European Politics

Course detail Description

The European Politics BA course aims to provide you with a sophisticated understanding of contemporary European politics. In the first year of study, you will gain a firm understanding of European politics and their historical origins.

In the second and third years, you will focus on political science perspectives and a diverse choice of modules available for you to deepen your knowledge in the major areas of interest. This is a three-year study course that comprises modules totalling 360 credits. Each year, you will take modules totalling 120 credits. Additionally, you can choose to study a further 30 credits in languages at the Modern Language Centre.

We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the programme. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. You will be assigned a personal tutor who will provide support and guidance for your studies.

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

The primary methods of assessment for this course are coursework, assessed essays, written examinations and individual and group presentations.

The majority of learning for this degree takes place at the King’s College London Strand Campus. Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the optional modules you select.

• European Studies (French pathway) BA
• European Studies (German pathway) BA
• European Studies (Spanish pathway) BA
• Politics BA
• Political Economy BSc/BA

Read more

Structure

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Year 3

Year 1

Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 360 credits.

Each year, you can choose up to 30 credits of optional modules from outside your course. You can also choose to study up to 30 extra credits of language modules over the duration of your degree.

You are required to take the following modules:

• Introduction to Politics (30 credits)

• The Making of Modern Europe (30 credits)

In addition, you are required to take 60 credits from a range of optional modules from European Politics. 30 credits must focus on at least two different European countries. Optional modules may typically include:

• An Introduction to German Politics (15 credits) [Department of German]
• Politics & Society in Britain 1780-1945 (30 credits) [Department of History]
• Spain in the Twentieth Century, 1939 to 2000 (15 credits) [Department of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies]
• French Political Thought I (15 credits) [Department of French]*
• States & Market (15 credits) [King’s Russia Institute]

* Modules which require that students have at least a B in A-Level French or equivalent.

Year 2 Required Modules

You are required to take the following modules:

• The Integration of the European Union (30 credits)

• Political Analysis (15 credits)

• Research Methods in Political Science (15 credits)

In addition, you are required to take 60 credits from a range of optional modules. 30 credits must focus on one or more European countries. Optional modules may typically include:

• Politics and Culture in Cold War Germany (15 credits)
• Foreign Policy Analysis (30 credits)
• Italian Politics (15 credits)
• The Politics of Central and Eastern Europe (15 credits)
• Nationalism in Spain (15 credits) [Department of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies]
• Introduction to French Politics and Society (15 credits) [Department of French]
• French political Thought II (15 credits) [Department of French]*
• Modern French History (15 credits) [Department of French]*
• Society and Popular Culture in Germany (15 credits) [Department of German]
• Institutions, Identity and Society in Russia and Eurasia (15 credits) [Russia Institute]
• The Economics of Politics (15 credits) [Department of Political Economy]
• Political Theory of Capitalism (15 credits) [Department of Political Economy]
• Government and Business (15 credits) [King’s Business School]

* Modules which require that students have at least a B in A-Level French or equivalent.

You will have the opportunity to study abroad in the second semester of the second year. Partner universities currently include:

• National University of Singapore, Singapore
• Sciences Po (Paris)
• Maastricht University, Netherlands
• University of Oslo, Norway
• University of Copenhagen, Denmark
• Libera Università Internazionale degli Studi Sociali (LUISS), Rome, Italy
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
• University of British Coumbia, Canada
• University of Michigan, USA

Year 3 Required Modules

There are no required modules for this course in year three.

You are required to take 120 credits from a range of optional modules 30 credits must focus on one or more European countries.

Optional modules may typically include:

• Extended Essay (30 credits)
• Clandestine Side of Globalisation: Organised Crime, Terrorism and Corruption (15 credits)
• Immigration, Identity and the Securitization of Europe's Borders (15 credits)
• Contemporary German Politics (15 credits)
• Comparative Capitalism (15 credits)
• German Foreign Policy (15 credits)
• Contemporary French Politics (30 credits)*
• Contemporary Spanish Politics: Institutions & Actors (15 credits)
• Democracy, populism and liberalism in southern Europe and Latin America(15 credits)•Postcolonial Political Economy (15 credits)
• Europe, America and the Transatlantic (15 credits)
• States and Citizens in Political Anthropology (15 credits)
• Corporate Social Responsibility (15 credits) [King’s Business School]
• Politics and Justice in International Law (15 credits) [Department of Political Economy]
• International Institutions & Global Governance (15 credits) [Department of Political Economy]
• Political Economy of Inequality (15 credits) [Department of Political Economy]

* Modules which require that students have at least an B in A-Level French or equivalent.

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to- date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.