Politics and International Relations BA (Hons) DIntS / DPS

What you'll study

Excited to learn more? For a taster of what you can expect to study on our Politics and International Relations BA (Hons) degree, take a sneak preview of some of the modules you may have the opportunity to study below.

The information below reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. Please see Terms and Conditions of Study for more information.

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Final year

You will be introduced to the foundations of Politics and International Relations, providing the framework necessary for appreciating the complexities of domestic and international politics. Our assumption is that students are not necessarily familiar with Politics or International Relations at this stage. Modules cover change, conflict, and crisis in the world arena, global politics, political ideologies, democratic systems and modern European history.

In the first year, students will also choose (a) module(s) from a range of subjects including Economics, English, Languages, Geography, History, Business and Social Sciences.

Semester 1

Core Modules

Smart Scholarship

Smart Scholarship

The Making and Unmaking of the World Order

The Making and Unmaking of the World Order

The Contemporary World Arena

The Contemporary World Arena

Semester 2

Core Modules

Power, Politics and Ideology in Modern Europe

Power, Politics and Ideology in Modern Europe

Understanding Democratic Institutions

Understanding Democratic Institutions

Conceptions of Democracy

Conceptions of Democracy

International Political Theory

International Political Theory

Optional Modules

Economics

Economics

English

English

Languages (French, German, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese)

Languages (French, German, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese)

Geography

Geography

History

History

Business

Business

Social Sciences

Social Sciences

The second year introduces some specialisation, with module choices including: European government and politics, British politics, protest and resistance, security, Cold War Europe and third world politics.

In this year, you will have the opportunity to study modules from a range of subjects including Business, Economics, English, Languages, History, Geography and Social Sciences.

There will also be an alternative option to study abroad for the second semester - if you choose this route (instead of the standard route) you will undertake assessed work and complete a Distance Learning Research Design module, plus select from a range of optional modules.

Semester 1

Core Modules

Theories and Methods in Political Research

Theories and Methods in Political Research

Optional Modules

The European Union

The European Union

History of Political Thought

History of Political Thought

British Politics

British Politics

Enterprise, Employability and Personal Development

Enterprise, Employability and Personal Development

Political Communication

Political Communication

Semester 2

Core Modules

Research Design

Research Design

Optional Modules

Comparative European Politics

Comparative European Politics

Politics of Developing Countries

Politics of Developing Countries

The American Century: US Politics and Society in 20th Century

The American Century: US Politics and Society in 20th Century

International Semester

International Semester

Elective Optional

Elective

Including: Economics; English; Languages (French, German, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese); Geography; History; Business; Social Sciences

This year provides you with the greatest flexibility by allowing you to choose a number of modules from a list of options. Options include topics such as populism, political philosophy, nationalism, politics and religion, violence and terrorism, Asian politics, gender and politics, and Britain and the EU. During this year you will also complete a dissertation in a specialised subject of your choice, under the close supervision of a member of the Department.

In the final year, you will also have the opportunity to study modules from a range of subjects including Business, Economics, English, Languages, History, Geography and Social Sciences.

Semester 1

Core Modules

Dissertation in Politics and International Relations (Semester 1&2) Core

Dissertation in Politics and International Relations (Semester 1&2)

To enable students to undertake a piece of research on a topic of their choice in the field of Politics and International Relations, and to further develop their skills in research techniques and methods.

Optional Modules

1968: World Revolution? Optional

1968: World Revolution?

This module introduces students to the events of 1968 around the world and will examine the claim that they represented a 'world revolution' in that movements of rebellion in all the major centres were united by three things: rejection of the USSR, rejection of the USA and rejection of the 'Old Left'.

Contemporary Political Philosophy Optional

Contemporary Political Philosophy

The key aim of this module is to outline and discuss important themes in contemporary political philosophy by encouraging reflection on a number of common basic assumptions and intuitions about the nature of politics, the responsibilities of social and political institutions and the principles upon which ideas about politics are founded.

International Politics of the Middle East Optional

International Politics of the Middle East

This module introduces students to key political issues in Middle East politics from a local, regional, and global perspective by employing relevant conceptual tools and empirically-informed analyses.

Populist Challenge to Western Democracies Optional

Populist Challenge to Western Democracies

Populism is a phenomenon which has attracted substantial attention in recent years. This is not least related to the rise of radical right-wing parties in Western Europe during the past few decades.

State, Violence and Terrorism Optional

State, Violence and Terrorism

The aim of this module is to develop an understanding of terrorism and political violence by examining a variety of past and present case studies, and by exploring definitions of terrorism, causes of political violence, and the roles played by the state and the media in connection to it.

The Asia-Pacific in Global Politics Optional

The Asia-Pacific in Global Politics

This Module explores the various vectors of international politics in the Asia-Pacific; and locates this dynamic region within the larger framework of global politics. Students are expected to demonstrate an appreciation of the web of interactions in the Asia-Pacific at the end of the module.

Semester 2

Optional Modules

After Empire: South Asia since 1945 Optional

After Empire: South Asia since 1945

This course examines the emergence, evolution and contemporary existence of South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal) since 1945. It explores the moments of incorporation, trajectories of development and marginal spaces, apart from the mainstream of South Asia today.

Britain and the EU Optional

Britain and the EU

The aim of this module is to develop multiple and critical perspectives on the question of the UK's membership of the European Union. The module will introduce the complexity of the UK's relationship with the EU.

Gender and Politics Optional

Gender and Politics

The aim of this module is to explore how gender, understood in terms of both masculinity and femininity, relates to politics, both domestic and international.

Post-War Britain: The Start of the Decline Optional

Post-War Britain: The Start of the Decline

The aim of this module is for students to become familiar with key events in British Post-War political history, the key factors in shaping the events and their relevance for understanding contemporary Britain.

Power, Politics and Participation in the Digital Age Optional

Power, Politics and Participation in the Digital Age

The key aims of the module are to introduce key concepts in new media and politics and to introduce the central debates around the relationship between power, politics, participation, and the internet.

War in the 21st Century Optional

War in the 21st Century

To explore and understand the impact of technological innovation in the business of war and conflict in the 21st Century.

Elective Optional

Elective

Including: Economics; English; Languages (French, German, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese); Geography; History; Business; Social Sciences

Programme specification

Module specification