On 11 December 2009, Nottingham University's Centre for British Politics held a conference at the British Academy that drew together politicians, writers and academics to explore the interaction of British politics and fiction.

In addition to the conference several video interviews were conducted with some of the speakers on the day.

In this interview taken at the Fiction and British Politics Conference in London, writer Laurence Marks discusses his political screenwriting with Maurice Gran, and in particular, The New Statesman character Alan B'Stard and reveals how far from the truth this notorious screen character is compared to those in power.

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

Laurence Marks, Script Writer.

Laurence Marks is one half of writing duo Marks & Gran with whom he co-wrote the popular sitcoms, The New Statesman, Birds of a Feather and Goodnight Sweetheart. He also wrote Shine on Harvey moon and Mosley.

The Centre for British Politics is based in the University's School of Politics and International Relations. www.nottingham.ac.uk/politics/cbp

On 11 December 2009, Nottingham University's Centre for British Politics held a conference at the British Academy that drew together politicians, writers and academics to explore the interaction of British politics and fiction.

In addition to the conference several video interviews were conducted with some of the speakers on the day.

In this interview taken at the Fiction and British Politics Conference in London, writer Laurence Marks discusses his political screenwriting with Maurice Gran, and in particular, The New Statesman character Alan B'Stard and reveals how far from the truth this notorious screen character is compared to those in power.

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

Laurence Marks, Script Writer.

Laurence Marks is one half of writing duo Marks & Gran with whom he co-wrote the popular sitcoms, The New Statesman, Birds of a Feather and Goodnight Sweetheart. He also wrote Shine on Harvey moon and Mosley.

The Centre for British Politics is based in the University's School of Politics and International Relations. www.nottingham.ac.uk/politics/cbp

On 11 December 2009, Nottingham University's Centre for British Politics held a conference at the British Academy that drew together politicians, writers and academics to explore the interaction of British politics and fiction.

In addition to the conference several video interviews were conducted with some of the speakers on the day.

In this interview taken at the Fiction and British Politics Conference in London, Research Fellow - Matthew Bailey - answers a question posed by Hazel Blears. Could a West Wing-styled drama improve the standing of British politicians?

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

Dr Matthew Bailey, Research Fellow, The Centre for British Politics, The University of Nottingham

Dr Matthew Bailey has published work on a variety of topics regarding British politics, in particular the Conservative Party and Margaret Thatcher’s election as party leader. Between 2005 and 2008 Matthew has also been working on the frontline of British politics – managing the constituency office of one of Hull’s MPs. With that experience behind him he has become poacher turned gamekeeper, assessing the representation of our political masters across a variety of fictional forms.

Recent papers on this subject include: ‘Sympathy for the Devil: must fictional portraits of politicians be so negative?’ (delivered at the 2007 Political Studies Association Conference) and ‘Stranded on the middle ground: reflections on consensus in post-war political film and fiction’ (presented to the 2009 PSA Conference).

The Centre for British Politics is based in the University's School of Politics and International Relations. www.nottingham.ac.uk/politics/cbp

On 11 December 2009, Nottingham University's Centre for British Politics held a conference at the British Academy that drew together politicians, writers and academics to explore the interaction of British politics and fiction.

In addition to the conference several video interviews were conducted with some of the speakers on the day.

In this interview taken at the Fiction and British Politics Conference in London, academic and director of the Centre for British Politics, Professor Steven Fielding, talks about the fascination with politics by writers and filmmakers.

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

Professor Steven Fielding, School of Politics and International Relations

Professor Steven Fielding is Professor of Political History and Director of the Centre for British Politics: CBP at The University of Nottingham and is an expert on The Labour Party. He is currently working on a commissioned documentary for BBC Radio 4 on the media portrayal of the Labour Party under Tony Blair.

Professor Fielding is particularly focused on the fraught relationship between politicians and the society they represent in Parliament. He is also researching the fictional representation of politics in Britain and the US, focusing in part on novels, film and television from Anthony Trollope to ’The West Wing’ and ’The Thick Of It’.

The Centre for British Politics is based in the University's School of Politics and International Relations. www.nottingham.ac.uk/politics/cbp

On 11 December 2009, Nottingham University's Centre for British Politics held a conference at the British Academy that drew together politicians, writers and academics to explore the interaction of British politics and fiction.

In addition to the conference several video interviews were conducted with some of the speakers on the day.

In this interview taken at the Fiction and British Politics Conference in London, academic and director of the Centre for British Politics, Professor Steven Fielding, talks about the fascination with politics by writers and filmmakers.

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

Professor Steven Fielding, School of Politics and International Relations

Professor Steven Fielding is Professor of Political History and Director of the Centre for British Politics: CBP at The University of Nottingham and is an expert on The Labour Party. He is currently working on a commissioned documentary for BBC Radio 4 on the media portrayal of the Labour Party under Tony Blair.

Professor Fielding is particularly focused on the fraught relationship between politicians and the society they represent in Parliament. He is also researching the fictional representation of politics in Britain and the US, focusing in part on novels, film and television from Anthony Trollope to ’The West Wing’ and ’The Thick Of It’.

The Centre for British Politics is based in the University's School of Politics and International Relations. www.nottingham.ac.uk/politics/cbp

On 11 December 2009, Nottingham University's Centre for British Politics held a conference at the British Academy that drew together politicians, writers and academics to explore the interaction of British politics and fiction.

In addition to the conference several video interviews were conducted with some of the speakers on the day.

In this interview taken at the Fiction and British Politics Conference in London, screenwriter Tony Saint talks about an upcoming BBC drama based on the MPs expenses scandal.

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

Tony Saint, Screenwriter

Tony Saint is a screen-writer and novelist. Tony's television film Thatcher: The Long Walk to Finchley was broadcast in June 2008 to great critical acclaim. It has been noinated for Best Single Drama at the Broadcast and Royal Television Society Awards.

His three novels, Refusal Shoes, Blag and The ASBO Show have been published by Serpent's Tail to great acclaim.

The Centre for British Politics is based in the University's School of Politics and International Relations. www.nottingham.ac.uk/politics/cbp

On 11 December 2009, Nottingham University's Centre for British Politics held a conference at the British Academy that drew together politicians, writers and academics to explore the interaction of British politics and fiction.

In addition to the conference several video interviews were conducted with some of the speakers on the day.

In this interview taken at the Fiction and British Politics Conference in London, screenwriter Tony Saint talks about an upcoming BBC drama based on the MPs expenses scandal.

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

Tony Saint, Screenwriter

Tony Saint is a screen-writer and novelist. Tony's television film Thatcher: The Long Walk to Finchley was broadcast in June 2008 to great critical acclaim. It has been nominated for Best Single Drama at the Broadcast and Royal Television Society Awards.

His three novels, Refusal Shoes, Blag and The ASBO Show have been published by Serpent's Tail to great acclaim.

The Centre for British Politics is based in the University's School of Politics and International Relations. www.nottingham.ac.uk/politics/cbp

In this podcast, Professor Philip Cowley, from the School of Politics and International Relations, discusses the announcement of former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s decision to stand down as leader of the Labour Party and British Prime Minister on 27th June 2007. Professor Cowley discusses the reasons behind Tony Blair’s announcement and the pressure he has faced from within his own party.

Professor Cowley goes on to discuss why Gordon Brown succeeded Tony Blair uncontested and the potential problems this could present for the new Prime Minister. Finally, Professor Cowley discusses the contest for the deputy leadership, why the candidates are standing and the challenges they will face in winning.

The aim of this module is to provide students with an overview of current work and debates on the subject of Sustainability. Sustainability is a complex term that can mean different things to different people depending upon their cultural and subject backgrounds, and the context within which they live and work.

Dr Sarah Speigh, University of Nottingham

Aimed at statistics beginners, this learning object describes, and gives examples of, the four levels of measurement of data: nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio.

In this podcast, Professor Richard Aldrich from the School of Politics and International Relations, discusses the impact of globalisation, the opportunities this affords to global terrorists and the challenges faced by the intelligence services.

Globalisation has led to a free flow of money, people and ideas, which has benefited many people in the West in recent years and enhanced our standard of living, but the price paid is a reduction in security. As we see a shift towards a de-regulated global economy, with states removing controls over their borders, how does a state maintain its security? This has led to an increase in intelligence led activities and increasing expectations upon them.

In addition, Professor Aldrich discusses how mass communication has magnified the influence of terrorists and increased the problems faced by the security services. Finally, Professor Aldrich also discusses the challenges faced by the state in balancing our security, liberty and luxury. Are our civil liberties at risk?

In this podcast, Professor Richard Aldrich from the School of Politics and International Relations, discusses the impact of globalisation, the opportunities this affords to global terrorists and the challenges faced by the intelligence services.

Globalisation has led to a free flow of money, people and ideas, which has benefited many people in the West in recent years and enhanced our standard of living, but the price paid is a reduction in security. As we see a shift towards a de-regulated global economy, with states removing controls over their borders, how does a state maintain its security? This has led to an increase in intelligence led activities and increasing expectations upon them.

In addition, Professor Aldrich discusses how mass communication has magnified the influence of terrorists and increased the problems faced by the security services. Finally, Professor Aldrich also discusses the challenges faced by the state in balancing our security, liberty and luxury. Are our civil liberties at risk?

How badly has the recession affected the relationship between political parties and business?

Expert in the field - Professor Mick Moran - assesses the cracks in the relationship and how the crisis will affect it in the future.

Professor Moran was at the University to open the inaugural seminar series for the Centre for British Politics.

As taught Semesters 1 and 2, 2011

This learning object describes the structure and function of lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels. It is used as part of the level 1 Biological Sciences module delivered by the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Physiotherapy.

Dr Andy Meal, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Physiotherapy

In this presentation from the Institute of Film and Television Studies' Ephemeral Media Conference, Hugh Hancock from The Strange Company gives industry insights into the world of Machinima and its role in the world of media ephemerality, and shows examples of his work.

Presentation produced/delivered: June/July 2009

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

Author and Presenter: Hugh Hancock, Artistic Director, Strange Company

Hugh Hancock co-founded the Strange Company in 1997 which is the world's oldest pro 'Machinima' production company, making films in 3D virtual worlds to tell stories that couldn't be told any other way.

Hugh Hancock and Gordon McDonald have produced award-winning independent films (including the feature-length 'BloodSpell') as well as commercial films for the BBC, Electronic Arts and many others.

In this presentation from the Institute of Film and Television Studies' Ephemeral Media Conference, Hugh Hancock from The Strange Company gives industry insights into the world of Machinima and its role in the world of media ephemerality, and shows examples of his work.

Presentation produced/delivered: June/July 2009

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

Author and Presenter: Hugh Hancock, Artistic Director, Strange Company

Hugh Hancock co-founded the Strange Company in 1997 which is the world's oldest pro 'Machinima' production company, making films in 3D virtual worlds to tell stories that couldn't be told any other way.

Hugh Hancock and Gordon McDonald have produced award-winning independent films (including the feature-length 'BloodSpell') as well as commercial films for the BBC, Electronic Arts and many others.

This module is aimed at beginners in Mandarin Chinese in semester B (after 11 weeks of study) and allows the student to practice listening and reading skills, as well as practice in grammar. The transcript reader of the listening exercises allows students to identify words/passages they find difficult to understand.

This is a module framework. It can be viewed online or downloaded as a zip file.

It is as taught in 2009-2010.

This module introduces mathematical analysis building upon the experience of limits of sequences and properties of real numbers and on calculus. It includes limits and continuity of functions between Euclidean spaces, differentiation and integration.

A variety of very important new concepts are introduced by investigating the properties of numerous examples, and developing the associated theory, with a strong emphasis on rigorous proof.

This module is suitable for study at undergraduate level 2.

Dr Joel Feinstein, School of Mathematical Sciences

Dr Joel Feinstein is an Associate Professor in Pure Mathematics at the University of Nottingham. After reading mathematics at Cambridge, he carried out research for his doctorate at Leeds. He held a postdoctoral position in Leeds for one year, and then spent two years as a lecturer at Maynooth (Ireland) before taking up a permanent position at Nottingham. His main research interest is in functional analysis, especially commutative Banach algebras.

Dr Feinstein has published two case studies on his use of IT in the teaching of mathematics to undergraduates. In 2009, Dr Feinstein was awarded a University of Nottingham Lord Dearing teaching award for his popular and successful innovations in this area.

This package, written in 1998, includes interactive questions and demonstrations on the dynamics of chemical reactions. The aim is to show the effect of the potential energy surface, on reaction rates.

It is intended for third or fourth year undergraduates in Chemistry.

To download, click on View Download and follow the instructions. To uninstall, use the standard Windows option of “Add or Remove Programs”.

This is a module framework. It can be viewed online or downloaded as a zip file.

As taught in Spring Semester 2010.

We are surrounded by materials from and references to ancient mythology: we talk about the Oedipus-complex, name spaceships Apollo and powerful detergents Ajax, have songs about Cupid drawing back his bow and associate Oedipus with Freud rather than Sophocles, Ulysses with James Joyce rather than Homer. Literature, in particular, uses ancient mythology as a rich source to describe powerful emotions, cunning politics or psychological drama.

This module will explore how selected German literary texts use motifs from Ancient mythology and how the individual authors combine the ‘old’ stories with their ‘new’ content and message. We will focus on Medea, the powerful and horrific wife of Jason who kills the sons she loves to hurt Jason whom she hates and scare Greek society that alienated her. Using Euripides ancient version as a starting point (in translation, of course,) we will look closely at how the myth is used, changed and reinvented in German texts written between 1926 and 1998.

Theoretical writings on mythology and its reception will provide us with relevant background knowledge and we will add an interdisciplinary angle to the topic by looking at the reception of the Medea myth in paintings, film, theatre and music.

Suitable for study at undergraduate level 4.

Dr Heike Bartel, School of Modern Languages and Culture.

Dr Bartel's current research focus is mythology and myth reception from 18th to 20th century with particular focus on the myth of Medea. Recent activities and publications in this field include: Co-editor (with Dr. A. Simon, University of Bristol) of book 'Unbinding Medea: Interdisciplinary Approaches to a Classical Myth from Antiquity to the 21st Century' (Oxford: Legenda, 2010).