Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Political Socialisation and Ideology

Why do we vote the way we do? What affects our actions, and our political decisions? In this module, we’ll investigate politics through human behaviour. You’ll explore political culture, and how we participate in a democratic society. We’ll also look at how humans are socialised to hold various political views. You’ll gain a key insight into how ideas and ideologies affect our behaviour individually and as a group.

• Politics in Comparative Perspective

In this module, you’ll investigate politics, and the struggle for power, across the nations. You’ll gain a clear introduction to how and why political systems differ in our world today. You’ll examine case studies from a wide range of states, and gain a strong insight into how different regimes function – from the democratic to the totalitarian.

• Critical Skills in Politics and International Relations

In this module, you’ll explore the art and science of Politics and International Relations. You’ll develop the critical research and study skills you need to succeed in your degree, as you explore how these two disciplines work. You’ll get to grips with the scope of International Relations and Politics, and consider:

 the issues they explore
 the questions they seek to answer
 their academic, educational and social value.

Optional modules

Global Challenges in International Relations

In this module, you’ll explore the leading issues of current world politics.

You’ll investigate the key figures, structures and processes in world politics - like states, political economies and multinational societies.

You’ll also analyse concepts such as:

 anarchy
 order
 sovereignty
 conflict and cooperation among states, and non-state figures.

You’ll also investigate the chronic issues of world politics, including:

 gender
 migration
 human rights
 humanitarian intervention
 energy resources and the environment
 development, inequality and poverty.

We’ll explore how different nations manage these issues and what this tells us about international governance.

Foundations of Social Theory

What is social theory? Who are the major social theorists, and what do they have to say about things like power, beliefs and values, capitalism, feminism and more? In this module, you’ll explore key concepts and theories in classical and contemporary sociology. You’ll also immerse yourself in current debates, developments and approaches to social theory. And you’ll encounter theories like Marxism, postcolonialism, functionalism and more.

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Political Thought 1: Sovereignty, Rights and the Social Contract

In this module, you’ll dive into political thought and international theory, encountering thinkers from Machiavelli to Mill. You’ll gain fantastic critical skills as you analyse key texts on modern political theory, and understand states and international contexts. You’ll explore classic texts, including Hobbes’ Leviathan and Rousseau's The Social Contract. You’ll also analyse key ideas in modern political thought, including:

 natural rights
 sovereignty
 representation.

• Researching Politics and International Relations

In this module, you’ll develop the practical research skills you need to design and carry out your first piece of social sciences research. You’ll start with the ‘big questions’ of ‘What exists?’ and ‘How can we know about what exists?’ From here, you’ll move on to consider the different research methods and their implications. You’ll take part in hands-on workshops and practical sessions, preparing you to conduct your research for your final-year dissertation.

Optional modules

Dilemmas of Governing

How much did world leaders rely on history to make decisions? In this module, you’ll look at governing strategy from the 20th century to the present day. You’ll choose either the British or Soviet states, and analyse how their leaders managed crises and issues. You’ll also explore the relationship between politics and economics, and apply key approaches to the problems of governing.

Nationalism and Regime Change

In this module, you’ll explore the effect of nationalism, ethnicity and regime change on a country. You’ll get to grips with the different approaches we use to explore them. You’ll gain fantastic analytical skills as you apply these approaches to real world cases, and investigate the implications of their different perspectives.

You’ll also look at how globalisation impacts the politics and identity of a country. You’ll analyse the ways in which globalisation can be a force for good (spreading democracy) and bad (divisive, leading to nationalist resistance).

Political Thought 2: Progress, Oppression and Liberation

In this module, you’ll plunge into the history of modern political thought from Kant to de Beauvoir. You’ll also explore the thinking of:

 Hegel
 Marx
 Nietzsche
 Fanon.

You’ll investigate key theories of politics - international and national. And you’ll explore issues such as the end of history, gender, feminism and race.

State and Society: Europe and the United States

In this module, you can investigate the politics of either Europe or the USA, subject to student numbers and staff availability.

In the European strand, you’ll explore themes of democracy and citizenship. You’ll look closely at what democracy and citizenship might mean to people living in the UK, France, Germany and in Europe’s post-communist countries. You’ll also look at the future of European states and societies, and how they can adapt to challenges such as migration.

In the American strand, you’ll focus on governmental and political institutions. You’ll also explore explosive issues in American politics, including religion, race and capital punishment.

Work-based Learning

In this module, you’ll have the chance to carry out a work placement closely linked to your Politics course. You’ll be supported by your module leader to find a placement that meets your needs, and which will support your learning. With a carefully chosen placement, you’ll build on the skills and knowledge you’ve already gained in Year 1, and you’ll also strengthen vital skills for the workplace, like time management, communication and team-working.

Students have found placements in organisations like:

 Asylum Welcome, working with asylum seekers in Oxford
 Viva, an international children’s charity
 Depaul, working with homeless people and immigrants in Paris.

During and after your placement, you’ll:

 create a placement portfolio, recording what you’ve done and achieved
 craft a CV showing your experience
 give a presentation on your placement.

Year 3

Compulsory modules

• Double Dissertation in Politics or Interdisciplinary Dissertation in Politics or Dissertation in combined subject

This module gives you the chance to do independent research on a topic that fascinates you. You’ll have the support of an expert lecturer in Politics. You’ll gain fantastic project management and research skills for your future career, as you design and conduct your own research over two semesters. Whatever your topic, you’ll shape your project around your passions, and gain the core skills to succeed in your degree.

Previous students’ dissertations have tackled topics such as:

 The Brexit vote and national identity
 Hong Kong’s relationship with China and the UK
 The changing roles of Arab women in peacemaking
 The role of social media in US elections
 Boko Haram and state fragility in Nigeria.

Optional modules

The politics of public space: The EU and Russia

In this module, you’ll develop key critical skills as you explore the democratic challenges confronting Russia and the EU. Both are currently facing enormous social, political and economic transformation.You’ll gain an understanding of the forces affecting a large, diverse multi-ethnic state or supranational entity. You’ll look at the roles of the media, civil society and political institutions in identity and the formation of states.

You can choose to study either Russia or the EU. You’ll take either Democratic Challenges in Contemporary Russia: State and Society, or Democratic Challenges in the European Union: Integration and Disintegration, depending on staff and student availability.
Violence, and the Politics of Peace and Identity

From terrorism to mass protests, how do we make sense of violence and resistance? In this module, you’ll explore the tensions between local and global communities in building peace. You’ll investigate how identity markers such as gender, race, nationality and ethnicity relate to violence and resistance. You can choose to focus on violence, resistance and identity politics, or violent conflict and peacebuilding.

Freedom and Justice: Contemporary and Feminist Perspectives

In this module, you’ll explore theories of freedom and justice in relation to specific political problems and puzzles. You’ll ask questions like:

 Is it possible to have universal principles of justice within complex multicultural societies?
 Do conventional identities limit our freedom?
 Do freedom and justice require ‘empowerment’?

You’ll also look at relevant concepts such as rights and equality. You’ll gain valuable critical skills as you explore the different methods we use to explore these concepts, and how they play out in the practical world of politics.

You’ll be able to choose between two streams, depending on staff availability:

 Contemporary Political Philosophy
 Feminist/Queer Theory.

Politics in the Global South: South Africa or Latin America

Undertake a detailed examination of the political economy of the Global South.

Choose your pathway: South Africa or Latin America.

South African pathway:

You'll start by analysing the legacy of South Africa’s history. Then you'll look at some of the key issues in the political economy of post-apartheid South Africa. And with the knowledge you've built. You'll assess the links between the legacies of apartheid and the nature of some of the problems encountered in South Africa today.

Latin America pathway:

You'll begin with exploring the historical background of colonisation, as well as modern state and class formation. You'll then look at debates about development and democratisation. With a focus on the continent’s role within the global economy. And the impact of the drugs trade and the role of non-governmental organizations. Finally you'll examine current issues of power and resistance in relation to world order, including shifting geopolitical influences.

Independent Study

This module gives you the chance to research a topic in Politics that fascinates you. With support from a supervisor, you’ll choose, plan and carry out your independent research. You’ll gain in-depth knowledge of your subject. You’ll also build great project management and research skills, which will help you in your future career.