BA in Politics

Teaching is at the center of the activities of the School of Government and International Affairs where undergraduates enjoy a vibrant and challenging intellectual environment. The School places great importance on research-led teaching, which integrates new and cutting-edge research into the curriculum and introduces students to a variety of research-oriented skills and research-based projects.

Undergraduate teaching is structured around three main streams: Political Thought, Political Institutions, and International Relations. Students move from generalist courses in these areas in their early years to more specialized options in Honours Politics which explore the diverse and dynamic politics of the contemporary world. Modules in the second and third years reflect the research expertise of the School’s members of staff. Such areas include, but are not limited to European Politics, Political Thought, Middle East Politics, the Politics of East Asia and International Theory.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Political Theory
• Democratic Political Systems
• Comparative Politics
• Researching Politics and International Relations

Plus two of the following:

• International Security, Interdependence and Organisation
• Global Regions in International Relations
• Theory and History in International Relations
• ONE module offered by another department OR ONE module offered by the Centre for Foreign Language Study

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Research Project EITHER Foundations of Western Political Thought OR Analytical Politics

Plus FOUR of the following modules which can include the one above not chosen previously. These may vary annually but in the past have included:

•  International Theory
• The Politics of Pacific Asia
• International Organisations
• Global Political Economy
• Sovereignty, State and Empire
• Introduction to Politics and International Relations of the Middle East
• European Politics
• ONE module offered by another department OR ONE module offered by the Centre for Foreign Language Study

Year 3

Compulsory module

• Dissertation (Double).

Optional modules vary but in the past have included:

• Culture and Conflict in American Politics 
• The Ethics of Violence in International Relations
• Theories of Liberty
• Elections and British Politics
• ONE module offered by another department

Options Available:-

• 4 Year With foundation Year