Politics BA (Hons)

Modules

Methods of assessment for course overall: 71% coursework

• Introduction to political theory
  You'll be introduced to key ideas and concepts in political theory. These include democracy, freedom, justice and power. These ideas and concepts are explored in the social and historical contexts in which they developed. You'll also be encouraged to explore the way that these ideas and concept have been transformed historically and the manner in which they are mobilised in contemporary political debates
• Social and political problems
  In this module sociology and politics you'll have an opportunity to explore how particular issues become identified as a social or a political problem. Moreover you'll be encouraged to explore how these problems are contested. In addition you'll look at the implications of these problems for society and for politics. Seminars and workshops will be used to develop your understanding of social and political problems but also to engage them in activities that develop key writing and study skills
• Revolutions, wars and social change 1
  This module is an introduction to some of the major themes and events in modern world history. It begins with an examination of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution. It moves on to look at the Industrial Revolution, Empire and the extension of voting rights. It examines the First and Second World Wars and the ideologies of Fascism, Nazism and Soviet Communism
• Crime, justice, politics and social policy
  This module introduces you to the policy making process that underpins the formation and implementation of public policy (criminal justice policy and social policy) in Britain. It will help you identify the key actors that shape the policy process as well as the social, political and economic factors that influence it. You'll also be introduced to the different providers of criminal justice programmes and social welfare
• Politics, decision making and democracy
  The module is concerned with the key institutions and processes of British politics. It looks at the framework and the dynamics of the British system of government and aims to promote an understanding of the key issues and debates in contemporary British politics. There is a focus on the nature of power and its impact on decision making and policy development. The module looks at formal aspects of British politics including the role of political parties and the key role of ideology. Key institutions such as Prime Minister and Cabinet, Parliament and local government are investigated and analysed. The module looks also democracy beyond the formal realm including the role of pressure groups in the political process. There is also a focus on specific policy areas.
• Revolutions, wars and social change 2
  This module is an introduction to aspects of world history in the period after the Second World War, building on the module Revolutions, Wars and Social Change I. It examines the origins of European integration and the development of the EU, the Cold War, Decolonisation, China under Mao Zedong and the impact of globalisation. It also looks at Britain in the postwar period. It ends by looking at contemporary history and new world orders.

• European politics in transition: continuity and change
  The module looks at political processes in Europe in a comparative perspective. It aims to examine the factors that explain the continuity and stability of politics in Europe as well as the changes that have taken place over the last 2 decades. The module looks at ideology, power and decision making. There is a focus on political events and policy processes, looking at both individual nation states and the European Union. An organising theme of the module is the impact of the end of the cold war on the politics of Europe over the last 2 decades.
• Social research skills 1
  In the first half of this module you'll be introduced to basic issues in research design and methodology. Topics covered include experimental design and random assignment, formulating research questions sampling and measurement. In the second half of the module you'll learn the basics of statistical analysis and how to use SPSS.
• Social theory and modernity
  The scope of this course is designed to provide a grounding in the study of modernity and an understanding of some of the central assumptions of sociological thought developed during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Focusing first on some defining features of modernity, the course combines an examination of some key themes within classical sociological thought such as class, bureaucracy and order, before moving on to consider the relationship between such theorisation and a number of substantive areas of social research and debate. The central section of the course explores the role and meaning of modernist institutions and epistemologies through a case study of the Holocaust. The course concludes with a review of some current critiques of modernity.
• The environment, sustainability and politics
  The scope of this course is designed to provide a grounding in the study of the politics of environmental sustainability. The module focuses firstly on the debate on environmental sustainability which includes the challenge by environmentalists that it is a contradiction. It also covers the defining features of the concept before moving on to the first part of the module which aims to conceptualise and theorise the environment and sustainability. Alternative approaches will also be examined including green theory, the free market and Marxist approaches. The second part of the module looks at increasing global competition for water, food, energy and oil. The politics of climate change and deforestation; transport and tourism; global security and justice will also be covered. The third part of the course focuses on case studies of organisations and movements involved in environmental sustainability. It includes IPCC; Copenhagen Climate Council; the Fair Trade Movement; Ethical Consumerism and the Environmental Movement.
• Globalisation and development: Africa and the BRIC economies
  This module introduces key concepts, issues and theoretical debates in development studies. The module focuses on the developing societies of Africa, Asia, and Latin America and seeks to develop a comparative analysis of the divergent developmental experiences of Africa and the BRIC economies. The module locates the debates and issues that it explores within both an historical and global context and encourages students to explore the inter-dependence of the developed and developing world.
Plus option from the following modules:
• Introduction to the workplace
  The module explores the role of the historical and contemporary role of the voluntary, statutory and private sectors in meeting social need and the delivery of social welfare. The module is divided into two parts. Part one explores and charts the development of charity and philanthropic organizations in the late 19th century as the largest player in social welfare. This part of the module examines the key players involved in the construction and development of charitable and philanthropic organisations and well as the motivation for their work. This part of the module will also examine the Poor Law Review which took place between 1905-1909 to identify the debates related to the role of the state, the voluntary sector and the individual citizen in social security and social protection. The aim of part one is to identify and understand how these debates contributed to welfare state formation. Theoretical perspectives related to role of capitalism in social welfare will be used to frame historical and contemporary developments in voluntary and public sector delivery of social welfare. The second part identifies the role of the voluntary and statutory sector after welfare state formation and particularly identifies ways in which both sectors identified and filled gaps in the welfare state. This part also explores contemporary developments with a particular focus on mixed markets and the promotion of the voluntary sector and private sector in the delivery of social welfare. This part of the module will specifically explore relevant issues related to organizational capacity, funding and management issues effecting voluntary, statutory and private sector organizations.
• Making identities: citizenship, race and nation
  This course aims to examine the processes that have shaped key facets of identity in contemporary societies. It does this by exploring modern sociological approaches to the analysis of three key identities, namely those based on citizenship, race and nation. It seeks to situate the origins and development of the study of these phenomena in the context of debates about the formation of social identities in modern states and societies. By taking notions such as citizenship, race and nation and examining their inter-relationship the Module aims to provide a critical analysis of key sociological debates about the making of social and political identities. An important concern of the course throughout is to explore the changing understandings of 'citizenship', 'race' and 'nation'. This allows you to explore important theoretical questions and debates and encourages you to think critically about their utility for the analysis of specific historical processes and contemporary situations. The module will encourage you to think across the different boundaries of race and nation, gender and sexuality, as well as locality or environment in order to understand the different interrelationships between these forms of identity formation and citizenship in the modern world.
• Gender difference and equality
  In the past few decades work on gender has been crucial in challenging mainstream sociological thought, and in making exciting and innovative contributions to sociological theory, methodology and policy. The aim of this Module is to chart this history and to explore some of the key contemporary debates around gender. It will build on the foundation work of feminist writers in challenging mainstream sociological thought and methodologies and then move on to examine issues of femininity, masculinity and gender difference in relation to the world of work, paid and unpaid, politics, social policy, the media and crime. This Module addresses equality and diversity by focusing on the issue of gender difference and equality through the study of historical and contemporary debates on a range of topical issues reflecting diversity and equality issues in contemporary British society.

• Contemporary international politics
  This module draws on the disciplines of international political economy, political theory and international relations to explore central features of the contemporary international system. It introduces you to the major theoretical perspectives in international relations (including the dominant Realist perspective and its critics), and analyses the global power of the US and that of its rivals, including China. Alongside this theoretical and agent-based analysis the module also introduces you to a number of significant contemporary issues, including the debate on transnationalism, the international role of non-state actors, and the international politics of the environment.
• Dissertation
  This level six double module covers two semesters and consists of the study and research for and completion of an academic dissertation with a 10,000 word limit. You'll choose a subject relevant to the study of Politics in which you'd like to specialize, and then use skills and knowledge accumulated and developed through modules studied at previous levels to undertake and complete the dissertation. During the whole process, from choice of subject to final submission, you'll have the support and guidance of a supervisor allocated for this purpose.
• Work placement dissertation
  This double module provides an opportunity for you to work in settings directly related to your area of study. The aim is to increase your employability and to enhance your experience of working in social policy related areas. The Work Placement Dissertation will enable you to explore and reinforce the interface between theory and practice in a professional setting. The module facilitates the application of appropriate theory and policy knowledge within the workplace. Depending on your interest, the module enables you to produce one of two types of reports. The first Option 1 is a Work Placement Policy Interface Dissertation in which you'll identify and discuss particular policies that impact on the organization and assess the appropriateness and effectiveness of these policies. The second Option 2 is Work Placement Organisational Action Plan Dissertation in which you'll identify a particular aspect of the organisation that is in need of improvement and that would benefit from a better understanding of social policy theories. You'll then develop an action plan to address this area.
• American politics; ideology, culture and power
  The module looks at the government and politics of the USA including selected aspects of political economy and society. Attention will be given to historical developments by examining political culture and the notion of American exceptionalism. There will be a focus on ideology and its link to religious and cultural values including an analysis of such phenomena as the 'Tea Party Movement'. Key institutions and issues analysed include the Presidency, Legislature and Supreme Court, the federal system, elections and electoral demography and political parties.

• Genocide in the twentieth century
  This module explores the history of genocide in the twentieth century. It begins with an introduction to the concept of genocide. It then examines colonial genocides, the Armenian Genocide of 1915-16, the Nazi 'Final Solution', genocides in Cambodia, Yugoslavia and Rwanda. It analyses the dynamics of genocide – the processes and mechanisms of acts committed with the intention of destroying, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, religious or racial group – in order to shed light upon their origins and consequences.
• Women, power and politics
  This Module will first of all explore the perceptions of women in political philosophy and assess the impact feminist thinking has had on political theory with regard to the issues of gender difference, citizenship and political rights. The module will then turn to evaluate the engagement and representation of women in politics in a number of contexts, national and international, through the use of case studies. You'll be given an in-depth understanding of the social, cultural, economic and political factors which explain the under representation of women in national politics and review the various strategies implemented in an attempt to introduce greater gender equality with regard to political representation in the twenty first century.
• Politics and protest
  This course will examine forms of social and political conflict characteristic of contemporary western societies. The main focus will be on understanding social movements and forms of political contention in the changing social structure of these societies. Although it has a contemporary western focus the course will situate discussion also in the context of historical and comparative material on social movements. The emphasis throughout however will be on examining the ability of social and political theory to understand the nature of political identity and its expression in social movements.
• Work placement
  This module provides an opportunity for you to work in settings directly related to their area of study. It will enable you to explore and reinforce the interface between theory and practice in a professional setting. The module will facilitate both the application of appropriate theory and policy knowledge within the workplace and the enhancement of academic study through the application and integration of relevant workplace experience into the academic context. Voluntary and community sector organisations with a registered charity number and most political organisations are suitable for work placements. However you'll be required to meet and consult with the module coordinator and their pathway supervisor to identify an appropriate voluntary sector and/or political organisation in which to carry out your work placement.
• Race, culture and society
• Sociology in the 21st century
• Drugs and crime