Politics, International Studies and Hispanic Studies

In addition to core modules, you can choose from optional modules offered by PAIS and the Department of Hispanic Studies, such as Gender and Development, and Language, Text and Identity in the Hispanic World-year module(s) offered by the Hispanic Studies Department.

Your first year builds a strong foundation in all three areas. Your second or third year is spent studying or on work placement in Spain or in another Hispanic country. In your final year, you can choose a 50-50 split between PAIS and Hispanic Studies, or take 75% of modules in one or other of the disciplines.

How will I learn?

The Department of Politics and International Studies (PAIS) has more than 50 academic staff, almost all of whom teach at undergraduate level or supervise final-year dissertations. You normally take four modules in each year and have 8-12 hours of classroom contact per week. Teaching follows a pattern of weekly lectures and seminars, supplemented by group work, one-to-one advice and feedback hours, and the use of web-based materials.

In preparation for seminars, you are expected to read widely from recommended texts and conduct extensive independent research. You usually have the opportunity to deliver at least one seminar presentation per module. You can also attend the Departmental research seminar series that features guest speakers from other universities as well as from our own faculty, independent researchers, and politics practitioners presenting their own research or speaking on relevant topics.

We also have a Departmental film club, which regularly screens documentaries and films with political themes tied to our degree pathways. Films range from box office hits such as Eye In The Sky and Snowden to independent foreign-language films such as The Baader Meinhof Complex and The Lives of Others. Screenings are open to all PAIS students and staff. Each one is introduced by a member of academic staff and is followed by an informal discussion, enabling you to share your opinions.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is via a combination of essays and examinations at the end of each year. You will be given extensive feedback on formative essays, assessed essays and examinations. Most modules enable you to choose between examinations or assessed essays.