Politics BA (Hons)

In your second year, you will examine a range of topics that should deepen and broaden your understanding of political systems, political ideas, international relations and key world events.

In addition to the compulsory modules, you will have the opportunity to choose from one of three optional modules. 

Modules

• The Contemporary Far Right in Western Europe (20 credits)

  This module focuses on the rise of Far-Right political parties in West European countries. It aims to give students an understanding of the characteristics and values of these parties that place them under the umbrella term of the ‘Far Right’. 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

  Assessment: coursework

• Comparative Politics and Governance (20 credits)

  This module focuses on politics and the State in different countries and continents. It aims to give you an understanding of different concepts of the State and introduce you to a number of key political issues in developed and developing countries today. The first sessions introduce the concepts underlying the module. Further sessions cover how the concepts may be applied to five case study countries (such as France, Spain, Kenya, USA, Egypt and Zimbabwe).

  Compulsory

  Assessment: coursework, exam

• History of Modern Political Thought (20 credits)

  The module will examine the ideas and theories of major political thinkers in a chronological sequence - from the Renaissance to the end of the nineteenth century - and with attention to their historical - both intellectual and political - contexts. At the same time, modern political thought will be presented throughout as involving the critical study of political values and of the key concepts used in political argument and debate.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: coursework, exam

• Contemporary British Government (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. Key institutions (such as the Constitution, Parliament, the Cabinet, the judiciary, and the Devolved Administrations) will be examined to show their role in the British political system.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: coursework, exam

• A Graduate Career (10 credits)

  This module aims to introduce you to the concept of a graduate career. It provides you with a knowledge and understanding of the graduate employment process and helps you to organise placements and work experience to enhance your employability. It aims to develop your professional competencies, helping you move from undergraduate study to the graduate labour market. To achieve this, you will engage in a series of workshops and a process of self-reflection, developing market intelligence to produce an individual and tailored action plan, and a professional CV.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: coursework

• Add+vantage (10 credits)

  You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: coursework, exam

• Contemporary Global Security (20 credits)

  This module aims to familiarise students with a number of key theories and methodologies relating to the study of contemporary global security and to relate these to a broad range of specific issues on the contemporary security agenda.

  Optional

  Assessment: coursework, exam

• The Making of the United States (20 credits)

  The aim of this module is to provide an outline history of the United States from Contact to the end of the twentieth century. The themes of this module are: political change and institutions; key leaders; war and diplomacy; economic and social development. Although the module’s focus is the history of the United States, it will also consider the histories of Canada and Mexico.

  Optional

• Sex, Sexuality, Power and Oppression (20 credits)

  This module explores the relationship between sex and sexuality, and legal, political and moral definitions of crime and deviance. It examines the issues of sexual violence from the perspective of both victim and perpetrator, sexuality and social control (e.g. prostitution, pornography and same sex relationships). The module draws on a range of theoretical and historical perspectives. The relationship between the public and the private is a central focus throughout.

  Optional

  Assessment: coursework

After your second year, you have an opportunity to take a sandwich year, studying abroad or on professional placement*.

Modules

• Study Abroad

  Optional

• Professional Placement

  Optional

In your final year you will consolidate your knowledge by studying US politics, European politics, Middle East politics, political ideologies and write a dissertation on a topic of your own choice.

In addition to the compulsory modules, you will have the opportunity to choose from two of six optional modules. 

Modules

• Nationalism and Democratisation in Post-Communist Europe (20 credits)

  You are introduced to key debates in theories of nationalism and democratisation as well as particular events. You will look at case study countries where this clash of norms has been playing out since the collapse of Communism, with particular reference to the on-going process of European integration.

  Compulsory

• Political Ideologies in the Twentieth Century (20 credits)

  This module examines the major political ideologies of the twentieth century in Britain, Europe, North America and the Third World. It aims to illustrate the political effect of these ideological currents on political parties, movements and the policies and legislation of particular governments.

  Compulsory

• Dissertation in History, International Relations and Politics (30 credits)

  This module is designed to enable you to develop, enhance and put into practice the research skills you acquired in your previous years of study. It encourages you to use the research skills involved in gathering and interpreting knowledge and analyse a subject of your own choosing in depth, within the context of their programme of study. You should also develop your time-management and independent learning skills.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: coursework

• Add+vantage (10 credits)

  You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: coursework, exam

• Politics of the Contemporary Middle East (20 credits)

  This module aims to introduce you to the contemporary history, politics and international relations of the Middle East since 1948. It examines the process of European decolonisation since the 1940s, the rise of Zionism and national independence movements, including Zionism, Nasserism and Ba’athism and focuses on the emergence of the Palestinian question from 1948 to the present.

  Optional

  Assessment: coursework, exam

• United States Foreign Policy (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

  Assessment: coursework

• The Far Right in Britain and France (20 credits)

  The aim of this module is to provide you with the opportunity to examine the different natures of the far right in Britain and France. In France this will include the ideological legacy of the 1789 revolution to the contemporary status of the French Front National. In the United Kingdom, we will examine the BUF, National Front, British National Party and new organisations on the far right.

  Optional

  Assessment: coursework

• US Government and Politics (20 credits)

  This module seeks to highlight the system of government in the United States. It places special emphasis on assessing the political institutions that have evolved from the US constitution, and analysing whether these institutions are appropriate for American society in the twenty-first century.

  Optional

  Assessment: coursework, presentation

• Chinese Politics, Foreign Relations and Security (20 credits)

  Is the global economic and political system is in the process of a fundamental ‘power shift’ from West to East? China is frequently referred to as the coming Superpower of the 21st Century. 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.

  Optional

  Assessment: coursework, exam

• Study Trip (20 credits)

  This module aims to give you the opportunity to address and explore issues and themes in history, international relations, sociology, politics and linked disciplines, in a non-UK setting. A number of issues, depending on the specific degree studied, will be analysed in the study location. For example, on a study trip to Sicily, issues in history would include the origins and development of Italian organised criminal organisations, themes in politics would include the relationship between politics and the mafia, topics in sociology would include the study of women and various mafia groupings and transnational organised crime.

  Optional

  Assessment: coursework, presentation