BA (Hons) Politics and War Studies

Module: 4PO003

Credits: 20

Period: 1

Type: Core

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

In what ways, and why, have British politics changed since 1945? What do our major political parties stand for? This module introduces the student to important aspects of contemporary British politics and encourages the student to think critically about the role and effectiveness of British party politics in the 21st century

Module: 4PO002

Credits: 20

Period: 1

Type: Core

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

The aim of this module is to introduce you to the main issues in international relations (IR) at the current time and to provide an intellectual framework to enable you to better understand our contemporary world and analyse and interpret international developments. The first part of the module deals with the scope and main concepts and theories of IR, the second part with the main actors in international relations and the third part looks at some of the main issues on the contemporary global agenda. This module is designed for ‘beginners’ and no prior study of IR is needed.

Module: 4WR004

Credits: 20

Period: 1

Type: Core

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

The Holocaust stands as a watershed event for western civilization, calling into question the moral and ethical foundations of the West. This module sets the historical exploration of the events of the Holocaust within the wider context of political, religious and legal issues.

Module: 4HS001

Credits: 20

Period: 1

Type: Core

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

The module introduces you to the study and practice of history (and if you are studying for a degree in a cognate field, the practice of academic work). Different approaches to the subject, historiographical and methodological issues will be studied in order to familiarise you with the pathway learning outcomes, derived from the QAA History benchmarking statement, which will underpin your studies. A key focus of the module will be the development of subject and key skills that will enable you to cope with more advanced work in the subject.

Module: 4WR002

Credits: 20

Period: 1

Type: Core

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

This module introduces students to key issues and debates concerning the origins, nature, and conduct of war. The contributions of political philosophers such as Machiavelli, Hobbes and Kant are discussed, as is the concept of 'Just War', which is applied to recent conflicts. Other contemporary issues in how war is waged such as the growing use of private security companies and humanitarian intervention in conflict environments are also covered. This module provides an ideal opportunity to develop your thinking about the causes, conduct, and nature of war.

Module: 4WR003

Credits: 20

Period: 1

Type: Core

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

The module provides the foundation for the War Studies programme by examining key issues such as strategic thought, definitions of war, and trends and themes in global conflict in the modern era. Particular attention is given to the rise of western styles of warfare and its interaction with differing cultural approaches to war. The importance of analytical skills and the type and nature of source material is also strongly emphasised.

Module: 5PO003

Credits: 20

Period: 2

Type: Core

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

This module considers the nature of political ideology and the difficulties of defining the concept. It examines the most important ideologies of the contemporary period both individually and comparatively. The module seeks to explore the purpose of political ideology, the relationship between political ideas and political practice, as well as the social context that underpins the origin and development of the ideologies, drawing on examples from both European and extra-European contexts.

Module: 5WR008

Credits: 20

Period: 2

Type: Core

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

This module examines a core, controversial element of modern British national identity: the Empire at its height in especially the Victorian era. It will examine the so-called 'Pax' from the Battle of Waterloo and Peace of Paris in 1815 to the peak of British interventionism under Palmerston, the subsequent period of 'Splendid Isolation', and the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. Conflicts such as the Crimean War (1853-6) will be discussed in the context of the pursuit of a 'Balance of Power' and the breakdown of the 'Concert of Europe', as well as colonial struggles worldwide including the Indian 'Mutiny' of 1857-8, the 'Opium' Wars against China (1839-42 and 1856-60), the Ashanti Wars (1823-31, 1863-4 and 1873-4), the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, and the Boer Wars of 1880-1 and 1899-1902. Further study will also be made of the complicated nature of peace and 'gunboat diplomacy' in this period, from various Anglo-American crises including the American Civil War (1861-5), periodic 'invasion scares' of France, and the 'Great Game' with Imperial Russia over Central Asia and beyond.

Module: 5WR006

Credits: 20

Period: 2

Type: Core

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

This module will provide an analysis of the Second World War in Europe between 1939 and 1945. Emphasis is placed on: causes of war; military and strategic conduct; politics and diplomacy; impact of war on societies; and appraisal of the eventual outcome.

Module: 5PO004

Credits: 20

Period: 2

Type: Core

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

This module is intended to develop an understanding of selected aspects of international politics. It begins by looking at key schools of thought and evolving debates in international relations theory in order to introduce students to some of the key concepts regarding which factors shape how international politics and relations are conducted. The module also considers some of the key structural factors at play in international relations. To this end the role of the international and transnational organisations is examined, and debates regarding their purpose and effectiveness are considered. The module also looks at the concepts of regionalism and globalisation, and explores how states respond to these ideas in terms of policy formation.

Module: 5PO006

Credits: 20

Period: 2

Type: Optional

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

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