissance and Scotlands Identity, Scottish Affairs,
26, pp.100-118
Paterson, L (2000) Education and the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh: Dunedin
Academic Press.
Reid, H (2002) Outside Verdict: An Old Kirk in a New Scotland, Edinburgh: St Andrew
Press.
Raffe, D (2004) How Distinctive is Scottish Education? Five Perspectives on
Distinctiveness, Scottish Affairs, 49, pp.50-72.
Discussion
The Estates we will focus on key social institutions in three major areas: religion, education, and law often viewed as the pillars of Scottish civil society.
Week 3: Class, Gender and Ethnicity
The sociology of Scotland - all Jock Tamson's Bairns or class-divided society? How important is social class in Scotland? What is the role of women in Scottish society? Ethnic minorities and 'multi-cultural' society?
Key Readings:
Devine & Finlay, chaps 6 & 10
Breitenbach. E. (1997), Curiously Rare? Scottish Women of Interest, Scottish Affairs,
18, pp.82-94.
MacInnes, J. (1998), The Myth of the Macho Scotsman: Attitudes to Gender, Work, and
the Family in the UK, Ireland and Europe, Scottish Affairs, 23, pp.108-124.
Brown, A. (1999). Taking Their place in the New House: Women and the Scottish
Parliament, Scottish Affairs, 28, pp.44-50.
Cant, B. and Kelly, E. (1995), Why is there a need for Racial Equality Activity in
Scotland?, Scottish Affairs, 12, pp.9-26.
Lindsay, I. (1997), 'The Uses and Abuses of National Stereotypes', Scottish Affairs, 20,
pp.133-148.
Maan, B. (1992), The New Scots, Edinburgh: John Donald.
Mackay, F. (2003), 'Women and the 2003 Elections: keeping up the Momentum', SA, 44,
74-90.
Breitenbach, E. and F, Mackay (2001), Introduction & Sections I & III
Scottish Affairs 56 (Summer) 2006 Public Policy and Equality: Mainstreaming
Equalities
Suggested Readings:
McCrone, chaps 4 &5
Kelly, E. (1999), Stands Scotland Where it did?, Scottish Affairs. 26, pp.83-99.
Dickson, M, (1994), Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot? A Comparison of the Scots
and English in Scotland, Scottish Affairs, 7, pp.112-134.
Jedrej, C. and Nuttal, M. (1995), Incomers and Locals: Metaphors and Reality in the
Repopulation of Rural Scotland, Scottish Affairs, 10, pp.112-126.
Breitenbach, E. and F, Mackay (2001), Section II.
Curtice, J et al (2002), chs 3,4 and 5.
Paterson, Brown et al (2001), ch.4.
Hopkins, P (2004) Everyday Racism in Scotland: A Case Study of East Pollockshields,
Scottish Affairs, 49, pp.88-103.
Maan, B (2008), The Thistle and the Crescent, Glendaruel: Argyll Publishing.
Discussion
Social class and ethnicity; social structure, social groups and their significance; gender issues and issues of race relations.
Week 4: Language and Culture
What is the historical and contemporary relationship between Scotland's languages? What have been the most significant cultural movements in Scotland? Have the 'big three' Burns, Scott, Stevenson still relevance today?
Key Readings:
Broadie, A (2001), The Scottish Enlightenment, Edinburgh: Birlinn.
Cormack, M. (1997), Spoken Scots in the Media, Scottish Affairs. 21, pp.119-135.
McLeod, W. (1997), Official Status for Gaelic: Prospects and Problems, Scottish
Affairs, 21, pp.95-118.
McLeod, Wilson (ed.) (2006) Revitalising Gaelic in Scotland, Edinburgh: Dunedin
Academic Press.
Macdonald, S. (1999), The Gaelic Renaissance and Scotlands Identities, Scottish
Affairs, 26, pp.100-118.
MacDougall, Carl (2006) Scots: The Language of the People, Edinburgh: Black & White
Publishing.
Finlay, A. (1996), A River that Flows On: A critical overview of Hamish Hendersons
life and work, in Finlay, A., ed., The Armstrong Nose: Selected Letters of
Hamish Henderson, Edinburgh: Polygon, pp.299-356.
Sassi, Carla (2005) Why Scottish Literature Matters, Edinburgh: Saltire Society.
Suggested Readings:
Broadie, A (2001), The Scottish Enlightenment, Edinburgh: Birlinn.
Cormack, M. (1997), ‘Spoken Scots in the Media’, Scottish Affairs. 21, pp.119-135.
McLeod, W. (1997), ‘Official Status for Gaelic: Prospects and Problems’, Scottish
Affairs, 21, pp.95-118.
McLeod, Wilson (ed.) (2006) Revitalising Gaelic in Scotland, Edinburgh: Dunedin
Academic Press.
Macdonald, S. (1999), ‘The Gaelic Renaissance and Scotland’s Identities’, Scottish
Affairs, 26, pp.100-118.
MacDougall, Carl (2006) Scots: The Language of the People, Edinburgh: Black & White
Publishing.
Finlay, A. (1996), ‘A River that Flows On: A critical overview of Hamish Henderson’s
life and work’, in Finlay, A., ed., The Armstrong Nose: Selected Letters of
Hamish Henderson, Edinburgh: Polygon, pp.299-356.
Sassi, Carla (2005) Why Scottish Literature Matters, Edinburgh: Saltire Society.
Kelly, S (2010) Scott-land: The Man Who Invented a Nation, Edinburgh: Polygon.
Robert Burns
Andrew Noble & Patrick Hogg Scott (eds), The Canongate Burns: The Complete Poems
and Songs of Robert Burns, Edinburgh: Canongate, 2001
Patrick Hogg Scott, Robert Burns: The Patriot Bard, Edinburgh: Mainstream, 2008.
Robert Crawford, The Bard. Robert Burns: A Biography, London: Jonathan Cape, 2009.
Suggested Readings:
Phillipson, N (2010), Adam Smith: An Enlightened Life, London: Allan Lane.
Buchan , J (2003), Capital of the Mind: How Edinburgh Changed the World, London:
John Murray
Cosh, M. (2002), Edinburgh: The Golden Age, Edinburgh: John Donald Publishers.
Broadie, A. (1997), The Scottish Enlightenment: An Anthology, Edinburgh.
Broadie, A. (2003), The Cambridge Companion to the Scottish Enlightenment,
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Davie, G.E. (1991), The Scottish Enlightenment and Other Essays, Edinburgh.
Glen, D. (1964), Hugh MacDiarmid and the Scottish Renaissance, Edinburgh:
Chambers.
Herman, A (2002), The Scottish Enlightenment, London: Fourth Estate.
Kidd, C. (1993), Subverting Scotland’s Past, Cambridge.
McClure, J. Derrick. (2000) Language, Poetry and Nationhood, Edinburgh:
Tuckwell Press.
Kay, B. (2006), Scots: The Mither Tongue, Edinburgh: Mainstream.
Neat, T (2007) Hamish Henderson: A Biography, vol.1, Edinburgh: Birlinn.
Neat, T (2009) Hamish Henderson: A Biography, vol.2, Edinburgh: Birlinn.
McIlvanney, L (2003), Burns, the Radical: Politics and poetry in Late Eighteenth-century
Scotland, East Linton: Tuckwell Press.
Discussion
Language and Culture; Gaelic, Scots, English; Scottish Enlightenment, Kailyard, Scottish Renaissance, Folk Revival, a 'new renaissance'?
Activity: Visit to the Writers Museum and the National Gallery.
Week 5: Contemporary Culture
How are the arts and culture in general doing under devolution? A 'new renaissance' or a 'barren land'? A closer look at the arts literature, music, visual arts, theatre, TV and film in contemporary Scotland.
Key Readings:
Devine & Finlay, chaps 11 & 15
McCrone, ch. 7
Brown et al., ch. 9
McCrone, D., Morris, A, and Kiely, R. (1995), Scotland the Brand: The Making
of Scottish Heritage, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press [esp. chaps 3
& 4].
Suggested Readings:
MacDougall, Carl (2004) Writing Scotland, Edinburgh: Polygon.
MacDougall, Carl (2006) Scots: The Language of the People, Black & White Publishing.
Pittock, M. (1991), The Invention of Scotland, London.
Smout, T.C. (1992), Patterns of Culture, in Dickson, A. and Treble, J.H., eds,
People and Society in Scotland, Vol, III, 19-14+1990, Edinburgh: John
Donald.
Nairn, T. (1997), Identities in Scotland, in Nairn, T., Faces of Nationalism:
James Revisited, London: Verson, pp.183-193.
Edensor, T. (1997), Reading Braveheart: Representing and Contesting Scottish
Identity, Scottish Affairs, 21, pp.135-158.
Craig, C (2000) The Modern Scots Novel: Narrative and the National
Imagination. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Schoene, B. (ed) (2007) The Edinburgh Companion to Contemporary Scottish Literature,
Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
MacDonald, M (2000) Scottish Art, London: Thames and Hudson.
Calder, A (2002) Scotlands of the Mind, Edinburgh: Luath Press.
Bill Findlay (ed.), A History of Scottish Theatre, Edinburgh: Polygon, 1998.
Bruce Peter, Scotland's Splendid Theatres, Edinburgh: Polygon, 1999.
Donald Campbell, Playing for Scotland: a History of the Scottish Stage, 1715-1965,
Edinburgh: Mercat Press, 1996.
Randall Stevenson and Gavin Wallace (eds), Scottish Theatre Since the Seventies,
Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 1996.
Frank Bruce, Scottish Showbusiness: Music Hall, Variety and Pantomime (Scotland's
Past in Action Series), Edinburgh: NMS, 2000.
Paul Maloney, Scotland and the Music Hall, 1850-1914, Manchester: Manchester
University Press, 2003.
John McGrath, Six-pack: Plays for Scotland, Edinburgh: Polygon, 1996.
Ian Brown and Mark Fisher (eds), Made in Scotland: New Theatre Scripts (Methuen New
Theatrescripts), London: Methuen, 1995.
Murdo Macdonald, Scottish Art (World of Art), London: Thames and Hudson, 2000.
Duncan Macmillan, Scottish Art, 1460-2000, Edinburgh: Mainstream, 2000.
Selina Skipwith and Bill Smith, History of Scottish Art, Merrell, 2003.
Paul Harris, Julian Halsby, The Dictionary of Scottish Painters: 1600 to the Present,
Edinburgh: Canongate, 2001.
Trustees of the National Galleries of Scotland (eds), A Companion Guide to the National
Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh: National Galleries of Scotland, 2000.
Trustees of the National Galleries of Scotland (eds), A Companion Guide to the Scottish
National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh: National Galleries of Scotland, 1999.
Philip Long and Elizabeth Cumming (eds),The Scottish Colourists: Cadell, Fergusson,
Hunter and Peploe, Edinburgh: Mainstream, 2000.
Roger Billcliffe, The Scottish Colourists, London: John Murray, 1989.
Roger Billcliffe, The Glasgow Boys: The Glasgow School of Painting 1875-1895,
London: John Murray, 2002.
Vivien Hamilton, Joseph Crawhall 1861-1913: One of the Glasgow Boys, London: John
Murray, 1997.
Alan Crawford, Charles Rennie Mackintosh (World of Art), London: Thames and
Hudson, 1995.
Duncan Macmillan, Elizabeth Blackadder, Aldershot: Ashgate, 1999.
Discussion
Contemporary Culture, the Arts and Scottish identity; a contemporary Scottish renaissance?
Activity
Visit to the National Portrait Gallery
Oh what a tangled web we weave,
When first we practise to deceive!
Marmion. Canto vi. Stanza 17.
Essay Writing Guidelines
Essay Requirements
When submitting course work students are encouraged to present typed essays that include a cover page listing the course, title of essay, name of students and date. Pages within the essay should be numbered. Essays should be written in clear concise English, with attention to correct spelling, punctuation and grammar. Essays should contain an introduction to the topic, an original analysis of the research material and a conclusion summarising the main points of the essay. It is important to engage with the essay question and the relevant literature on any chosen topic web sources need to be treated with caution! Course lecturers are available for advice on essay structure and research. If in doubt please consult a member of the teaching team. Please submit two copies of your essay and please note that late submission will result in lower marks.
References and Bibliographies
Essays must confirm to acknowledged academic referencing and bibliographic style. References to ideas that are not the authors own must be acknowledged within the text, either with a parenthetical reference listing the original authors name, date of publication and page number, or with an endnote or footnote. All works referenced within the essay must be included in a bibliography at the end of the essay. All ideas that are not the students own must be referenced. Failure to do so results in plagiarism, which is treated as a serious academic offence by the University.
Research Bibliography
When researching for courses or for the internship report, students may consult a number of resources contained within the major libraries in Edinburgh. The journal Scottish Affairs, published by the Institute of Governance (and of which a full set is available in the interns' offices in Chisholm House), is a useful starting point. Students may also wish to consult copies of The Economist, New Statesman, Spectator and Prospect and early copies of the Scottish Government Yearbook for background information. The following academic journals may also provide useful information:
British Journal of Political Science Parliamentary Affairs
British Journal of Sociology Political Studies
Ethnic and Racial Studies Regional and Federal Studies
Nations and Nationalism Scottish Review of Books
The British Social Attitudes series is also a useful source of information on changing attitudes and values within Britain.
Select Bibliography
The following books some of them already mentioned in this course handbook may provide help for students when researching essay topics.
Bennie, Lynn, Jack Brand and James Mitchell (1997) How Scotland Votes. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
Breitenbach, Esther and Fiona Mackay, eds (2001) Women and Contemporary Scottish Politics, Edinburgh: Polygon.
Bromley, C, Curtice, J, Hinds, K and A. Park (2003) Devolution: Scottish Answers to Scottish Questions? Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Brown, Rob (ed.) (2007) Nation in a State: Independent Perspectives on Scottish Independence, Dunfermline: Ten Book Press.
Brown, Tom and Henry McLeish (2007) Scotland: The Road Divides, Edinburgh: Luas.
Calder, Angus (2002) Scotlands of the Mind, Edinburgh: Luath Press.
Colley, Linda (1994) Britons: forging the nation, 1707-1837. London: Pimlico
Cowan, Edward J and Richard Finlay, eds (2002) Scottish History: The Power of the Past, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Crowther, J., Martin, I. and Shaw, M., eds (2003), Renewing democracy in Scotland: An educational source book, Leicester: National Institute of Adult Continuing Education.
Curtice, John, David McCrone, Alison Park and Lindsay Paterson (2002) New Scotland, New Society?, Edinburgh: Polygon.
Dardanelli, Paolo (2005) Between two Unions: Europeanisation and Scottish devolution, Manchester: Manchester University Press.
Denver, David (1994) Elections and Voting Behaviour in Britain 2nd ed. London: Harvester Wheatsheaf
Devine, T.M (2000) The Scottish Nation 1700-2000. London: Penguin
Devine, T M (2003), Scotland's Empire, 1600-1815, London: Penguin
Devine, T.M ed. (2000) Scotlands Shame: bigotry and sectarianism in modern Scotland. Edinburgh: Mainstream.
Devine, T.M. and P. Logue, eds. (2002), Being Scottish: Personal Reflections on Scottish Identity Today, Edinburgh: Polygon.
Devine, T.M. and R. Mitchison, eds (1998) People and Society in Scotland. Edinburgh: John Donald
Dickson, H T and Michael Lynch eds (2000), The Challenge to Westminster: Sovereignty, Devolution and Independence, Phantassie: Tuckwell, Donnachie, Ian and Christopher Whatley, eds., (1992) The Manufacture of Scottish History. Edinburgh: Polygon
Finlay, Richard (1994) Independent and Free: the origins of the Scottish National Party. Edinburgh: John Donald
Harvie, Christopher (1998) Scotland and Nationalism: Scottish Society and Politics 1707-Present, 3rd ed. London: Routledge
Harvie, Christopher and Peter Jones (2000) Road to Home Rule: Images of Scotlands Cause. Edinburgh: Polygon
Harvie, Christopher (2002) Sotland: A Short History, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Harvie, Christopher (2004) Mending Scotland: essays in economic regionalism, Glendaruel: Argyll Press.
Hassan, Gerry, ed. (2004)) The Scottish Labour Party: History, Institutions and Ideas Edinburgh University Press
Hassan, Gerry and Peter Lynch (2001) The Almanac of Scottish Politics, London: Politico.
Hassan, Gerry and Chris Warhurst, eds (1999) A Different Future: A Moderniser's Guide to Scotland, Edinburgh and Glasgow: Centre for Scottish Public Policy and The Big Issue.
Hassan, Gerry and Chris Warhurst, eds (2002) Tomorrow's Scotland, London: Lawrence and Wishart.
Hassan, Gerry and Chris Warhurst , eds (2002) Anatomy of the New Scotland: Power, Influence and Change, Edinburgh: Mainstream.
Hazell, Robert, ed. (2000) The State and the Nations: The First Year of Devolution in the United Kingdom, London: Constitution Unit/Imprint,
Hearn, Johnathan (2000) Claiming Scotland: national identity and liberal culture. Edinburgh: Polygon
Hutchison, I G C (2001), Scottish Politics in the Twentieth Century, Basingstokes: Palgrave
Ichijo, Atsuko (2004) Scottish Nationalism and the Idea of Europe, London: Routledge.
Jamieson, Bill (ed.) (2006) Scotlands Ten Tomorrows, London: Continuum.
Kay, Billy (2006) The Scottish World: A Journey into the Scottish Diaspora, Edinburgh, Mainstream
Keating, Michael, ed. (2007) Scottish Social Democracy: Progressive Ideas for Public Policy, Brussels: Peter Lang.
Kellas, James (1989) The Scottish Political System. 4th ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Lynch, Michael (1992) Scotland: a new history. London: Pimlico
Lynch, Michael ed. (2001) The Oxford Companion to Scottish History Oxford Universit Press.
Lynch, Peter (2001) Scottish Government and Politics, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
McCracken-Flesher, Caroline (2005) Possible Scotlands: Walter Scott and The Story of Tomorrow, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
McCrone, David (2001) Understanding Scotland: the sociology of a nation (second edition), London: Routledge
McFadden, Jean and Mark Lazarowicz (2000) The Scottish Parliament: an introduction. Edinburgh: T & T Clark
McLeish, Henry (2004) Scotland First: Truth and Consequences, Edinburgh: Mainstream
Marr, Andrew (1995) Ruling Britannia: the Failure and Future of British Democracy London: Michael Press.
Marr, Andrew (2000) The Day Britain Died, London: Profile
Menzies, Gordon ed. (2001) In Search of Scotland, Edinburgh: Polygon/BBC Scotland
Mitchell, James (1996) Strategies for Self-Government: the campaigns for a Scottish Parliament. Edinburgh: Polygon
Morton, Graeme (1999) Unionist Nationalism: governing urban Scotland 1830-1860. East Linton: Tuckwell
Nairn, Tom (2000) After Britain: New Labour and the Return of Scotland. London:Granta.
Paterson, Lindsay, Alice Brown, John Curtice, Kerstin Hinds, David McCrone, Alison
Park, Kerry Sproston and Paula Surridge (2001) New Scotland, New Politics?, Edinburgh: Polygon.
Pittock, Murray G H (2001) Scottish Nationality, Basingstoke: Palgrave
Pittock, Murray G H (2003) A New History of Scotland, Stroud: Sutton.
Ritchie, Murray (2000) Scotland Reclaimed: the inside story of Scotlands first Democratic parliamentary election. Edinburgh: Saltire Society.
Robertson, J. (2002) A Scots Parliament, Kettlebrig: Itchy Coo.
Rosie, George (2004) Curious Scotland: Tales from a Hidden History London: Granta
Schlesinger, Philip, David Miller and William Dinan (2001) Open Scotland? Journalists, Spin Doctors and Lobbyists, Edinburgh: Polygon
Taylor, Brian (2002) Scotland's Parliament: Triumph and Disaster. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Taylor, Brian (2002) The Road to the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Taylor, Bridget and Katarina Thomson, eds (1999) Scotland and Wales: Nations Again? Cardiff: University of Wales
Watson, Mike (2001) Year Zero: An Inside View of the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh: Polygon
Whatley, Christopher (2000), Scottish Society, 1707-1830: Beyond Jacobitism, towards Industrialisation, Manchester: Manchester University Press.
Wormald, Jenny, ed. (2005) Scotland: A History, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Activities Programme
Autumn 2011
Internship tutors: Martin Booker
E-mail: martin.booker@homosociologicus.de
Your activities tutor is Edinburgh University postgrad Martin Booker
Most of the activities take place in the afternoon and following activities have been scheduled:
• Introduction to the University Library
• Tour of the National Library of Scotland
• Visit to the Scottish Parliament (Plenary Session)
• Attending a Parliamentary Committee Meeting
• Visit to Edinburgh City Chambers and meeting with Parliamentary Liaison Officer Councillor Kate Moulin
• Meeting with a Scottish journalist
• Meeting with Mr John Edward, Head of the European Parliament Office in Scotland
• Meeting with the Media Relations Officer of the Scottish Parliament
• Meeting with a Scottish MP
Martin will distribute the full activities programme (including time and places to meet) at our first meeting in September. Attendance is compulsory and forms a required part of your internship programme.
Institute of Governance
The University of Edinburgh
Political Internship Programme with the Scottish Parliament
WEEKLY MEDIA REVIEW
You are required to undertake a weekly media review, and submit a one-page summary each Monday afternoon during the 5 week teaching course. This review will complement the lectures, and is intended to provide you with an insight into the role of the media in channelling news events and shaping public opinion in Scotland.
Each week, you should choose a single politically relevant topic in the news that week, and compare and contrast the reporting of this topic in two newspapers. In conducting the review, the primary focus should be on the manner in which the issue is reported (i.e. not so much on the details of the issue itself). You should seek to identify the editorial bias, the style adopted (e.g. sensationalist, serious, etc.), the prominence given to the topic, the intended audience, the sources of information, etc.
You should choose a different topic each week. In addition, you should also choose a different combination of newspapers each week in order to develop your understanding of the media in Scotland.
These assignments are compulsory.
NB!
Weekly media reviews are due in the interns pigeonhole
in Chisholm House by Monday afternoon!
Alternatively, you can email them (preferably copied into the email itself and not as an attachment) to Carrie at c.a.purcell@sms.ed.ac.uk
Resources
Libraries
University of Edinburgh Main Library, George Sq
Europa Library, Old College, South Bridge
National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge
Edinburgh City (Central) Library, George IV Bridge
Web Links
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party www.scottish.tory.org.uk
Scottish Labour Party www.scottish.labour.co.uk
Scottish Liberal Democrats www.scotlibdems.org.uk
Scottish National Party www.snp.org.uk
Scottish Green Party www.scottishgreens.org.uk
Scottish Socialist Party www.scottishsocialistparty.org
Scottish Parliament www.scottish.parliament.uk
Scottish Executive www.scotland.gov.uk
Westminster www.parliament.uk
Welsh Assembly www.wales.gov.uk/index.html
Northern Ireland Assembly www.ni-assembly.gov.uk
European Union www.europa.eu.int
Centre for Research into Electoral and Social Trends (CREST)
www.strath.ac.uk/other/CREST
Scotland Europa www.scotlandeuropa.com/private
Commission on Local Government and the Scottish Parliament
www.lg-scot-commission.gov.uk
Scottish Affairs www.scottishaffairs.org
Parliamentary elections since 1983 www.qmw.ac.uk/~laws/election/home.html
Scottish Civic Forum www.civicforum.org.uk
BBC Scotland www.bbc.co.uk/scotland
Scottish Politics Links www.netmedia.co.uk/links/default.html
Scottish Media http://www.pr-scotland.com/national.htm
Think Tanks
The Institute of Governance Scottish Council Foundation
Chisholm House 23 Chester Street
1 Surgeon Square Edinburgh
High School Yards EH3 7ET
Edinburgh
Centre for Scottish Public Policy The Policy Institute
www.cspp.org.uk/ 65 Queen Street
Edinburgh
EH2 4NA
Scotlands Futures Forum
www.scotlandfutureforum.org/
Scottish Council for Voluntary
Organisations ThinkSotland
www.scvo.org.uk/ www.thinkscotland.org/
ReformScotland
www.reformscotland.com/
Newspapers
Most newspapers are published six times per week. Separate Sunday papers are published by the same organisations but retain different editorial staff and journalists. Past issues of the following newspapers, and major English and international papers, may be found in the University Main Library in George Square.
The Scotsman (Edinburgh) www.scotsman.com
Scotland on Sunday
The Herald (Glasgow) www.theherald.com
Sunday Herald
Press and Journal (Aberdeen) www.pressandjournal.co.uk
Daily Record (Glasgow) www.record-mail.co
Sunday Mail
Other Primary Resources
In addition, students may wish to consult the following sources. Address and phone numbers are located in the phone book or at the web site:
Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) www.cosla.gov.uk
Church of Scotland www.cofs.org.uk
Scottish Trade Union Council (STUC) www.stuc.demon.com
University Resources
Edinburgh University Students Association (EUSA) Bristo Square
• For clubs, associations, student government, student services
Accommodation Service Pollock Halls
• Manages student housing
International Students Centre Buccleuch Place
• Runs day trips, coffee groups for international students
International Office George Square
• University administration of international students
University operator 650 1000
Conferences/Seminars
Politics and Sociology at Edinburgh University are running a series of public seminars during term-time; please get in touch with the departmental secretaries.
Other Events
Edinburgh Life
For non-academic events students may wish to consult The List, a fortnightly publication which contains information on clubs, movies, theatre, music events, book signings and all other social events occurring in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Central Cinemas:
Cameo, 38 Home Street. 258-4141
Filmhouse. 88 Lothian Road, 228-2688
UCI, Kinnaird Park, 669-0777
Museums and Galleries:
City Art Gallery, Market Street
Dean Gallery, Belford Road
Fruitmarket Gallery, Market Street
Modern Art Gallery, Belford Road
National Art Gallery, The Mound
Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street
Royal Museum, Chambers Street
National Portrait Gallery, Queen Street
Stills, Cockburn Street
Talbot Rice Gallery, Old College, University of Edinburgh
Theatres and Concert Venues:
Edinburgh Playhouse, Greenside Place
Festival Theatre, Nicolson Street
Kings Theatre, Leven Street
The Pleasance Cabaret Bar, 60 The Pleasance
Queens Hall, South Clerk Street
Royal Lyceum, Grindlay Street
Traverse Theatre, Lothian Road
Usher Hall, Lothian Road
The Hub, Castle Hill
Edinburgh Folk Club
The Pleasance Theatre/Cabaret Bar, 60 The Pleasance
Every Wednesday, 8pm Tickets £7 (students £6)
www.edinburghfolkclub.org.uk
The Wee Folk Club:
The Royal Oak, 1 Infirmary Street, ph 557 2976
Every Sunday, 8.30pm - Tickets only £3!
www.royal-oak-folk.com
Scotland at a Glance
Parliamentary Seats (Elections 1999-2003-2007)
Basic Statistics
Population (2001) 5 064 200(UK 58 836 700) [8,6%*]
Size 78 133 km2 (32 %)
Density 64.8 people/km2
Time Zones 1
Unemployment (August '03) 5.7%
Average income per week
1998-2001 £419 (UK £480) [87.3%)
Ethnic minority population 2 % (1991: 1,3%)
Religion Church of Scotland, established
Church, Presbyterian 42%
Catholic 15.9%
Language use English 93%, Gaelic 1%
Official Language English
Share of seats in House of 59 of 646
Commons
Distribution of Westminster
seats Lab 41, SNP 6, LD 11, Con 1
(election result May 2005)
Scottish History - A Brief Sketch
Paddy Bort
Picts, Gaels, Angles & Vikings
The novelist William McIlvanney has called Scotland "the mongrel nation", reflecting on the coming and going of tribes and peoples. The enigmatic Picts in the North, the Gaels who formed the Kingdom of the Isles, encompassing most of West Scotland and North-Eastern Ireland, the Angles who pushed up from Northern England, and the Vikings who came, initially, to raid, but who soon settled and added to the mongrel blend.
Only towards the end of the first millennium can we speak of a country called Scotland, or Alba, or Caledonia when, in the 9th century, Kenneth MacAlpin united Gaels and Picts under his rule.
Braveheart & Co
The 1995 Holywood blockbuster Braveheart, starring Mel Gibson as the Scottish 'freedom fighter' William Wallace, put the focus on the Scottish War of Independence at the turn of the 14th century, when Wallace and Robert the Bruce defended Scotland's independence against the English forces of Edward I, culminating in the battle of Bannockburn in 1314 and producing the Declaration of Arbroath (1320), arguably the first such document enshrining the doctrine of popular sovereignty. This period also saw the beginning of the Auld Alliance between Scotland and France.
John Knox and the Scottish Reformation
The 16th century saw the Reformation taking root in Scotland, not as a superficial state-led exercise as in Henry VIII's England, but as a Calvinist upheaval, led by the fiery preacher John Knox (c.1514-72), and the rivalry between Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots (still the stuff of drama and romance).
Union of Crowns
After the death of Elizabeth I, the English crown fell to James VI of Scotland who, in 1603, became James I of the newly united Kingdom. Repeated attempts to forge a union of parliaments failed in the 17th century.
Darien and the Act of Union
Several factors contributed to the eventual Act of Union in 1707, not least the disastrous Scottish attempt at establishing a trading post at Darien (Panama) which ended in a total fiasco, having wasted a huge proportion of Scottish revenue. Those debts were to be written off should the Scottish Parliament sign up to the Union, which it did, thus abolishing itself. The Union was very unpopular, and it took half a century, till well after the Battle of Culloden (1746) where the Jacobites (fighting for the Stuart line in the succession to the British throne) were finally beaten, before the benefits of the Union became manifest as best seen in the project of Edinburgh's New Town a celebration in stone of the Union and the rising British Empire.
John Senex. A new map of ye Isthmus of Darien in America, the Bay of Panama...
A Cradle of Genius
Did the demise of the Scottish Parliament contribute to the flourishing of the Scottish enlightenment? Was it the vacuum left by the political elite's move to London, which left the intelligentsia, and the well-educated Scots, to devote their energies to philosophy and the sciences? Anyway, from the mid-18th century to the early 19th century Scotland not just Edinburgh, but also Glasgow and Aberdeen became a leading centre of the Enlightenment in Europe, with Adam Smith, David Hume and Robert Fergusson among a whole host of highly influential thinkers and founders of academic disciplines.
Burns, Scott & Stevenson
At the same time, two of the greatest writers Scotland has produced, lived and wrote in Edinburgh: the poet Robert Burns (1759-96) and the novelist Walter Scott (1771-1832). While the Enlightenment was primarily a rational, empirical exercise of the mind, aiming at improvement of society and governance, Burns and Scott highlighted the Scottish past, the Scots language, and celebrated the Highlands (now that they were no longer to be feared as 'barbarian' and wild' but rather enjoyed as 'wild-romantic'. Scott was in charge of the celebrated visit of George IV to Edinburgh in 1822 when the whole place was bathed in tartan. Not long after, Queen Victoria discovered her love for Scotland, and led the first wave of Scottish tourism (made so much easier by the invention of rail travel). Towards the end of the century, Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) became the third Scottish writer of world renown.
The Industrial Nation
The Enlightenment and Scottish education had been practical-minded. In the 18th and 19th centuries Scotland became famous for its engineers and inventors who contributed to the success of the Industrial Revolution in Scotland. Trade flourished, Glasgow became the second city of the Empire, and the Clyde one of the world-centres of ship-building. Hundreds of coal mines provided the basis for the Scottish steel industry.
Being part of the Union opened possibilities for Scottish 'Lads o' Pairts' to make a career out of the empire the Scots were at the frontier, not only in military terms (the Highland regiments became known as 'the thin red line' of the Empire) but also as engineers and educators, to a degree that prompted Michael Fry to call his recent imperial history, with only a touch of tongue-in-cheek, 'The Scottish Empire'.
Red Clydeside
Industrial Scotland, the clearance of the Highlands (and Lowlands) at the turn of the 19th century and a shift towards the most rapid urbanisation in the whole of Europe during the nineteenth century, produced an organised working class.
Itled to the formatyion of the Labour party. Its greatest moment came in the anti-war demonstrations and rent strikes during the First World War in Glasgow, led by the Glasgow schoolteacher and Marxist John Maclean, and the return to Westminster of prominent 'Red Clydesiders' in 1918.
The Caledonian Antisyzygy: MacDiarmid & the Scottish Renaissance
Out of the industrial depression after the First World War, and against a provincialism in the arts, and particularly in literature (termed 'Kailyard'), Scottish intellectuals and writers like Hugh MacDiarmid (Christopher Murray Grieve, 1892-1978) rallied and created, in the 1920s and '30s, the Scottish Renaissance. One of the central debates concerned the identity of Scotland, the coexistence of conflicting, oppositional forces, the fragmentation of Highlands and Lowlands, urban an rural, the three languages, Jekyll and Hyde given the label 'Caledonian Antisyzygy' by the literary critic Gregory Smith in 1919. To make Scotland 'whole', to give it a voice and to connect it with the art avantgarde in Europe and beyond those were concerns on the agenda of the Scottish Renaissance, with writers like Edwin Muir, Eric Linklater, Naomi Mitchison, Neil Gunn, William Soutar and Lewis Grassic Gibbon.
Hugh MacDiarmid
'It's Scotland's Oil': Home Rule & The Roots of Scottish Nationalism
Some of these concerns overlapped with the birth of Scottish Nationalism as a political movement after the First World War, which led to the foundation of the Scottish National party (SNP) in 1934, as an amalgam of different parties and movements.
But Scottish Nationalists only played a marginal role until the 1960s, when Scotland and England seemed to drift further apart in prosperity (all the classic Scottish industries textiles, coal and steel, ship-building were in steep decline) and electoral behaviour. A decisive boost for the SNP came with the discovery of oil in the North Sea in the late 1960s. "It's Scotland's Oil' was the SNP slogan now Scotland would have the resources to sustain a small, independent country. In the two general elections of 1974 the SNP gained nearly a third of the vote, and returned 11 MPs (out of the Scottish 72) to Westminster.
1979 Devolution Referendum
The Labour Party - by then the dominant political force in Scotland felt the threat. And rediscovered 'devolution'. But a referendum in 1979, despite resulting in a majority voting in favour of an Assembly in Edinburgh, 'failed' on the technicality of a missed threshold (40% of the whole electorate would have had to vote in favour, which was not the case).
The Road to the Scottish Parliament
This already explains that devolution was not an event in 1997 or 1999. It has been a process with a long pedigree, reaching back to the 19th century, when Ireland campaigned for Home Rule. Support for devolution and nationalism is often related to Scottish civil society, particularly in the immediate pre-history of Scottish home rule: the 'failed' referendum of 1979, the Campaign for a Scottish Assembly, the Scottish Constitutional Convention (1989-95), and the successful second referendum in September 1997.
The Constitutional Convention reported in 1995, Scotlands Parliament, Scotlands Right which was, after the Labour victory in the UK of 1997, to become the blueprint for the Scottish Parliament. Labour produced a White Paper on Devolution in July 1997, and the Referendum in September of that year overwhelmingly endorsed a Scottish Parliament with tax-varying powers.
The Consultative Steering Group based the Scottish Parliament on founding principles even before it was elected in 1999. With its new proportional electoral system, the first elections in May 1999 produced a coalition government between the Labour party and the Liberal Democrats und First Minister Donald Dewar. Tragically, Donald Dewar died in October 2000. He was replaced by Henry MacLeish who in turn fell over undeclared sub-lettings of his Westminster-MP offices. In 2001, Jack McConnell became the third First Minister.
Devolution Referendum 1997
In May 2003, the second Parliament elections produced a very 'colourful' result, with six parties and four independents making up the 129-strong chamber. Features of the new Parliament are its new electoral system and its resulting partnership government (Labour and Liberal Democrats, under First Minister Jack McConnell) and its achievements in gender balance (currently, 39.5% of all MSPs are female). The Parliament is supposed to share its power with the people of Scotland.
By March 2007, the Parliament had passed well over a hundred pieces of legislation among them landmark legislation like Land Reform, free personal care for the elderly, abolition of up-front university tuition fees, the smoking ban, and proportional representation for local government elections. On 3 May 2007, coinciding with the tercentenary of the Union of Parliaments, the third elections for the Scottish Parliament were be held.
For the fist time in nearly fifty years, the Labour Party came second in Scotland. The SNP won by one seat and, as no other party wanted to enter negotiations about a coalition, they formed a minority government with Alex Salmond as First Minister, supported by the two Green MSPs.
Contemporary Scotland
Is devolution the "settled will of the Scottish people" (John Smith, the late Labour leader)? The constitutional debate continues. A huge majority of Scots favours devolution, but up to 70% are also in favour of increased powers for the Scottish Parliament the evolution of devolution… The SNP government published a White Paper (Choosing Scotlands Future) in August, starting a National Conversation about the constitutional options, including the draft bill for an Independence Referendum.
Alex Salmond
The political debate is primarily concerned with public services the crisis in the health service, improvements in education, combating crime and the 'sluggish' performance of the Scottish economy. The manufacturing sector has drastically declined over the past two decades, and is now totally outpaced by the service industry. Edinburgh is only second to London as a location for financial services.
Does Scotland need fiscal autonomy to improve economic performance? Or will, as the SNP argues, only independence 'release the potential' of Scotland? Is it the 'brain drain' to south of the border that leaves Scotland with a lack of entrepreneurial risk-takers?
Has Scotland become a pagan country? What is the role of the Church, of religion, in Scotland in the 21st century? Church attendance, especially for the established Church, has drastically fallen. Yet, sectarianism is still an issue, particularly in the context of football. But is there still discrimination against Catholics in Scotland? Does the influx of Polish immigrants (most of them Catholic) change religious attitudes?
Is Scotland, as the journalist and novelist Andrew O'Hagan has claimed, a 'barren place' for artists and writers? Or is Scottish culture in 'rude health', as other commentators contend? Despite the fact that a whole generation of writers bowed out in the 1990s Norman MacCaig, George Mackay Brown, Ian Chrichton Smith, Sorley MacLean, there is a wave of contemporary Scottish writing, from Irvine Welsh to James Kelman and Alasdair Gray, Janice Galloway, A L Kennedy and Ali Smith. Crime writing in Edinburgh (Ian Rankin, Frederic Lindsay, Quintin Jardine, Alanna Knight, Paul Johnson, Allan Guthrie), Aberdeen (Stuart MacBride) and Glasgow (William McIlvanney, Manda Scott, Denise Mina, Christopher Brookmyre, Louise Welsh, Liz Anderson) is flourishing. The visual arts (John Byrne, John Bellany, Elizabeth Blackadder, Pete Howson) seem highly visible; Scottish film (still lacking a National Studio and Film Institute) has created a few ripples ('Local Hero', 'Gregory's Girl', 'Trainspotting', 'Shallow Grave', Ratcatcher, 'Morven Callar', 'Young Adam', Hallam Foe). Is Scottish theatre keeping pace? There have been recent changes in the artistic directorship of some of the main theatres in Glasgow and Edinburgh, and 2006 saw the hugely successful launch of the National Theatre (which, in 2007, had an international hit with Gregory Burkes Bllack Watch). Playwrights like David Greig, Gregory Burke, Stephen Greenhorn or Liz Lochhead are making names for themselves nationally and internationally. In 2005, Edinburgh was made the first ever UNESCO World City of Literature.
Scottish traditional and folk music is alive and kicking; ( from Dick Gaughan and Karine Polwart to Shooglenifty, The Chair and the Peatbog Fairies)as is Pop & Rock (with bands like Franz Ferdinand, Travis, The View, Mogwai, The Delgados, Paolo Nuttini, Aberfeldy, K T Tunstall and Dogs Die in Hot Cars); and in James Macmillan and Peter Maxwell Davies Scotland has two of the most celebrated composers and conductors in contemporary classical music.
What was previously seen as 'fragmentation', as 'divisions' within Scotland, as a defect, or even a disease, tends these days to be re-interpreted in terms of 'diversity' or the 'post-modern' arguing that Scotland has been multi-ethnic and multi-cultural long before these concepts became flavour of the day. As the rest of the world catches up, perhaps even including England, Scotland feels increasingly at home and in good company…
Scotland and the Future of Europe
As a country dependent on tourism, the 9/11 aftermath and the Iraq war, as well as domestic crises like BSE and foot & mouth disease, have left a considerable dent in this important part of the Scottish economy. But there is also EU enlargement which has added ten countries to the Union, which all have lower wage levels than Scotland. Since 2004, perhaps up to 100 000 Poles have come to work in Scotland.
Scottish politics is framed by the UK's peculiar unwritten constitution and the ambiguous nature of the historical union between Scotland and England. But just how distinctive is Scottish politics? How does Scotland's position within an emergent pattern of territorial politics in the UK (including devolved institutions in Wales, Northern Ireland and London) compare with that of other sub-state nations? Spain and Canada provide comparative leverage here. How does Scotland relate to the enlarging and reforming European Union and to the world at large? In recent years, the Scottish Executive has signed partnership agreements with Catalonia, Tuscany, North-Rhine Westphalia and Bavaria. It is also actively involved, as one of the legislative regions of Europe, in campaigning for access to the decision-making processes in the European Union. Might the question whether being an autonomous part of a strong EU member state with direct input to European policy making outweighs being a small, 'independent' member state of the EU eventually tip the scales either in favour of the 'evolution of devolution' or 'independence in Europe'?
2007 Year of Change
The past decade has seen fundamental change in the United Kingdom. Anyone who would have predicted in 1997 that, ten years on, the Labour Party would be in its third term at Westminster, that Devolution had led to a Labour-Plaid Cymru coalition in Wales, a Nationalist minority government in Scotland and a power-sharing government in Northern Ireland, led by the Democtatic Unionists and Sinn FÉin, would have been called an illusionist, a dreamer (or worse).
And then 2007 a year of massive change, perhaps a historical watershed? A new Reform Treaty for the EU (still dependent on the Irish vote a second referendum now scheduled for 29 October 2009), change in the UK the long good-bye of Tony Blair and, at long last, the hand-over to Gordon Brown, his subsequent summer honeymoon, then the election that never was, signalling the plunge of Browns government into a troublesome autumn and the end of the line for Lib Dem leader Menzies Campbell. In Wales, a totally unexpected coalition between Labours Rhodri Morgan and Ieuan Wyn Jones of Plaid Cymru; in Northern Ireland, the astonishing spectacle of Gerry Adams and Ian Paisley sharing a press conference, followed by the astoundingly good-natured partnership in government of the erstwhile Dr No of Northern Irish politics with ex-IRA commander and Sinn FÉin negotiator Martin McGuinness soon referred to as the Chuckle Brothers.
For Scotland, in the year marking both the tercentenary of the Anglo-Scottish Union and the tenth anniversary of the successful Devolution Referendum, the May elections turned out a momentous event, breaking the nearly five decades of hegemony of Scottish Labour at the national and, even more emphatically, at the local government level and ushering in an SNP minority government at Holyrood. Was this the death knell for devolution allegedly, in John Smiths words, the settled will of the Scottish people? Proof that devolution did not, as George Robertson had claimed, kill Nationalism stone dead, but rather a stepping stone, or a staging post? If the latter, where to? Just underlining that devolution, pace Ron Davies, was a process rather than an event, part of what Henry McLeish calls the evolution of devolution? Or towards regaining Scottish independence as a sovereign nation-state, as the SNP would have it?
Was the SNP victory a victory for independence, or rather the coming of age of devolution? Have devolution had its day, or have the voters cast Alex Salmond and the SNP as the better devolutionists? How will Labour, with their new leader Wendy Alexander, react to the defeat? What effect does the new Scottish dispensation have on internal UK relations, between the devolved territories and between the Scottish and the UK governments? Is the notorious West Lothian Question provoking an English Nationalist reaction, at a time when the Scots provide not only the UK Prime Minister, but also a number of important ministers in Browns cabinet?
After 300 years, the Union seems to have moved from a constitutional fixture to a constitutional option, (Allan Macinnes) but has it reached its sell-by date, as Tom Nairn, Chris Harvie et al. have been arguing, or can it be renewed, as Gordon Brown, Henry McLeish and David Steel would maintain? More than eight years into Devolution, the question whether the present constitutional arrangement is the settled will of the Scottish people or an unsustainable and therefore transitory half-way house has to be reshaped. With not one, but two rival constitutional discourses on the go (the National Conversation of the SNP government, and the Constitutional Commission of the Parliament), the status quo (Devolution 99) is being consigned to history. But whether Devolution plus (aka Devolution Max or Devolution Mark II) or Independence will be the outcome of the process is a question still in the balance.
Minority Government
The SNP minority government under First Minister Alex Sa;lmond had an extended honeymoon lasting way into 2008. It benefited alsi from disarray in the main opposition party Labours new leader Wendy Alexander never got to grips with the job of opposition leader and was replaced by Iain Gray in September 2008. The Liberal Democrats and the Greens also changed their leaders, from Nicol Stephen to Tavish Scott and from Robin Harper to Patrick Harvie, respectively.
The culminating triumph of the SNPs honeymoon was the stunning Westminster by-election victory in Glasgow East in July 2008. It looked as if Gordon Brown was a spent force, and Labour at Holyrood incapable of mounting a credible challenge to Alex Salmond. But then the banking crisis started, marking out an autumn where the banks were falling faster than the leaves. The UK and Scotland plunged into recession. Not only did that seem to give Brown a second wind, Labour at Holyrood under Iain Gray also seemed on the verge of consolidating and making a fesh start. Everybody had expected the Glenrothes by-election in November to be another prize in the all-conquering campaign of the SNP, but Labour held on to the Westminster seat with a reduced, but comfortable majority.
After a period of consensual give-aways (tuition fees, bridge tolls, prescription charges), the nitty-gritty of minority government seemed to catch up with the SNP with problems in replacing the unpopular council tax through a form of local income tax, and in establishing the Scottish Futures Trust as a new method of financing public infrastructure and building projects.
Spring 2009 will see the triple anniversaries of 10 years of the first elections to the new Scottish Parliament, 20 years of the first meeting of the Scottish Constitutional Convention, and 30 years sice the failed referendum of 1979 which heralded in the Thatcher years. Both the SNP Governments National Conversation and the Parliiaments Calman Commission are expected to publish their findings in 2009. The SNP still plans to hold a referendum on Scotlands independence in 2010. There is growing speculation about a UK general election in 2009. The only certainty is that the Scottish electorate will be called out in June for the European Elections.
2009 marks the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns' birth and is the inspiration behind the year of Homecoming, with a string of events from Burnss birthday in January to St Andrews Day in November (www.homecomingscotland2009.com). Its mainly greared towards generating tourism and making money whether culture can prevail in the face of commerce remains to be seen.
Contacts
Business Manager:
Lindsay Adams David McCrone
Ph. 0131 650 2456 Chisholm House (Room F1)
Email: ladams@ed.ac.uk Ph: 0131 650 2459
Email: d.mccrone@ed.ac.uk
Secretary: Margaret MacPherson
ph 0131 650 8093
Email: m.macpherson@ed.ac.uk
Paddy Bort
Academic Co-ordinator / Director of Studies (Internship Programme)
Chisholm House (Room F3)
Ph. 0131 650 2458
Email: ebort@ed.ac.uk
Alan Trench
Room B.5, 21 George Square
Tel: (0131) 651 3895
Email: alan.trench@ed.ac.uk
Alex Baker
Visiting Students/Administration
Ph. 0131 651 1144
Email: abaker2@miscorp.ed.ac.uk
Emre Tarim
E-mail: emreve@hotmail.co.uk
Carrie Purcell
E-mail: c.a.purcell@sms.ed.ac.uk
AULD LANG SYNE
Words adapated from a traditional song
by Robert Burns (1759-96)
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?
CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!
And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp,
And surely I'll be mine,
And we'll tak a cup o kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!
We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou'd the gowans fine,
But we've wander'd monie a weary fit,
Sin auld lang syne.
We twa hae paidl'd in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.
And there's a hand my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o thine,
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne
Glossary
auld lang syne - times gone by
be - pay for
braes - hills
braid - broad
burn - stream
dine - dinner time
fiere - friend
fit - foot
gowans - daisies
guid-willie waught - goodwill drink
monie - many
morning sun - noon
paidl't - paddled
pint-stowp - pint tankard
pou'd - pulled
twa two
This page was published on 4 October 2011
