It considers how, and why, laws are made by both the Scottish and UK Parliaments before exploring devolved matters, reserved matters, legislative competence, secondary legislation, and the work of MSPs and MPs. It discusses the characteristics of the constitution, the importance of the concept of the rule of law, how an Act of Parliament is structured and considers how and why members of the public are encouraged to become involved with the work of the Scottish Parliament.

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Course learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• Understand the role of the Scottish Parliament in law making
• Understand the relationship between the Scottish and UK Parliaments
• Understand the role played by law and how you can influence the law making process.