Politics and International Relations BA (Hons)

In year two, you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with: global security, foreign policy, and modern British politics, amongst others.

Modules

• Contemporary Global Security - 20 credits

  This module will introduce you to the study of security in International Relations. It will examine conflicts and contemporary security threats like terrorism, crimes against humanity, genocide, and war as well as other threats to security, involving questions of global health and climate change. It will discuss potential pathways to settle these conflicts peacefully and find solutions to these global threats.

  Compulsory

• Foreign Policy Analysis - 20 credits

  The module focuses on foreign policy analysis through theories and practice. The module assesses the ways in which national political systems experience and cope with challenges arising from their involvement in international affairs. Insights will be applied to foreign policy in general and to particular foreign policies in depth including the United States; China; Russia; the European Union; and Britain.

  Compulsory

• Ethics and International Relations - 20 credits

  In this module, you develop a vital understanding of key ethical problems in contemporary international politics as well as the most recent and traditional moral frameworks for thinking about how to approach and evaluate potential ways to resolve these issues.

  Compulsory

• The Far Right in Contemporary Europe - 20 credits

  This module focuses on the rise of Far Right political parties in West European countries. The focus will be on the different explanations put forwards for their success or failure to acquire electoral support, their influence on the behaviour of mainstream political parties and politics in general in the case study countries.

  Compulsory

• Global Experiences of Liberal Democracy - 20 credits

  This module focuses on politics and the state in different countries and continents. It aims to give you an understanding of liberal democracy in theory and practice, methods of gauging the quality of democracy and transitions towards and away from this particular regime type.

  Compulsory

• British Politics since 1997 - 20 credits

  This module aims to introduce and analyse the system of government in Britain, with special emphasis on assessing whether these institutions are appropriate for British society in the twenty-first century. Also, the module will look at recent debates, issues and topics arising within contemporary British political life.

  Compulsory

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement² can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee³ of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

• UK Work Placement – 0 credits

  This module ² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

  Optional

• International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits

  This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

  Optional

Year three aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from Year one and two. You could also work on a large final project in an area of your interest, with the support of a mentor and your Academic Personal Tutor. You will be asked to choose optional modules to total 120 credits in your final year

Modules

• Independent Project - 20 credits

  This module is designed to enable you to develop, enhance and put into practice the research and analytical skills acquired in your previous years of study in order to pursue an in-depth analysis of a subject of your own choosing within the context of your programme of study. This can take the form of an extended piece of writing, or a media project such as a documentary film.

  Optional

• United States' Foreign Policy since 1945 - 20 credits

  The aim of the module is to examine in detail a number of major themes and developments in post-1945 US foreign policy. These are examined both for their intrinsic importance and interest, and for the light they throw on the foreign policy making process in the US system and on the development of the international system.

  Optional

• Chinese Politics, Foreign Relations and Security - 20 credits

  This module sets out to explore China’s domestic political institutions and political culture; deconstruct the country’s regional and global foreign relations; and define the military and non-military security challenges for the regional and global systems. It explores the challenges at home and overseas facing the leadership in Beijing and the way that China engages with the international community including the U.S., Japan, Southeast Asia and, perhaps most controversially, Africa.

  Optional

• International Relations of South Asia - 20 credits

  This module introduces you to the region of South Asia and, in particular, to the dynamics of conflict, violence and cooperation in the region and their wider implications for global politics. South Asia consists of eight countries, namely India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan.

  Optional

• The Far Right in Britain and France - 20 credits

  This module examines the different natures of the far right in Britain and France. The primary focus for both countries will be, the inter-war period, the different experiences and consequences of World War Two, the 1950s, 1970s up to the current time.

  Optional

• The Green Movement: The Search for Sustainability - 20 credits

  This module considers the emergence of the modern environmental movement from the 1960s to the most recent climate change activism of Greta Thunberg and Extinction Rebellion as well as identifying the emergence and impact of climate change denial. It will demonstrate possible sustainable futures with an appraisal of alternative ways of living in search of sustainable futures.

  Optional

• Political Ideologies since 1945 - 20 credits

  This module examines the major political ideologies of the twentieth century in Britain, Europe, North America and the Third World. It provides an in-depth understanding of the main intellectual and political debates within ten influential ideological currents, namely, conservatism, Christian Democracy, far right populism/neo-fascism, liberalism, socialism, the New Left, feminism, ecologism, political Islam and anti-colonialism.

  Optional

• Politics of the Middle East - 20 credits

  This module aims to introduce you to the contemporary history, politics and international relations of the Middle East since 1948. Topics include the process of European decolonisation since the 1940s, the rise of Zionism and national independence movements, the emergence of the Palestinian question, the revival of political Islam, the Western Wars against Iraq in 1991 and 2003, and the Arab Spring Revolutions of 2010-11.

  Optional