Politics BA (Hons)

Module details Programme Year One

8 modules (120 CATS points)

• 6 in Politics
• Up to 2 modules outside of Politics

Compulsory modules

• British Politics (POLI101) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester First Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 60:40 Aims

  ​To analyse the context of British Politics

  To understand the key ideological and policy approaches of British political parties

  ​​To examine the basis of British electoral choice

  ​To explore the wider context of British politics, in terms of Atlanticist and European relationships

  
  

  Learning Outcomes

  To develop an understanding of the main actors and key institutions in British Politics.

  ​To encourage students to think analytically about the British political system

  ​To develop analysis of the major British political events and how they have affected the political system.

  ​To develop students'' written and presentation skills.

• British Politics Ii (POLI102) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester Second Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 50:50 Aims

  ​To examine the distribution of power in Britain and the operation of power within the contemporary British state.

  ​To outline the traditional conception of the British political system as the ‘Westminster Model’ and consider the extent to which this conception has been undermined  in recent decades.​

  ​​To introduce the principal ''theories of the state'' and illustrate their application to the study of the British political system.​

  ​​ To provide an overview of the key institutional components of the British political system (such as the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Parliament, the civil service, local government and devolved institutions)

  To highlight key currents in political participation and accountability in Britain. ​

  ​ To illustrate how economic and political decision making ‘outside’ the UK nation state impacts on political power in Britain.

  Learning Outcomes ​You will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the key controversies associated with the distribution of power in Britain.
  ​You will b e able to discuss the formal and informal structure and operation of power both within and beyond the contemporary British state.
  ​​You will be able to outline the key elements of the ''Westminster Model’ and debate its validity as a description of the location and structuring of power in the British political system today.
  
  ​You will be able to explain the primary ''theories of the state'' and apply them in discussing the operation of a range of British political institutions and processes.
  
  ​You will b e able to show an understanding of the role of the key institutions making up the British political system, their relative power and the relationships between them. 
  
  
  

  You will be able to debate how political participation and accountability impact on the exercise of power in British politics.

  
  

  You will be able to discuss the ways in which economic and political decision making ‘outside’ the UK nation state impacts on political power in Britain. ​

• Foundations In International Politics (POLI104) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester Second Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 80:20 Aims

  The principal objective of this module is to provide introductory foundations to the study of international politics by introducing the main theories and approaches

  To provide an overview of the major developments of international politics since the 20th century, paying particular attention to the Cold War and its aftermath. ​

  To offer brief introductions to four main issues of international politics: globalisation, Europeanisation and regional integration, environmentalism and poverty and development. ​

  Learning Outcomes

  ​​​By the end of the module students should have an introductory understanding of the main theories of international politics, a basic knowledge of the main historical developments of international politics in the 20th century and a foundational understanding of some of the main issues in international politics.

   

  This will include:

  An understanding of what is meant by realism, liberalism, Marxism and constructivism as approaches to the analysis of international politics. The ability to apply the main approaches to the understanding of different historical phases of and issues in international politics.

  ​A knowledge of the main contours of the 20th century history of international politics, particularly in relation to the Cold War and its aftermath.​

  ​The delivery of short, small-group presentations conveying information and ideas succinctly and effectively​

  ​Written communication conveying information and ideas, organised to form sustained arguments​

• European Politics I (POLI107) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester First Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 80:20 Aims

  To provide an introduction to European politics by focusing on key contemporary issues while introducing some basic concepts of political science encountered in studying this subject

  To examine key challenges encountered when attempting to define and conceptualise Europe​

  To develop understanding of key debates around status of democracy and crisis of the nation-state in the European context​

  To examine salient transversal themes encountered in the politics of Europe, such as integration, international migration​ and security

  Learning Outcomes

  An understanding of the historical development and contemporary practice of European politics

  A working knowledge of the principles underlying political processes and systems (electoral systems and party systems) and how they operate in the European political space​

  An understanding of the political importance of different government structures (parliaments, the executive) at national and regional (EU) levels

  A knowledge of the challenges posed by contemporary political trends to European nation-states and European integration​

• European Politics Ii (POLI108) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester Second Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 75:25 Aims

  To introduce students to the distinctive characteristics of political institutions in selected European states

  To introduce the main features of political development in a range of European countries​

  To provide a basis for comparison between different European political systems​

  Learning Outcomes

  Knowledge of key features of contemporary European political systems in a range of countries

  Analytical understanding of processes of democratisation in southern and eastern Europe​

  Ability to compare and contrast forms of executive leadership, party systems, state institutions and the political evolution of European political systems since the latter half of the nineteenth century​

• Foundations In Politics (POLI109) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester First Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 70:30 Aims

  This course aims to introduce students to some key questions in political science, to methods of political analysis and to the foundations of politics that make it a distinct subject from other disciplines.   The key aim of the course is to make students reflect on how societies are and should be governed.  The course will familiarise students with a variety of concepts and theoretical approaches to political science, in order to assist them in the study of sub-national, national and international politics.  In effect, this course aims to provide students with a ''political science conceptual and theoretical tool box'' that will assist you in the study of all modules throughout the three years of the degree.  It is for this reason that the course is entitled ''Foundations in Politics''.

  Learning Outcomes

  Acquired a working knowledge and understanding of the nature and significance of politics as a human activity;

  ​A knowledge of the basic concepts of political analysis

  ​Development of the capacity among students to evaluate different interpretations of political issues and events;

  ​Facilitation of the gathering, organisation and deployment of evidence by students from a variety of sources, in pursuit of enhanced understanding of political issues and events;

  ​An ability to construct reasoned argument and make critical judgements about political issues and events.

Programme Year Two

8 modules (120 CATS points)

• Up to 8 in Politics
• Up to 2 outside the school

Programme Year Three

8 modules (120 CATS points)

• Up to 8 in Politics (including optional dissertation)
• Up to 2 outside the school

The modules listed above are illustrative and subject to change. Please refer to the department site for further information