International Relations, Political Science, with Year Abroad BA

Modules in the first year

In this year you take required foundation modules in international relations and diplomatic history:

• Understanding Politics
• Introduction to Political Theory
• Politics as a Vocation 1 and 2
• Pathways to Political Research 1 and 2
• Understanding International Relations
• Global History

Modules in the second year

You build upon this foundation in the second year. An outstanding feature of the programme is the wide range of options available, as well as the interdisciplinary nature of the course. There are no required modules in the second year of this degree. Instead you will choose six second-year optional modules:

Optional POLSIS modules in the second year Public Choice Theory International Political Economy Diplomatic History post 1945 British Politics International Relations Theory International Security International Politics & Security in Russia & Eurasia The Political Economy of Energy and Energy Security Modern Political Thought Analysing Political Worlds Global Governance International Relations of the Middle East Feminist Political Ideas Comparative Politics Elections and Voting in Britain America and the Middle East through Politics and Film Public Policy Blunders and Bad Decision Making Soviet Politics: Rise and Fall of a Superpower War and Peace in Theory and Practice Quantitative Political Analysis Rebels and Revolutionaries: The Politics of Non-State Armed Groups Controversies in Contemporary Democracies: Comparative Perspectives

Year Abroad

In your third year you will register for the equivalent of 120 credits at the host institution. You will have to undertake and pass the assessment for 60 credits of the modules for which you are registered at the host institution. A Pass is required for progression to the 4th year of the programme. These credits will not contribute to the overall degree classification.

• 60 credits - POLSIS year abroad
• 60 credits - Year Abroad Assessment Module

Modules in the final year

In the final year of your degree you will undertake an independent study project and up to five optional modules. Modules in the final year are advanced, research led modules taught by experts in the subject area.

There are two distinct independent study pathways of independent study in the final year:

Pathway one

On this pathway you will write a 10,000 word dissertation on a topic of your choice. You will be guided and supported by a supervisor who is an expert in your area of interest. In addition to writing the dissertation you will be able to take four optional modules.

Pathway two

On the second pathway you take the module Problems in World Politics. This module is designed to allow students to apply the knowledge they have acquired on their degree to real world policy problems in politics. In addition to this independent study module you will be able to take five optional modules.

War-Torn States and Post-Conflict Reconstruction in the South Power in Britain Contemporary US Foreign and Security Policy Contemporary International Political Economy Topics in British Politics Democracy and Democratization in Contemporary Europe Left Parties and Protest Movements Gender in World Politics Issues in US Domestic Politics Professional Development The Diplomacy of the Arab-Israeli Conflict Global Capitalism and Migration Law, Politics and the International System: Mediating Power beyond the State Varieties of Capitalism and Welfare State Models Parties, Voters and Elections Russian Foreign Policy Security in Europe: Actors, Crises and Threats Strategy and Decision-Making Conflict, Statehood and Sovereignty in World Politics Populism in Contemporary Politics Politics of Migrants, Refugees, and Diasporas in the Middle East Global Uprisings: Critique and Radical Politics New Media, Social Media, and International Politics. Contemporary Russian and East European Politics Body Politics: Security, Economy, Violence Understanding Brexit: Identity and Euroscepticism in Europe The EU in a Globalised World The Political Economy of Russia Environment, Politics and Society Politics, Music and the Arts

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Unless indicated otherwise, the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2020. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.