Politics 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 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 the study of Politics, providing the framework necessary for appreciating the complexities of the political world. Our assumption is that students are not necessarily familiar with Politics at this stage. Modules cover different models of democratic governance, political ideologies, international politics, and key international organisations.

Examples of core modules are listed below. In Year 1, you will also be able to choose from a range of optional modules in either Economics, English, Languages, Geography, International Relations, Business, Politics or Social Sciences.

Semester 1

Smart Scholarship Core

Smart Scholarship

This module introduces students to fundamental skills for successful study in Politics, International Relations, and/or History.

The Making and Unmaking of the World Order Core

The Making and Unmaking of the World Order

This module introduces students to the main currents of world history and to the shifting structure of the international order in the modern period. It aims to cover both the mainstream narratives and those critical of Eurocentrism, thereby stimulating an appreciation in cultural diversity

The Contemporary World Arena Core

The Contemporary World Arena

The aims of the module are to explore various aspects of the contemporary world arena, and to consider the importance of different actors and issues; and to identify links between theory and practice in the world arena.

Semester 2

Power, Politics and Ideology in Modern Europe Core

Power, Politics and Ideology in Modern Europe

This module provides an introduction to modern European history from c.1750 to the present and to the major ideological families that have defined, and continue to shape, European political, cultural, and intellectual life.

Understanding Democratic Institutions Core

Understanding Democratic Institutions

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the main institutions, powers and dynamics of a liberal democracy.

Conceptions of Democracy Core

Conceptions of Democracy

The aim of this module is to introduce a variety of perspectives on democracy and examine some of the problems resulting from the institutionalisation of democracy in the domestic and global arenas.

International Political Theory Core

International Political Theory

This module aims to introduce students to a selection of theories, concepts and theorists of International Politics.

Semester 1 and 2

Elective Optional

Elective

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

The second year introduces some specialisation, with module choices including: British politics, protest and resistance, European politics, history of political thought, and US 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 or Crafting a Dissertation module, plus select from a range of optional modules.

Semester 1

Theories and Methods in Political Research Core

Theories and Methods in Political Research

The aims of this module are to introduce students to the dominant approaches and their research methods in politics.

The European Union Optional

The European Union

The purpose of this course is to inform students about the European Union, including: its historical evolution, its deepening process, its enlargement process, its institutions, its member states and its policy areas.

History of Political Thought Optional

History of Political Thought

The aim of this module is to examine the development of political thought by looking at key concepts, thinkers and movements in the history of ideas.

British Politics Optional

British Politics

The aim of this module is to provide an understanding of the history, institutions, actors, processes and challenges of British Politics and Government.

Enterprise, Employability and Personal Development Optional

Enterprise, Employability and Personal Development

The key aim of this module is to influence students' awareness of and performance in key competencies which are required for personal effectiveness in employment and as a citizen in the wider community

Political Communication Optional

Political Communication

The key aim of this module is to introduce students to the different theoretical perspectives underpinning the study of the political communication before examining specific aspects of political communication in various democracies.

Research Design Core

Research Design

The aim of this module is to develop skills in research design, involving selecting research methodologies, sourcing research data and adapting conceptual frameworks.

Comparative European Politics Optional

Comparative European Politics

This module offers a pan-European introduction to the continent's politics and compares the institutions of, and processes within democracies across Europe.

International Semester Optional

International Semester

Politics of Developing Countries Optional

Politics of Developing Countries

This module aims to examine the problem of socio-economic inequality between the global North and global South and to analyse the relationship between global and local politics and socio-economic development.

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

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

1) Introduce students to the main institutions of the US government and how they function within the US political system 2) Examine the politics and foreign policy of the United States through an analysis of its 20th century history 3) Explore how US cultural, social and intellectual history influenced US politics in the 20th century.

Elective Optional

Elective

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

Semester 1 and 2

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 terrorism and political violence, contemporary political philosophy, gender and politics, Britain and the EU, nationalism, and populism.

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

Semester 1

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'.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Semester 2

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.

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.

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.

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.