Postgraduate Course: Scottish Constitutional History (LAWS11295)

Course Outline
School	School of Law	College	College of Humanities and Social Science
Credit level (Normal year taken)	SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate)	Availability	Not available to visiting students
SCQF Credits	20	ECTS Credits	10
Summary	General Aims: to equip students to appreciate and engage critically with the range of medieval constitutional ideas modified in Scotland during and after the Reformation, and subsequently captured by the consitutional settlements of the Glorious Revolution and the creation of Great Britian. This will enable students to appreciate the current debate about the future of Great Britain and Scotland from an historical perspective, and to appreciate the range of seemingly arcane but nevertheless important constituional ideas and principles which will have to be engaged with should the Union be dismantled.
Course description	General Aims: to equip students to appreciate and engage critically with the range of medieval constitutional ideas modified in Scotland during and after the Reformation, and subsequently captured by the consitutional settlements of the Glorious Revolution and the creation of Great Britian. This will enable students to appreciate the current debate about the future of Great Britain and Scotland from an historical perspective, and to appreciate the range of seemingly arcane but nevertheless important constituional ideas and principles which will have to be engaged with should the Union be dismantled. Sources of authority within the Scottish polity, with attendant jurisdictions. Appreciation of different types of kingship, i.e. sacral, absolutist, constitutional; and of different types of ecclesiastical authority. The embedding and preservation of the early modern Scottish polity within the proto-British and British state. Potential implications of independence for royal authority in Scotland, the rights and privileges of the Church of Scotland, the alluring simplicity of a republic etc. etc. 1. Scottish understandings of Scottish Kingship 2. The authority of the medieval Church in Scotland 3. The shape of the medieval Scottish legal system 4. The impact of the Scottish Reformation 5. Ecclesiastical authority in post-Reformation Scotland 6. The Union of the Crowns: English conceptions of Kingship in Scotland 7. Scottish Kingship: Civil Wars and Catholic Ascendancy 8. The Glorious Revolution: Kingship and Kirk 9. The Treaty of Union, the British State and ecclesiological pluralism 10. Scottish Independence and Constitutional History

Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites		Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations		Other requirements	None
Additional Costs	none

Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to: Demonstrate and/or work with: Knowledge that covers and integrates most, if not all, of the main areas of a subject discipline ż including their features, boundaries, terminology and conventions. A critical understanding of the principal theories, principles and concepts. A critical understanding of a range of specialised theories, principles and concepts. Extensive, detailed and critical knowledge and understanding in one or more specialisms, much of which is at, or informed by, developments at the forefront.A critical awareness of current issues in a subject/discipline and one or more specialisms. Use a significant range of the principal skills, techniques, practices and/or materials which are associated with a subject/discipline. Use a range of specialised skills, techniques, practices and/or materials which are at the forefront of, or informed by, forefront developments. Apply a range of standard and specialised research or equivalent instruments and techniques of enquiry. Plan and execute a significant project of research, investigation or development. Demonstrate originality or creativity in the application of knowledge, understanding and/ or practices. Practise in a wide and often unpredictable variety of professional level contexts. Apply critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis to issues which are at the forefront of, or informed by, developments at the forefront of a subject/discipline. Identify, conceptualise and define new and abstract problems and issues. Develop original and creative responses to problems and issues. Critically review, consolidate and extend knowledge, skills practices and thinking in a subject/discipline. Deal with complex issues and make informed judgements in situations in the absence of complete or consistent data/information. Use a range of advanced and specialised skills as appropriate to a subject/discipline,for example: Communicate, using appropriate methods, to a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge/expertise. Communicate with peers, more senior colleagues and specialists. Use a wide range of software to support and enhance work at this level and specify new software or refinements/improvements to existing software to increase effectiveness. Undertake critical evaluations of a wide range of numerical and graphical data. Exercise substantial autonomy and initiative in professional and equivalent activities. Take responsibility for own work and/or significant responsibility for the work of others. Take responsibility for a significant range of resources. Demonstrate leadership and/or initiative and make an identifiable contribution to change and development. Practise in ways which draw on critical reflection on own and othersż roles and responsibilities. Deal with complex ethical and professional issues and make informed judgements on issues not addressed by current professional and/or ethical codes or practices.