Politics with Economics 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 with Economics 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 specialise in the areas of politics and economics that you enjoy the most. Choose from a list of optional courses offered by the Department of Politics, History and International Relations on topics such as nationalism, terrorism, political philosophy, populism, and gender, and by the School of Business and Economics on a range of topics addressing key issues such as International Trade, Finance and Industrial Economics. You will also write a dissertation on an aspect of politics or economics that you would like to explore in more detail.

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.

Semester 1 & 2

Principles of Macroeconomics Core

Principles of Macroeconomics

The aims of this module are to provide a sound, basic understanding of modern macroeconomics, its historical development and its application to theoretical and real world problems.

Principles of Microeconomics Core

Principles of Microeconomics

The aims of this module are to introduce how microeconomic methods of analysis are used to analyse and evaluate contemporary market systems.

You will take compulsory and optional courses in a range of topics in politics, from political thought and political protest, to European politics, British politics and others while further developing your grasp of economic theory and practice.

Semester 1

History of Political Thought (EUB629) Core

History of Political Thought (EUB629)

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.

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.

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.

Transport Economics Optional

Transport Economics

Semester 2

Research Design Core

Research Design

The aim of this module is to develop skills in research design.

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.

Comparative European Politics Optional

Comparative European Politics

The module offers a pan-European introduction to the continent's politics and compares the instututions of, and processes within, democracies across Europe. The module also focuses on the importance of the comparative method and the theoretically-informed empirical research in the field of political science.

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 Economics of Social Issues Optional

The Economics of Social Issues

Semester 1 and 2

Elective Optional

Elective

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

Economics of the Financial System Optional

Economics of the Financial System

The aims of the module are (1) to enable students to understand the key theoretical and analytical issues involved in the financial system; (2) to apply this analytical framework to the business of financial institutions and markets; (3) to review the changing economics of financial firms; (4) to gain an understanding of current issues in the financial system; (5) to consider the causes, consequences and regulatory responses to the global financial crisis.

International Economic Relations Optional

International Economic Relations

This module is an introduction to the economic analysis of some of the key real (i.e. non-monetary) phenomena that are associated with globalisation. In particular, we will examine how economists study international trade flows; trade policy; and foreign direct investment (FDI) and multinational enterprises (MNEs). We will also analyse the basis, both in positive economics and in normative/ethical concerns, of selected controversies surrounding globalisation.

Introduction to Financial Economics Optional

Introduction to Financial Economics

You will specialise in the areas of politics and economics that you enjoy the most. Choose from a list of optional courses offered by the Department of Politics, History and International Relations on topics such as nationalism, terrorism, political philosophy, populism, and gender, and by the School of Business and Economics on a range of topics addressing key issues such as International Trade, Finance and Industrial Economics. You will also write a dissertation on an aspect of politics or economics that you would like to explore in more detail.

Semester 1

Dissertation Core

Dissertation

To enable students to undertake an extensive piece of research on a topic of their choice in the field of their degree title, and to further develop their skills in research techniques and methods.

State Violence and Terrorism Optional

State Violence and Terrorism

The Asia Pacific in Global Politics Optional

The Asia Pacific in Global Politics

Contemporary Political Philosophy

Contemporary Political Philosophy

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.

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.

Empire, War and Popular Culture in Britain c. 1880-1930 Optional

Empire, War and Popular Culture in Britain c. 1880-1930

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'.

Semester 2

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.

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.

Britain and the EU Optional