Politics
School of Politics, International Relations & Philosophy
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Last Updated 23 January 2012

Principal Course Timetable Blocks 3


Politics at Keele is taught within SPIRE. The School is an internationally recognised centre of research excellence, demonstrated in the award of a 5A in the most recent (2001) research assessment exercise. It also prides itself on the quality of its teaching and student-centred approach, as reflected in the maximum 24/24 score achieved in its teaching quality assessment, also in 2001.

Politics is studied either as a single honours course, or as part of a dual honours degree in combination with a wide range of subjects.

The Politics course at Keele provides a challenging treatment of the ways in which modern political science and political theory have dealt with these and other issues. Over the three years you will have the opportunity to choose to explore in depth the questions that interest you most. Students are encouraged to engage creatively and imaginatively in understanding and explaining the political events, institutions and ideas shaping all our lives.

SPIRE welcomes students from all over the world and has particularly well-established links with certain continental and North American universities. Due to demand there may be more limited access to level III special subjects for ERASMUS, Exchange and Study Abroad students.

Information on courses and modules offered by SPIRE can be found in the Handbooks on their website: www.keele.ac.uk/depts/spire/currentstudents/Undergrads/index.htm

NB. Because of variations in staff availability and research interests from time to time, certain courses may not run in particular semesters. Erasmus, Exchange and Study Abroad students please confirm availability with the School when applying.

Politics Dual Honours - Level 1 Modules

Semester 1 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
PIR-10038 Why Politics Matters C C 7.5 15
This module provides an introduction to politics that strips it back to its essentials. We examine the core debates in the subject and show why argument and disagreement are perennial features of modern politics but also why politics is an integral feature of modern societies. Core questions in the first part of the course include - where does politics happen? Is it only about government, or can it also include politics in our daily lives, such as who looks after the children? Are we under the thumb of a ruling elite or does democracy mean that power is diffused widely in society? If democracy was the greatest political achievement of the twentieth century, is it now in trouble? Are people now more disenchanted with politics and are politicians less honest and more corrupt than they used to be? Has the state interfered too much in our lives or should government being doing more? What makes a good citizen and does being a good citizen include saying no to governments on occasion? There are no easy or universally-agreed answers to these questions, but trying to answer them will help you understand the forces that shape the world you live in, the choices that you have about how to live your life, and you will also learn how mere opinions do not make good political arguments. In the second part of the course you will deepen your understanding of the role of conflicting values in politics by working in a small group to understand how a contemporary political issue can be seen differently by different ideologies such as liberalism, conservatism and socialism. Even if you don't think of yourself as political, you will learn how you take political decisions and express political views every day. This module will allow you to understand why politics and your role in it matters. The course structure is based on whole group lectures and weekly seminars. You will study a workbook of readings and complete a range of tasks that will help you prepare for the seminars, write your essay and prepare for a small group presentation to the rest of your seminar group. You will receive guidance on how to build up a portfolio of research notes from lectures and reading and you will receive feedback on three pieces of assessed work: a book review done as a short class test (25%); a group presentation (25%) and a 1,500 word essay (50%).
PIR-10041 Introduction to International Relations EP M 7.5 15
This module is designed to provide a clear introduction to the academic study of International Relations and is useful to both beginning International Relations students and to students who would like to simply to find out what the subject is about and explore a few topics or issues in the module that particularly interest them. The module shows how the modern "society of states" came about and was affected by various factors such as nationalism and other ideologies, technology and a globalizing capitalist economy. It also gives students a basic understanding of the "traditional" perspectives in the academic discipline of International Relations and helps them to distinguish between these schools of thought. The ten topic-based lectures are accompanied by eight weekly meetings of each small seminar group. The seminar meetings fall into two kinds. In roughly half the seminars, students learn how to perform effectively in core aspects of University-level study such as: researching, planning and writing an essay; and examination preparation and technique. The other half of the tutorial meetings are devoted to discussion of the topics covered by the module, including: the evolution of the modern states system; Realist and "Idealist" perspectives on IR, violence and war; order, justice and fairness in international society; sovereignty and humanitarian intervention; and the transition from international to global society. Half way through the module, students receive a one-to-one personal meeting with their Module Tutor (lasting approximately ten minutes) in which they receive feedback on their essay plans and can discuss their progress in the module in general. Assessment format: 3-400 word essay plan (0% of the module mark, but non-submission of the essay plan will automatically trigger failure of the module); 1,000-word essay (50% of the module mark); two-hour unseen exam (50% of the module mark).
PIR-10042 Making and Shaping Foreign Policy EP C 7.5 15
This module gives a clear introduction to the study of foreign policy, which is one aspect of the academic discipline of International Relations. It is useful, therefore, for beginning students of International Relations. Yet it is also of interest to students who would simply like to find out what kinds of ideas and concepts are employed when we try to explain or evaluate the foreign policy behaviour of any country and to learn how to apply some of these to a particular country (the USA, Britain, Russia, Iran or China, for example). The 10 lectures in the module are accompanied by 10 weekly meetings of each small seminar group. Activity in the seminar groups is organised around the delivery of short oral presentations by 2-3 students each week, followed by group discussion and debate. Students thus develop the important employability skills of effective oral communication, team working and evaluating the work of one's colleagues in a constructive spirit. Students receive feedback from the Tutor (as well as from their fellow students) on their oral presentations and from the Tutor on their essay plans while the teaching is continuing. Assessment format: 0% essay plan (non-submission of the essay plan will result in failure of the module as a whole, irrespective of the marks achieved for the oral presentation and essay), 50% oral presentation; 50% essay.
PIR-10046 British Politics Since 1945 EP C 7.5 15
This module introduces students to the study of domestic and international dimensions of British politics. It presents an overview of the key debates that have shaped politics in Britain, such as the formation of the welfare state in Britain, Britain&©s post-war relationship with the United States of America, the Commonwealth and Europe, debates over Britain&©s economic decline, interpreting Thatcherism and the newness of New Labour. The module is organised into 12 lectures and 8 tutorials. Students are required to produce a literature review (30% of total module mark), and a 1,500 essay (70%).
PIR-10047 The politics of sustainability EP M 7.5 15
This module is designed to provide a clear and inspiring introduction to social scientific perspectives on environmental problems and the concept of sustainability. It is useful to both beginning Environment and Sustainability single honours students who require a solid grounding in enviromental social sciences as well as to students with a general interest in this timely and topical global issue. The module looks at the emergence of the 'environment' as an object of study, the historical processes leading to the contemporary discussion of 'sustainability' (and 'unsustainability') and the various ways in which political and social theorists, scientists, artists, fiction writers, and activists have interpreted a range of environmental problems and solutions in different contexts. Students will learn to recognise the political aspects of the environmental crisis and to understand how and why both 'environment' and 'sustainability' are essentially contested concepts. The ten topic-based lectures are complemented by ten weekly meetings of small tutorial groups. The tutorial sessions are organised by pre-assigned problem sheets that enable students to prepare to discuss and debate the academic content, as well as to practise core skills that will be required for successful University-level study -- such as paraphrasing an author's argument, using the Harvard system of referencing, attributing a concept to a specific school of thought, and constructing an effective argument. Tutorial group sessions enable students to develop the important verbal communication skills of effective question-posing and active listening. Feedback is given regularly by the tutor and by peers, in tutorials as well as in lectures. Assessment format: 35% problem sheets, 25% book review, 40% unseen exam.
Semester 2 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
PIR-10037 Introduction to Global Politics EP C 7.5 15
This module serves as an introduction to global politics. It asks students to consider their proximity to global politics. By focussing upon and understanding the role it plays, the module invites students to question how the state mediates between an individual's political outlook and events that occur in the international sphere that profoundly affect their lives. What is global and what is local - is the line that divides the two real? And what effect does it have on the way we think and act politically? The module explores how the state lays claim to being the primary actor within international politics in the fields of human rights, peace, security, culture, economics,the environment and the global commons. The module aims to help students develop their ability to critically evaluate the kinds of arguments made by academic experts and actual practitioners of global politics. The 10 lectures are accompanied by 10 one-hour tutorials in which students develop their presentational and team working skills by delivering an individual oral presentation and contributing to a group presentation to the class. Assessment format: 10% group presentation; 20% individual oral presentation; 70% essay.
PIR-10039 Debates in American Politics EP C 7.5 15
American Politics is driven by debate. Americans are divided over their foreign policy. Over social issues such as race and abortion, the U.S. has embarked upon debates so heated that they're sometimes referred to as the "culture wars". Then there are ongoing contests over areas such as education and environmental policy. This module will introduce to many of these debates. Each week, we look at a new policy area and get you to debate the rights and wrongs of current U.S. policy and where it should go next. The module also serves to introduce you to the subject of American Politics - it's all pitched at those new to the topic. Much of the module depends on your presentations, advocating one side or the other of a debate in a key policy area. Over the semester, you should learn about a series of policy debates, who's advocating what and develop your skills in presentation and argument.
PIR-10043 The Changing World: A History of International Relations since 1945 EP C 7.5 15
This module is designed to give a clear introduction to the academic study of International History within the discipline of international relations. It is useful for students of international relations, and also to students who would like to find out more about trends in world history and about key international events from the end of the second world war to the present day. The module covers the rise and fall of the Cold War, the global Cold War in Korea and Vietnam, European integration, decolonisation and nation building in Africa, the modern origins of the Arab Israeli conflict, the Yugoslavian civil wars, international terrorism and American foreign policy in the 1990s to the present. The ten topic-based lectures are accompanied by ten weekly meetings of small tutorial groups. In these tutorials, students will have the opportunity to debate key themes and questions on topics covered by the lectures. One tutorial will provide the opportunity for students to 'role play' the positions of different actors in a particular international crisis. Preparation for the tutorials is deliberately integrated into the assessment format: students will be able to use their preparatory work, and the skills developed in tutorials, in order to conduct the assessments. Students will be expected to prepare independently for seminars, but will work in small groups during the tutorials. There will also be two tutorials focused on study skills, specifically on using sources and on essay writing. The assessment for this module is 40% critique, and 60% essay. The critique is an opportunity for students to develop their skills, and to receive tutor feedback, in formulating an argument. Students will be expected to analyse one of the historical debates discussed in tutorials and to present their own argument supported by appropriate evidence. The essay will be submitted at the end of the course. Students will also have the opportunity to conduct a short referencing exercise, and to write a commentary on some of the source material discussed in the lectures. These assessments will not count towards the final mark.
PIR-10045 Justice, Authority and Power EP M 7.5 15
This module introduces students to the central debates in the history of Western political thought concerning justice and related concepts of political authority, power, liberty and the social contract. By posing critical questions concerning the nature and limits of state power, it provides a stimulating and enlightening opportunity for students in a wide range of disciplines, whether or not taking a principal degree in Politics, Philosophy and International Relations, to become familiar with the origin and development of the most influential ideas that have shaped modern states and societies. The module firstly examines core issues in classical political thought through a study of Plato and Aristotle. Their writings present controversial but significant arguments for the universality of justice, the common good and the justification of elite power. The second part focuses on modern approaches to justice that focus principally on individual liberty, the social contract and the difference between wielding power and possessing legitimate authority to rule. The theories of Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau contrast with those of the classical world, and are generally considered to have inaugurated the widespread defence of representative government and democracy around the world today. Ten lectures introduce the main concepts and thinkers covered in the module, and are accompanied by a corresponding number of weekly meetings of small one-hour tutorial groups. In these tutorials, students have the opportunity to debate specific themes and questions. Students are also asked to undertake self-assessed, summative multiple choice tests during the course of the module, and are encouraged to seek their tutors' advice with respect to any gaps in their knowledge that emerge as a result of these examinations. Students also receive prompt formative feedback on an essay-plan, which they are then asked to develop into a polished piece of written work, which is summatively assessed.
PIR-10055 Modern Democracies C M 7.5 15
This module introduces students to the comparative study of politics. The kinds of topics to be covered include: the ways in which we may study politics and evaluate democracies in a comparative fashion; different models used to compare democracies; how different modern democracies (including the UK, Germany, the USA, France and the European Union) fit into these models; the importance and the consequences of institutional structures and processes in democracies; the exporting of democratic institutions and processes. The module is organized into 10 lectures and 10 tutorials. Students are required to participate in tutorials to undertake a data analysis group exercise (10%) and an individual oral presentation (40%). They will also complete an unseen two-hour examination at the end of the semester (50%).

Politics Dual Honours - Level 2 Modules

Semester 1 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
PIR-20041 Politics - Study Abroad I EP C 7.5 15
This is a module that is automatically allocated to the records our Keele level II students who are going to Study Abroad at a partner University for a semester of their second year and cannot be selected by any other level II students.
PIR-20042 Politics - Study Abroad II EP C 7.5 15
This is a module that is automatically allocated to the records our Keele level II students who are going to Study Abroad at a partner University for a semester of their second year and cannot be selected by any other level II students.
PIR-20063 Global Political Economy EP M 7.5 15
This module provides students with a broad understanding of theoretical and empirical aspects of Global Political Economy. The objectives of the course include: i) providing students with knowledge of a range of theoretical approaches to the study of global and international political economy; ii) presenting the major political themes in the historical development of the international economy; iii) providing students with an understanding of debates about the emergence and political consequences of a globalised economy, with its patterns of inequality; iv) exploring the prospects and politics of managing the global economy; v) equipping students with the conceptual and analytical skills needed to achieve a clear understanding of contemporary global political economy. Students further develop their oral and written communication skills, as well as their ability to conduct research in the literature of the discipline. The final module mark is based upon the following: oral presentation (10%), essay 50%), exam (40%).
PIR-20064 International Relations of the Environment EP M 7.5 15
As a global society of increasingly interdependent states, the world faces numerous problems stemming from the depletion of natural resources such as fish, forests, hydrocarbons and water and the deterioration of various aspects of the natural environment. Most of these are examples of common problems (we all independently experience them to varying degrees) or also shared problems (what each of us does or doesn't do about them affects how they are experienced by others). This poses many challenges for the development of national and international policies that will effectively address the global environmental agenda. Through a detailed examination of a selection of international environmental issue areas, students are introduced to some of the key analytical themes from the academic literature on the international relations of the environment. This enables students to analyse a number of common or shared conservation and environmental protection challenges that many states and parts of the world face, and to critically evaluate the proposed solutions. The issues and themes covered in the module usually include: how issues get on the international environmental agenda; the environment in international affairs; the contribution of the discipline of IR to understanding international environmental affairs; patterns of sovereignty and jurisdiction affecting transboundary resources and pollutants; actors, factors and effectiveness in international environmental regimes; environment and security; the International Whaling Regime; The African Elephant in international trade; high seas fisheries; tropical rainforests; the ozone layer; climate change; trade and the environment. Other topics which sometimes feature in the module include: Antarctica; the deep seabed; the global trade in hazardous waste; persistent organic pollutants. There are 15 one-hour lectures. Each tutorial group meets fortnightly for a total of 5 one-hour sessions. Students work in teams to coordinate their class contributions as well as working individually on the topics which especially interest them, further developing their ability to conduct research using a variety of sources in order to analyse some of the policy problems encountered in the quest for ecologically sustainable development. The final module mark is based upon the following: short oral presentation to the class (10%); 2,000 word essay (40%); 2-hour unseen written examination (50%).
PIR-20067 Environmental Politics and Policy EP C 7.5 15
This module provides a level two introduction to some of the key historical, theoretical and practical dimensions of environmental politics and policy. In particular it aims to explore: &· The political nature of environmental problems and controversies; &· The diverse historical, political, and cultural roots of contemporary environmental problems and controversies; &· Connections between local and global environmental issues; &· Challenges posed by environmental issues to political institutions; &· Power relationships between developed and developing countries, and between social groups within political communities; and the various strategies and tactics used to bring about environmental change, such as government policy-making and regulation, corporate environmental responsibility,and social movement activism. Emphasis is placed on the complexity of contemporary environmental issues and controversies, and on developing the skills necessary to analyse them critically, and thus respond to them effectively. The module enables students to develop their argumentation and communication skills. Students will be assessed on a portfolio of 5 short pieces of writing designed to develop argumentation skills (50%), a mid-term class test (formative) and a research essay (50%).
PIR-20069 Approaches to Political Analysis C C 7.5 15
How should you analyse politics? This question can prove highly controversial. Politics is a broad discipline that encompasses many different ways of researching that include different methods, different ways of measuring things, different definitions of what constitutes $ùevidence&©, and even different conceptions of how we 'know what we know' in politics. This course will familiarise you with these debates and give you an introduction to the different approaches you may encounter. It provides an excellent preparation for planning for your dissertation in the third year. The module takes a hands on approach to these debates, and will get you to try out different forms of analysis on a series of actual cases that you will recognise from the news. These cases include such topics as how to analyse a political film and why people are turned off politics.
PIR-20070 The UN in world politics EP M 7.5 15
The United Nations has shaped international relations in multiple, complex and significant ways, but has not had the kind of impact for which many people hoped. Students taking this course will be able to explain why. They will analyse the interplay between world politics and international organisation by reference to the background to the creation of the United Nations; the lessons learned from the failure (and successes) of the UN's predecessor, the League of Nations; the policies of member states; and the international environment. Students will have the opportunity to work in teams as well as study topics that particulary interest them. In so doing they will further develop their ability to conduct research using a variety of sources to analyse the role of the UN in world politics. Assessment will be by means of one 2,000-word essay (50 per cent) and one two-hour unseen examination (50 per cent).
PIR-20071 U.S Government and Politics EP M 7.5 15
Through a detailed examination and analysis of the US governmental institutions, political parties, voting behaviour, interest groups, and public opinion, students will gain an understanding how the mass public can influence the making of public policy. This approach will enable students to identify, research, analyse and comment on the key issues facing the US political system developing their understanding of the interactivity of its component parts. An analysis of the literature will introduce students to the different conceptual frameworks and methodologies that have been adopted by leading US political scientists providing an intellectually rigorous training for the further study of the US political system. Students will also have the opportunity to work on topics which interest them for their written work, further developing their ability to conduct research using a variety of souces in a multi-media context in order to analyse some of the major challenges facing US political institutions and political society. The final module mark is based upon a 3 x 1000-word portfolios (60%) and a 2 hour written examination (40%).
PIR-20076 Contemporary International Relations Theory EP C 7.5 15
This module provides students with a broad theoretical understanding of the main areas of study in International Relations. It introduces students to the most influential ideas and writings in the field of IR. Through the in-depth analysis of leading scholars it analyses the methods that underpin contemporary interpretations of international relations. It enables students themselves to critique the various theoretical approaches involved with researching and writing about international relations. Throughout the module, there is a strong emphasis on applying the concepts and problems of IR theory to contemporary events. The 15 one-hour lectures explain the various approaches to interpreting IR. The 7 one-hour meetings of each tutorial group compare how particular themes in international relations are addressed by authors from different schools of thought, employing small-group work and plenary discussion amongst the whole class.
PIR-20078 Russian Politics and Society EP M 7.5 15
The theme of this module is the most important political experiment of the twentieth century - the attempt to build communism in Russia. We look at: * the ideological, cultural and political origins of communism * the political, economic and social systems created under Lenin and Stalin * the gradual decline of the Soviet system under Stalin's successors * the causes of the collapse of Soviet communism in the Gorbachev period * communism's legacy and the postcommunist Russian political system * prospects for democracy in contemporary Russia The module will consist of 12 lectures and 8 x 1 hour tutorials. Assessment is via a portfolio of 5 short blogs on tutorial content (total 3000 words) and a final seen examination, which will address the 'big' questions raised by the module content: what was communism's appeal, what were the structural problems of the Soviet system, why did this system eventually collapse, what is its legacy, and where is Russia heading in the current period. Indicative reading: Robert Service: A History of Modern Russia (2003); Edwin Bacon with Matthew Wyman, Contemporary Russia (2005); Stephen White et al, Developments in Russian Politics 7 (2009)
Semester 2 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
PIR-20046 Politics - Study Abroad V EP C 7.5 15
This is a module that is automatically allocated to the records our Keele level II students who are going to Study Abroad at a partner University for a semester of their second year and cannot be selected by any other level II students.
PIR-20047 Politics - Study Abroad VI EP C 7.5 15
This is a module that is automatically allocated to the records our Keele level II students who are going to Study Abroad at a partner University for a semester of their second year and cannot be selected by any other level II students.
PIR-20061 Peace, Conflict and Security: Theories and Practice EP M 7.5 15
This module introduces students to the problem of security as it is addressed in the academic discipline of International Relations and as it is understood by practicioners of international politics at the level of governments and other kinds of actors in world politics. The study of security is still the single most influential sub-discipline within International Relations and the search for security in its various forms is at the heart of many activities and policies at the international level. Through this module students become familiar with the key conceptual debates in the literature on international security and come to appreciate the implications of these debates for events in the real world of international politics. They develop the ability to apply a range of relevant ideas about the nature of conflict and conflict resolution to gain a critical understanding of how security questions develop and how the security agenda is shaped, looking especially at the elements of continuity and change in the security agenda since the Cold War began to wane in the mid-1980s through to the 2010s. In addition to learning how to analyse key aspects of the security problematique - a set of problems, concepts, and theoretical debates that still lie near the heart of the discipline of International Relations - students refine their ability to conduct independent research, to evaluate and employ abstract concepts and theories in making sense of and evaluating potential solutions to real-world problems, and effectively to communicate complex arguments supported by appropriate evidence. The final module mark is based upon the following: 750-word annotated bibliography (15%); 2,000 word essay (45%); 2-hour unseen written exam (40%).
PIR-20062 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OF EURASIA: Challenges of Globalisation and Geopolitics EP C 7.5 15
Eurasia, the vast lands between China and Germany, has emerged as the world's axial super-continent, which is now serving as the decisive geopolitical chessboard, both for political/military and economic reasons. Eurasia accounts for 75 percent of the world's population, 60 percent of its GNP, and 75 percent of its energy resources. Collectively, Eurasia's power overshadows even America's. The geopolitics of the region is therefore a significant matter. On a lighter note, it is even the setting and plot device for one of the latest James Bond movies. This module looks at the struggle between the processes of globalisation and geopolitical forces since the end of the Second World War. One of the most significant characteristics of the Eurasian heartland is its central location in relation to the major sedentary civilisations of the past and present. Over the centuries, these lands have come under the sway of several great world-historical civilisations and empires: the Eastern Roman or Byzantine, Mongolian, Ottoman, Holy Roman, Austro-Hungarian, Russian, and Soviet. These lands have felt the influence of Orthodox Christianity, Catholicism, Protestanism, Judaism, Islam, and world communism. At the intersection of many powerful global forces, these lands have experienced with particular sharpness what is called &«modernisation&ª and its challenge to customary ways of life. In addition, the collapse of Soviet domination and communist regimes across this region has dramatically increased its importance for the global economy. The Eurasian heartland, which has for a number of years been in the process of becoming a region of major strategic importance, has often been treated as peripheral to other fields of study such as study of Russia or China. Perhaps more than any other region of the world, the Eurasian heartland has become an avenue of the much-mentioned condition of multipolarity in world affairs. Students conduct independent research on a research question that they have individually identified. The final module mark is based upon the following: tutorial performance (15%); a Short Paper of 1,000 words planning out the research project (25%); and a 3,000-word Research Paper (60%).
PIR-20065 The Practice of Politics EP C 7.5 15
This module involves exploration of a number of interrelated personal and political questions. Through engaging with the module fully, you will, by the end of it, have clearer answers to at least some of the following questions: Personal Development - What am I good at? - What do I enjoy doing? - What are my motivations? - What are my priorities? - How can I become more effective? Future Careers - What is it like to work in various different kinds of political career? - How do careers develop? - What kind of work do I want? - What do I need to do in order to get the kind of work I want? Political Action - How can I communicate about politics more effectively? - How can I influence others? - How can I improve my $ùpeople&© skills? - How can I be an effective leader? Political Communication and Leadership - When are political leaders effective? - When do campaigns succeed? - What are the features of effective public speaking in a variety of contexts? The module will be taught in 12 x 2-hour workshops which will consist of a combination of instruction, small and large group discussion and practical exercises. Rather than prior reading the focus will be on practical activities in the workshop and afterwards. Participants will also be given the opportunity to practice public speaking and media and interview skills as part of a presentation day. Assessment will be through a research report which involves either a study of an individual political leader, a policy brief on a current controversy, or an analysis of great political speeches (worth 50% of marks), and a portfolio including a number of reflections on individual skill areas, as well as a number of documents relating to the process of career management and development (50%).
PIR-20066 Freedom and Equality O M 7.5 15
This module provides an introduction to two of the most widely debated concepts in contemporary political theory. Freedom and equality are amongst the central values of modern political life, and inform many campaigns for justice around the world today. The module focuses on current thinking about the meaning, justification and political application of these concepts. Through examining the ideas of leading contemporary political theorists and philosophers, students gain a better understanding of two of the most interesting and important concepts in contemporary political thought and practice. The module firstly examines Isaiah Berlin's famous distinction between 'negative' and 'positive' freedom. We ask whether justice involves ensuring citizens' freedom from physical harm or other forms of danger; or whether freedom is a matter of achieving goals that one sets for oneself - i.e., autonomy. The distinction between 'positive' and 'negative' freedom is applied to the topical debate about free speech in liberal societies. The second part of the module focuses on equality. Why is equality valuable? Is it more valuable than freedom? Should egalitarians be committed to securing equal opportunities or equal outcomes? Pressing issues of equality between present and future generations and between different nations are also considered. Fifteen lectures introduce the main concepts and thinkers covered in the module, and are accompanied by seven meetings of small one-hour tutorial groups. In the tutorials students have an opportunity to engage in structured discussions about particular themes and questions. The assessment for this course comprises an essay plan, to be written in the middle of the semester, followed by an essay and unseen examination at the end of the course.
PIR-20066 Freedom and Equality EP M 7.5 15
This module provides an introduction to two of the most widely debated concepts in contemporary political theory. Freedom and equality are amongst the central values of modern political life, and inform many campaigns for justice around the world today. The module focuses on current thinking about the meaning, justification and political application of these concepts. Through examining the ideas of leading contemporary political theorists and philosophers, students gain a better understanding of two of the most interesting and important concepts in contemporary political thought and practice. The module firstly examines Isaiah Berlin's famous distinction between 'negative' and 'positive' freedom. We ask whether justice involves ensuring citizens' freedom from physical harm or other forms of danger; or whether freedom is a matter of achieving goals that one sets for oneself - i.e., autonomy. The distinction between 'positive' and 'negative' freedom is applied to the topical debate about free speech in liberal societies. The second part of the module focuses on equality. Why is equality valuable? Is it more valuable than freedom? Should egalitarians be committed to securing equal opportunities or equal outcomes? Pressing issues of equality between present and future generations and between different nations are also considered. Fifteen lectures introduce the main concepts and thinkers covered in the module, and are accompanied by seven meetings of small one-hour tutorial groups. In the tutorials students have an opportunity to engage in structured discussions about particular themes and questions. The assessment for this course comprises an essay plan, to be written in the middle of the semester, followed by an essay and unseen examination at the end of the course.
PIR-20068 Why Policy Changes O C 7.5 15
Why do some policies change while others stay the same? Ultimately, most politics is about what governments do, or don't do. While many scholars of politics work in specific fields (e.g. legislatures, transport policy), those working in the field of public policy try to explain the whole: how does the system fit together to produce change or continuity in the way the government acts? That questions raises further issues: how do agendas work?, how do people in a policy area work together or compete with one another?, how does policy reflect people's political interests? This module introduces you to the work and methods of these scholars. There are three assessments for the module: two short written pieces which ask you to consider two particular areas of public policy scholarship (each of 1200 words and each worth 25% of your final module mark) and a policy analysis essay examining a policy area of your choice (2000 words, worth 50% of your final module mark). So, if you've ever wondered about questions of policy, such as why the trains don't run on time, or why you're paying fees to study at university, this module might help you understand.
PIR-20068 Why Policy Changes EP C 7.5 15
Why do some policies change while others stay the same? Ultimately, most politics is about what governments do, or don't do. While many scholars of politics work in specific fields (e.g. legislatures, transport policy), those working in the field of public policy try to explain the whole: how does the system fit together to produce change or continuity in the way the government acts? That questions raises further issues: how do agendas work?, how do people in a policy area work together or compete with one another?, how does policy reflect people's political interests? This module introduces you to the work and methods of these scholars. There are three assessments for the module: two short written pieces which ask you to consider two particular areas of public policy scholarship (each of 1200 words and each worth 25% of your final module mark) and a policy analysis essay examining a policy area of your choice (2000 words, worth 50% of your final module mark). So, if you've ever wondered about questions of policy, such as why the trains don't run on time, or why you're paying fees to study at university, this module might help you understand.
PIR-20073 European Union: Institutions and Policies EP M 7.5 15
This module introduces students to the study of European integration and its historical setting, then proceeds to describe and analyse the workings of its main institutions and selected policies. The institutions covered are the Commission, Council of Ministers, the European Parliament and the Court of Justice. Issues discussed include 'how democratic is the EU', 'how does the EU change the domestic politics of its members', 'is the EU a global power?, and finally 'what is the effect of new countries joining the EU'. The assessment for this module is based on: one 2,000-word essay (50%), and one 2-hour unseen written examination (50%).
PIR-20074 British Government and Politics EP M 7.5 15
This module seeks to offer an in-depth analysis of the British system of government and its politics more broadly, including the constitution; the government; Parliament; parties and the party system; elections and voting; the role of interest groups; policies; constitutional reform; and the impact of the European Union. The final module mark is based upon the following: 2,000 word essay (50%); a 2-hour unseen written exam (50%).
PIR-20077 Comparative Political Analysis O M 7.5 15
Comparative Politics is an important sub-field of Political Science that has been around since at least the time of Aristotle. Its prime concern is not with questions of how politics ought to be conducted, but with how it operates in the real world. It thus focuses on questions such as $ùwhat shapes the distribution and effectiveness of political participation?&©; $ùwhy do people vote the way they do?&©; $ùwhat are the effects of electoral systems?&©, $ùhow do political parties organise and compete?; $ùwhy do political executives dominate the legislature in some countries and not in others?&©; $ùcan we predict which coalitions will form and what factors are most likely to cause them to collapse?&© and $ùwhat is the most efficient way of distributing political power between the various territorial units of a state?&© In addressing such questions, this module will help you appreciate not only the variety of political institutions, processes and behaviour that exist in the modern world, but also the peculiarities, strengths and weaknesses of your own political system. Last but not least, it will provide a critical introduction to the language and methods of Comparative Politics. The module is assessed through a group presentation (30%) and unseen examination (70%).
PIR-20077 Comparative Political Analysis EP M 7.5 15
Comparative Politics is an important sub-field of Political Science that has been around since at least the time of Aristotle. Its prime concern is not with questions of how politics ought to be conducted, but with how it operates in the real world. It thus focuses on questions such as $ùwhat shapes the distribution and effectiveness of political participation?&©; $ùwhy do people vote the way they do?&©; $ùwhat are the effects of electoral systems?&©, $ùhow do political parties organise and compete?; $ùwhy do political executives dominate the legislature in some countries and not in others?&©; $ùcan we predict which coalitions will form and what factors are most likely to cause them to collapse?&© and $ùwhat is the most efficient way of distributing political power between the various territorial units of a state?&© In addressing such questions, this module will help you appreciate not only the variety of political institutions, processes and behaviour that exist in the modern world, but also the peculiarities, strengths and weaknesses of your own political system. Last but not least, it will provide a critical introduction to the language and methods of Comparative Politics. The module is assessed through a group presentation (30%) and unseen examination (70%).

Politics Dual Honours - Level 3 Modules

Semester 1 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
+ PIR-30094 The Global South O M 7.5 15
Module Aims: a. To investigate The Global South from international relations and political science perspectives; b. To communicate regional understandings of the Indian Ocean and the Asia-Pacific; c. To review and analyse the growing literature on justice, sovereignty, environment and security in the Global South; d. To critically evaluate both theoretical and empirical writings which pertain to concepts of a North-South dichotomy; e. To investigate current literature on the central dimensions of critical geo-politics; f. To cultivate the critical skills needed to analyse the impacts of globalisation on majority worlds; g. To enable students to gain experience of individual research by gathering, organising, and deploying information (from primary and secondary sources), and by identifying, analysing and advocating potential solutions to problems h. To enable students to improve their oral presentation shills and to gain experience of participating in and facilitating group discussion. i. To communicate current debates and areas of new research in relation to major, contemporary issues pertaining to the Global South.
+ PIR-30094 The Global South EP M 7.5 15
Module Aims: a. To investigate The Global South from international relations and political science perspectives; b. To communicate regional understandings of the Indian Ocean and the Asia-Pacific; c. To review and analyse the growing literature on justice, sovereignty, environment and security in the Global South; d. To critically evaluate both theoretical and empirical writings which pertain to concepts of a North-South dichotomy; e. To investigate current literature on the central dimensions of critical geo-politics; f. To cultivate the critical skills needed to analyse the impacts of globalisation on majority worlds; g. To enable students to gain experience of individual research by gathering, organising, and deploying information (from primary and secondary sources), and by identifying, analysing and advocating potential solutions to problems h. To enable students to improve their oral presentation shills and to gain experience of participating in and facilitating group discussion. i. To communicate current debates and areas of new research in relation to major, contemporary issues pertaining to the Global South.
PIR-30108 Proliferation O M 7.5 15
The aims of this module are to: (1) enable students to develop an informed understanding of the changing agenda of arms control in the post Cold War era and of the policy conflicts encountered in shaping the agenda of weapons proliferation control; (2) enable students to identify the political, technological, economic and moral factors that affect the formation, evolution and effectiveness of formal and informal multilateral and global regimes relevant to proliferation control Students will learn about the various factors affecting the agenda, modalities and outcomes of international proliferation control efforts, through conducting in-depth evaluations of the development, implementation and effectiveness of proliferation control policies in specific issue-areas. How does the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty work? What improvements need to be made to it? Why do some countries abandon weapons of mass destruction programmes while others try to develop or acquire such weapons? What can the international community do to persuade "threshold states" not to become nuclear weapons powers? Do "carrots" work better than "sticks?" What factors affect the likely effectiveness of efforts to coordinate export control policies covering conventional and non-conventional weapons and related technologies? Should bullets, mines and cluster bombs be as important as nuclear, chemical and biological weapons on the proliferation agenda of states, international organisations and the campaigning groups to be found in civil society? Are different dynamics at play when the agenda shifts to the humanitarian or human security level as distinct from the security of states? Students will develop their communication, team-working and leadership skills through giving presentations as part of a team in charge of leading their seminar group on two occasions, as well as refining their analytical and other intellectual skills. The assessment format is: two individual oral presentations as part of your student team (10% of the module mark, in total); 2500 word essay (40% of the module mark); 2-hour unseen exam (50% of the module mark).
PIR-30108 Proliferation EP M 7.5 15
The aims of this module are to: (1) enable students to develop an informed understanding of the changing agenda of arms control in the post Cold War era and of the policy conflicts encountered in shaping the agenda of weapons proliferation control; (2) enable students to identify the political, technological, economic and moral factors that affect the formation, evolution and effectiveness of formal and informal multilateral and global regimes relevant to proliferation control Students will learn about the various factors affecting the agenda, modalities and outcomes of international proliferation control efforts, through conducting in-depth evaluations of the development, implementation and effectiveness of proliferation control policies in specific issue-areas. How does the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty work? What improvements need to be made to it? Why do some countries abandon weapons of mass destruction programmes while others try to develop or acquire such weapons? What can the international community do to persuade "threshold states" not to become nuclear weapons powers? Do "carrots" work better than "sticks?" What factors affect the likely effectiveness of efforts to coordinate export control policies covering conventional and non-conventional weapons and related technologies? Should bullets, mines and cluster bombs be as important as nuclear, chemical and biological weapons on the proliferation agenda of states, international organisations and the campaigning groups to be found in civil society? Are different dynamics at play when the agenda shifts to the humanitarian or human security level as distinct from the security of states? Students will develop their communication, team-working and leadership skills through giving presentations as part of a team in charge of leading their seminar group on two occasions, as well as refining their analytical and other intellectual skills. The assessment format is: two individual oral presentations as part of your student team (10% of the module mark, in total); 2500 word essay (40% of the module mark); 2-hour unseen exam (50% of the module mark).
PIR-30109 Politics and International Relations of the Middle East l O M 7.5 15
This module aims to acquaint students with the domestic politics, foreign policies, and international relations of the Middle East region, stretching from Morocco in the West to Iran in the east. Students will be encouraged to develop a critical awareness of the historical, social, political and geopolitical transformations of Middle Eastern states by (a) acquiring knowledge of important actors and events in the region, and by (b) developing a critical understanding of the key scholarly and popular debates about domestic and international politics of regional states. Material covered will include the historical formation of the state system in the Middle East region, the role of collective identities and political ideologies in the politics of the region, the Cold War period and its impact on Middle East politics, Civil Wars in the Middle East and North Africa, the Arab-Israeli Wars, the Palestinians and the Peace Process, Iraq's Wars and Reconstruction, and American Middle East policy.
PIR-30109 Politics and International Relations of the Middle East l EP M 7.5 15
This module aims to acquaint students with the domestic politics, foreign policies, and international relations of the Middle East region, stretching from Morocco in the West to Iran in the east. Students will be encouraged to develop a critical awareness of the historical, social, political and geopolitical transformations of Middle Eastern states by (a) acquiring knowledge of important actors and events in the region, and by (b) developing a critical understanding of the key scholarly and popular debates about domestic and international politics of regional states. Material covered will include the historical formation of the state system in the Middle East region, the role of collective identities and political ideologies in the politics of the region, the Cold War period and its impact on Middle East politics, Civil Wars in the Middle East and North Africa, the Arab-Israeli Wars, the Palestinians and the Peace Process, Iraq's Wars and Reconstruction, and American Middle East policy.
PIR-30115 End of Empire O M 7.5 15
The dismantling of European overseas empires transformed the international scene, and its consequences continue to reverberate in international relations. For Britain in particular, with which this course is solely concerned, the end of empire was part and parcel of her rapid downhill decline. The course explores the factors which led to Britain&©s imperial decline; takes as its chronological starting point the shattering fall of Singapore in 1942; uses case studies to analyse how Britain sought to manage imperial decline and the process by which she transferred power; ends in the early 1960s when Britain applied to join the EEC and full-scale decolonization was under way. The course will not only consider how these developments took place, but will also seek to relate them to wider international issues and our overall understanding of international relations.
PIR-30115 End of Empire EP M 7.5 15
The dismantling of European overseas empires transformed the international scene, and its consequences continue to reverberate in international relations. For Britain in particular, with which this course is solely concerned, the end of empire was part and parcel of her rapid downhill decline. The course explores the factors which led to Britain&©s imperial decline; takes as its chronological starting point the shattering fall of Singapore in 1942; uses case studies to analyse how Britain sought to manage imperial decline and the process by which she transferred power; ends in the early 1960s when Britain applied to join the EEC and full-scale decolonization was under way. The course will not only consider how these developments took place, but will also seek to relate them to wider international issues and our overall understanding of international relations.
PIR-30117 The U.S. Presidency O M 7.5 15
The high profile of the U.S. presidency is undeniable. Whether occupied by a Bush or an Obama, the office is also perceived as one of the most powerful institutions in the world. Yet, in a political system designed around a separation of powers, the capacity to lead is not guaranteed. This module allows you to consider the different techniques presidents use to lead and whether those techniques work. The module is taught in two-hour seminars and is assessed by a three-section portfolio (60%) and examination (40%). The portfolio is an opportunity for you to examine presidential leadership in a series of policy areas of your choice, while the examination asks you to consider the strengths and weaknesses of scholarship on the presidency.
PIR-30117 The U.S. Presidency EP M 7.5 15
The high profile of the U.S. presidency is undeniable. Whether occupied by a Bush or an Obama, the office is also perceived as one of the most powerful institutions in the world. Yet, in a political system designed around a separation of powers, the capacity to lead is not guaranteed. This module allows you to consider the different techniques presidents use to lead and whether those techniques work. The module is taught in two-hour seminars and is assessed by a three-section portfolio (60%) and examination (40%). The portfolio is an opportunity for you to examine presidential leadership in a series of policy areas of your choice, while the examination asks you to consider the strengths and weaknesses of scholarship on the presidency.
PIR-30119 The Extreme Right in Western Europe O M 7.5 15
Right-wing extremist parties have experienced success in elections in a number of countries in Western Europe over the last two or three decades. This phenomenon has attracted widespread attention, both in the media and in academic circles, sparking a number of frequently asked questions: why have these parties suddenly become electorally successful? What exactly do they stand for? What kind of people vote for them? Why do people vote for them? Why have they experienced more success in some countries than in others? Should we be worried about their rise? And what can we, or mainstream political parties, do to counter their rise? This module aims to examine all these questions. It begins by introducing students to the theoretical perspectives and key bodies of literature on the nature of right wing extremism in contemporary Western Europe, and it explores the complex conceptual, analytical and terminological debates surrounding this subject of enquiry. It then engages in empirical investigations into the the ideology and the electoral base of different right-wing extremist parties across Western Europe and, in so doing, it also examines the question of why some right-wing extremist parties have been electorally more successful than others. It finishes by exploring the impact that right-wing extremist parties have had on public debate, policy-making and party competition over the last 30 years and by considering how mainstream parties have attempted to counter the rise and growing influence of the parties of the extreme right. The module is delivered in weekly two-hour seminars. Assessment is based on the following: 0% group presentation; 50% 2,500 word essay; 50% 2-hour unseen examination
PIR-30119 The Extreme Right in Western Europe EP M 7.5 15
Right-wing extremist parties have experienced success in elections in a number of countries in Western Europe over the last two or three decades. This phenomenon has attracted widespread attention, both in the media and in academic circles, sparking a number of frequently asked questions: why have these parties suddenly become electorally successful? What exactly do they stand for? What kind of people vote for them? Why do people vote for them? Why have they experienced more success in some countries than in others? Should we be worried about their rise? And what can we, or mainstream political parties, do to counter their rise? This module aims to examine all these questions. It begins by introducing students to the theoretical perspectives and key bodies of literature on the nature of right wing extremism in contemporary Western Europe, and it explores the complex conceptual, analytical and terminological debates surrounding this subject of enquiry. It then engages in empirical investigations into the the ideology and the electoral base of different right-wing extremist parties across Western Europe and, in so doing, it also examines the question of why some right-wing extremist parties have been electorally more successful than others. It finishes by exploring the impact that right-wing extremist parties have had on public debate, policy-making and party competition over the last 30 years and by considering how mainstream parties have attempted to counter the rise and growing influence of the parties of the extreme right. The module is delivered in weekly two-hour seminars. Assessment is based on the following: 0% group presentation; 50% 2,500 word essay; 50% 2-hour unseen examination
PIR-30123 Individual and Community O C 7.5 15
This module aims to introduce students to cutting-edge work in contemporary political philosophy. It does this by focusing on an in depth examination of two major works by outstanding political philosophers: John Rawls, 'A Theory of Justice' and Robert Nozick, 'Anarchy, State and Utopia'. In addition to increasing their knowledge of contemporary political philosophy, the module will develop students' powers of comprehension, analysis, criticism and argument. It is assessed by two 2,500 word essays. The module is taught through a weekly two hour seminar in which students spend most of their time working together in small groups. The module will particularly enhance students' written communication skills and their ability to think and argue clearly and effectively.
PIR-30123 Individual and Community EP C 7.5 15
This module aims to introduce students to cutting-edge work in contemporary political philosophy. It does this by focusing on an in depth examination of two major works by outstanding political philosophers: John Rawls, 'A Theory of Justice' and Robert Nozick, 'Anarchy, State and Utopia'. In addition to increasing their knowledge of contemporary political philosophy, the module will develop students' powers of comprehension, analysis, criticism and argument. It is assessed by two 2,500 word essays. The module is taught through a weekly two hour seminar in which students spend most of their time working together in small groups. The module will particularly enhance students' written communication skills and their ability to think and argue clearly and effectively.
PIR-30125 America and Europe: The Transatlantic Relationship EP M 7.5 15
Since the end of the Cold War, many commentators in Europe see the United States growing apart from its democratic neighbours and allies. At the same time, many in America see Europe - or certain European countries - as too 'soft' to face up to the challenges of the 21st century, especially as regard security issues. Why has this happened? The answers to this question are found in the various trends that shape advanced democratic states, rather than the current policies of particular governments. This module examines the evolution of different social, political and economic forces shaping Europe and America. It addresses whether the 'West' or the 'Atlantic Community'will continue to remain a coherent entity in the 21st century. The module unites international relations scholarship with comparative politics literature, thereby complementing the International Relations and the Politics programmes of SPIRE.
PIR-30125 America and Europe: The Transatlantic Relationship O M 7.5 15
Since the end of the Cold War, many commentators in Europe see the United States growing apart from its democratic neighbours and allies. At the same time, many in America see Europe - or certain European countries - as too 'soft' to face up to the challenges of the 21st century, especially as regard security issues. Why has this happened? The answers to this question are found in the various trends that shape advanced democratic states, rather than the current policies of particular governments. This module examines the evolution of different social, political and economic forces shaping Europe and America. It addresses whether the 'West' or the 'Atlantic Community'will continue to remain a coherent entity in the 21st century. The module unites international relations scholarship with comparative politics literature, thereby complementing the International Relations and the Politics programmes of SPIRE.
PIR-30133 Political Parties: Origins &Organization EP M 7.5 15
In 1942, Schattschneider argued that 'modern democracy is unthinkable save in terms of political parties'. Though they are the targets of at times severe criticism, especially in the media, political parties remain key actors in the theory and practice of contemporary democracy. This helps explain why political science has long been interested in why political parties come to be formed and how they organise themselves. This thematically structured module focuses on political parties in western Europe. It will commence with a consideration of the nature and origins of parties, as well as their role in modern democracy. Its prime concern will be on parties as organizations. This will involve a discussion of the various types of party organization that have been identified in the literature, as well as of issues related to parties&© internal life. The types of questions that will be addressed include the internal distribution of power; the size and compositon of party membership; rank-and-file participation in parties and how and why parties choose to adapt their organizations. Students are encouraged to take the linked module entitled 'Party Systems and Elections' (PIR-30132), but are not obliged to do so, as each module is self-contained.
PIR-30133 Political Parties: Origins &Organization O M 7.5 15
In 1942, Schattschneider argued that 'modern democracy is unthinkable save in terms of political parties'. Though they are the targets of at times severe criticism, especially in the media, political parties remain key actors in the theory and practice of contemporary democracy. This helps explain why political science has long been interested in why political parties come to be formed and how they organise themselves. This thematically structured module focuses on political parties in western Europe. It will commence with a consideration of the nature and origins of parties, as well as their role in modern democracy. Its prime concern will be on parties as organizations. This will involve a discussion of the various types of party organization that have been identified in the literature, as well as of issues related to parties&© internal life. The types of questions that will be addressed include the internal distribution of power; the size and compositon of party membership; rank-and-file participation in parties and how and why parties choose to adapt their organizations. Students are encouraged to take the linked module entitled 'Party Systems and Elections' (PIR-30132), but are not obliged to do so, as each module is self-contained.
PIR-30135 Regime Change in the Balkans O M 7.5 15
Regime change in the Balkans is perceived as unfinished and problematic more than two decades after the collapse of communism. This module will introduce students to the communist and post-communist politics of Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, and the republics and regions of former Yugoslavia, within the context of change in the wider Balkans and Eastern Europe. The main themes covered by the course are: images of Balkan underdevelopment; the legacies of Sovietisation and national communism; transitions and modernisation in the new Balkan democracies; national, ethnic and religious problems; federalism, separatism and secession; the Yugoslav crisis zone; the place of the Balkans in European integration. The module consists of ten 2-hour seminars. The final module mark is based on: workbook/portfolio of weekly tasks (50%); 2-hour unseen written exam (50%).
PIR-30135 Regime Change in the Balkans EP M 7.5 15
Regime change in the Balkans is perceived as unfinished and problematic more than two decades after the collapse of communism. This module will introduce students to the communist and post-communist politics of Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, and the republics and regions of former Yugoslavia, within the context of change in the wider Balkans and Eastern Europe. The main themes covered by the course are: images of Balkan underdevelopment; the legacies of Sovietisation and national communism; transitions and modernisation in the new Balkan democracies; national, ethnic and religious problems; federalism, separatism and secession; the Yugoslav crisis zone; the place of the Balkans in European integration. The module consists of ten 2-hour seminars. The final module mark is based on: workbook/portfolio of weekly tasks (50%); 2-hour unseen written exam (50%).
Semester 1-2 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
PIR-30130 Dissertation in Politics and IR - ISP O C 15 30
Researching and writing a dissertation in Politics and/or International Relations during the final year of the undergraduate degree provides an opportunity for students to examine and investigate a specific topic, question or issue of their own choosing, in considerable depth. In addition, completing a dissertation enables students to develop critical transferable and employability skills, including key research skills, problem solving skills, information handling skills, and written communication skills. Students who have successfully completed a dissertation also demonstrate a clear ability to work independently and autonomously and to plan their activities and manage their time. This module provides the guidance students require to successfully undertake and complete a Level 3 dissertation in Politics and International Relations. It develops students&© knowledge of how research in the social sciences is planned, conducted and reported and it acquaints students with various forms of data, data collecting techniques, and types of analysis used in social science research. In addition, it develops and enhances students&© own research skills, including their ability to identify a dissertation topic and to formulate appropriate research questions; to identify, access and collate literature relevant to their dissertation; to apply existing or develop their own theoretical and conceptual frameworks; to identify and collect appropriate evidence/data; and to apply critical skills to formulate arguments, analyse evidence and reach conclusions so as to persuasively answer their research question. The module also develops students' ability to plan, structure and complete a more substantial piece of written work than is required for traditional 15 credit curriculum-based modules, and to conduct research independently and autonomously. The module is a 30 credit module and runs over both semesters. In the first semester, students attend ten 1-hour classes that focus on the different stages of the research process. Regular meetings between students and supervisor take place throughout both semesters. Assessment is based on a 1,500 word portfolio (submitted towards the end of Semester 1) which counts for 20% of the module mark, and a 8,500 word dissertation (submitted towards the end of Semester 2) which counts for the remaining 80% of the module mark.
PIR-30130 Dissertation in Politics and IR - ISP EP C 15 30
Researching and writing a dissertation in Politics and/or International Relations during the final year of the undergraduate degree provides an opportunity for students to examine and investigate a specific topic, question or issue of their own choosing, in considerable depth. In addition, completing a dissertation enables students to develop critical transferable and employability skills, including key research skills, problem solving skills, information handling skills, and written communication skills. Students who have successfully completed a dissertation also demonstrate a clear ability to work independently and autonomously and to plan their activities and manage their time. This module provides the guidance students require to successfully undertake and complete a Level 3 dissertation in Politics and International Relations. It develops students&© knowledge of how research in the social sciences is planned, conducted and reported and it acquaints students with various forms of data, data collecting techniques, and types of analysis used in social science research. In addition, it develops and enhances students&© own research skills, including their ability to identify a dissertation topic and to formulate appropriate research questions; to identify, access and collate literature relevant to their dissertation; to apply existing or develop their own theoretical and conceptual frameworks; to identify and collect appropriate evidence/data; and to apply critical skills to formulate arguments, analyse evidence and reach conclusions so as to persuasively answer their research question. The module also develops students' ability to plan, structure and complete a more substantial piece of written work than is required for traditional 15 credit curriculum-based modules, and to conduct research independently and autonomously. The module is a 30 credit module and runs over both semesters. In the first semester, students attend ten 1-hour classes that focus on the different stages of the research process. Regular meetings between students and supervisor take place throughout both semesters. Assessment is based on a 1,500 word portfolio (submitted towards the end of Semester 1) which counts for 20% of the module mark, and a 8,500 word dissertation (submitted towards the end of Semester 2) which counts for the remaining 80% of the module mark.
Semester 2 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
PIR-30110 Politics and International Relations of the Middle East ll O M 7.5 15
The present module aims to further develop an understanding, increasingly comprehensive and critical, of the policy and scholarly debates about the political actors, ideologies, and processes that shape politics and international relations of the contemporary Middle East. Students will be expected to evaluate and situate ideas (including their own) into these debates and present coherent and well-studied arguments in seminars as well as in assignments. Seminar topics will include: The political challenges of the non-Arab Middle East (Turkey, Israel, and Iran); ethnic and religious minorities in the Middle East; religious revivalism and identity politics; democratization and political reform; and gender and human rights in the region.
PIR-30110 Politics and International Relations of the Middle East ll EP M 7.5 15
The present module aims to further develop an understanding, increasingly comprehensive and critical, of the policy and scholarly debates about the political actors, ideologies, and processes that shape politics and international relations of the contemporary Middle East. Students will be expected to evaluate and situate ideas (including their own) into these debates and present coherent and well-studied arguments in seminars as well as in assignments. Seminar topics will include: The political challenges of the non-Arab Middle East (Turkey, Israel, and Iran); ethnic and religious minorities in the Middle East; religious revivalism and identity politics; democratization and political reform; and gender and human rights in the region.
PIR-30112 The Northern Dimension: Resources, Environment and Security in the Arctic O C 7.5 15
Drowning polar bears, crumbling shores on melting seas, resource races towards the North Pole and sovereignty disputes in the high Arctic - this is the stuff of current media content concerning the circumpolar North, the Arctic once sublime! The Arctic certainly is changing. Its resources, environment and security are gaining a much higher policy profile in North America, the EU and in global scientific, environmental and economic forums, not least in the context of rising awareness of the pace and consequences of global climate change. But is the Arctic region set to become a cauldron of conflict or a zone of low tension and practical, cooperative endeavour? The Northern Dimension module allows students to investigate aspects of the politics and international relations of the Arctic. Students identify their own topic for investigation, exploring a research question using paper-based and web-based resources. They may also engage in email communication with any one of almost twenty experts in Arctic matters - academic professors, campaigning activists, technical experts etc - who together make up the module's "Experts' Gallery" and form the cutting edge of the Northern Dimension learning community established to support this module. Students deliver the developing fruits of their individual research project in a succession of ways - as an oral presentation to the seminar group; as a 2,500-word essay/article; and, finally, as a website of their own making, employing easily available website-editing software that is relatively simple to master and can be downloaded for free onto their computers/laptops. A range of generic employability skills are firmed up in this module - oral presentation, team-working, independent working etc, while some less familiar ones such as communicating effectively through websites, are developed. The assessment format is: 10% individual oral presentation; 40% 2,500 word essay/article; 50% individual website.
PIR-30112 The Northern Dimension: Resources, Environment and Security in the Arctic EP C 7.5 15
Drowning polar bears, crumbling shores on melting seas, resource races towards the North Pole and sovereignty disputes in the high Arctic - this is the stuff of current media content concerning the circumpolar North, the Arctic once sublime! The Arctic certainly is changing. Its resources, environment and security are gaining a much higher policy profile in North America, the EU and in global scientific, environmental and economic forums, not least in the context of rising awareness of the pace and consequences of global climate change. But is the Arctic region set to become a cauldron of conflict or a zone of low tension and practical, cooperative endeavour? The Northern Dimension module allows students to investigate aspects of the politics and international relations of the Arctic. Students identify their own topic for investigation, exploring a research question using paper-based and web-based resources. They may also engage in email communication with any one of almost twenty experts in Arctic matters - academic professors, campaigning activists, technical experts etc - who together make up the module's "Experts' Gallery" and form the cutting edge of the Northern Dimension learning community established to support this module. Students deliver the developing fruits of their individual research project in a succession of ways - as an oral presentation to the seminar group; as a 2,500-word essay/article; and, finally, as a website of their own making, employing easily available website-editing software that is relatively simple to master and can be downloaded for free onto their computers/laptops. A range of generic employability skills are firmed up in this module - oral presentation, team-working, independent working etc, while some less familiar ones such as communicating effectively through websites, are developed. The assessment format is: 10% individual oral presentation; 40% 2,500 word essay/article; 50% individual website.
PIR-30116 The Rise and Fall of the League of Nations O M 7.5 15
Tremendous hopes were pinned on the League of Nations when it was created in 1919, and considerable effort was put into the the League's quest for peace. Recent research confounds outdated conventional wisdom about the League being, in effect, a useless organisation. It was, in Lord Robert Cecil's words a 'great experiment'. By studying its tremendous achievements as well as its well-known failures, students will gain a deeper appreciation of the nature of interntional relations between the wars; the possibilities and limitation of international cooperation; the nature of international organisation; and the nature of international life. By writing essays on particular aspects of the League students will expand their knowledge of those aspects that particularly interest them.
PIR-30116 The Rise and Fall of the League of Nations EP M 7.5 15
Tremendous hopes were pinned on the League of Nations when it was created in 1919, and considerable effort was put into the the League's quest for peace. Recent research confounds outdated conventional wisdom about the League being, in effect, a useless organisation. It was, in Lord Robert Cecil's words a 'great experiment'. By studying its tremendous achievements as well as its well-known failures, students will gain a deeper appreciation of the nature of interntional relations between the wars; the possibilities and limitation of international cooperation; the nature of international organisation; and the nature of international life. By writing essays on particular aspects of the League students will expand their knowledge of those aspects that particularly interest them.
PIR-30118 Policing International Order O C 7.5 15
Policing is an international activity As a key component of post-Cold War liberal strategies, police reform became central to international projects that aimed to transform $ùweak states&© into apolitical rule of law zones governed through security practices. From having a marginal role in UN peacekeeping operations, policing very quickly established itself as an indispensable aspect of international security.This role was further enhanced in the wake of terrorist attacks on New York, London, Madrid and Bali. Together with NGOs and state development agencies, the UN, the EU and the OSCE have been instrumental in the resultant internationalization and militarization of the police in the international realm. This module draws upon criminology, history, international relations and political philosophy in order to explore the causes and consequences of this development and to assess its impact on post-conflict societies.
PIR-30118 Policing International Order EP C 7.5 15
Policing is an international activity As a key component of post-Cold War liberal strategies, police reform became central to international projects that aimed to transform $ùweak states&© into apolitical rule of law zones governed through security practices. From having a marginal role in UN peacekeeping operations, policing very quickly established itself as an indispensable aspect of international security.This role was further enhanced in the wake of terrorist attacks on New York, London, Madrid and Bali. Together with NGOs and state development agencies, the UN, the EU and the OSCE have been instrumental in the resultant internationalization and militarization of the police in the international realm. This module draws upon criminology, history, international relations and political philosophy in order to explore the causes and consequences of this development and to assess its impact on post-conflict societies.
PIR-30122 Eco-Cities: Visions of the Good City and Sustainable Development O C 7.5 15
This module will provide students with an in-depth and systematic understanding the problem of urban sustainability. Eco-city design is presented as the critical interface between human culture and the ecological integrity of the biosphere. Students go on (i) to explore the significance of earlier utopian visions of 'the good city' for current discourses of urban sustainability, and (ii) to explore the relevance of a range of technical concepts from ecological economics and sustainability theory to the problem of eco-city design. The module seeks to engage students with recent institutional, theoretical and conceptual changes in relation to urban ecology and sustainability. The final module mark is based upon the following: a 2,500 word essay (50%); a 2-hour unseen written exam (50%) and a presentation (0%).
PIR-30122 Eco-Cities: Visions of the Good City and Sustainable Development EP C 7.5 15
This module will provide students with an in-depth and systematic understanding the problem of urban sustainability. Eco-city design is presented as the critical interface between human culture and the ecological integrity of the biosphere. Students go on (i) to explore the significance of earlier utopian visions of 'the good city' for current discourses of urban sustainability, and (ii) to explore the relevance of a range of technical concepts from ecological economics and sustainability theory to the problem of eco-city design. The module seeks to engage students with recent institutional, theoretical and conceptual changes in relation to urban ecology and sustainability. The final module mark is based upon the following: a 2,500 word essay (50%); a 2-hour unseen written exam (50%) and a presentation (0%).
PIR-30126 Human Rights: Concepts, Norms and Identities O M 7.5 15
The module examines core understandings of human rights as moral and legal norms that protect all persons from serious violations of their freedom and access to decent standards of living. It considers the normative validity of protections afforded by international human rights covenants to freedom of conscience; due process and access to fair trial; entitlements not to be enslaved or tortured; and to be protected from poverty and genocide. The first part of the module focuses in particular on theoretical debates surrounding the justification of human rights, inquiring whether interests in rational agency or material wellbeing serve as an adequate source of legitimacy. It examines Rawls&© famous Law of Peoples, which claims that the self-determination of non-liberal peoples must be respected, and that liberals cannot justifiably impose sanctions to secure liberal political rights for all citizens of the world. The controversy over global responsibilities is then examined. Does the human right to live free from poverty and malnutrition entail that citizens of rich countries bear $ùperfect&©, or non-negotiable, duties of justice to alleviate global poverty? Or is this not an absolute duty of justice but a matter of charity? Moreover, do rich governments have a duty to refuse to participate in a world order that systemically violates the rights of the world&©s poor? The later stages of the module pose more specific questions: can historical human rights abuses of apartheid regimes ever be forgiven, and do the formerly oppressed have a duty to relinquish just claims against their oppressors in the name of peace? Finally, the moral individualism presupposed by the concept of human rights is questioned from non-western, post-modern and feminist perspectives.
PIR-30126 Human Rights: Concepts, Norms and Identities EP M 7.5 15
The module examines core understandings of human rights as moral and legal norms that protect all persons from serious violations of their freedom and access to decent standards of living. It considers the normative validity of protections afforded by international human rights covenants to freedom of conscience; due process and access to fair trial; entitlements not to be enslaved or tortured; and to be protected from poverty and genocide. The first part of the module focuses in particular on theoretical debates surrounding the justification of human rights, inquiring whether interests in rational agency or material wellbeing serve as an adequate source of legitimacy. It examines Rawls&© famous Law of Peoples, which claims that the self-determination of non-liberal peoples must be respected, and that liberals cannot justifiably impose sanctions to secure liberal political rights for all citizens of the world. The controversy over global responsibilities is then examined. Does the human right to live free from poverty and malnutrition entail that citizens of rich countries bear $ùperfect&©, or non-negotiable, duties of justice to alleviate global poverty? Or is this not an absolute duty of justice but a matter of charity? Moreover, do rich governments have a duty to refuse to participate in a world order that systemically violates the rights of the world&©s poor? The later stages of the module pose more specific questions: can historical human rights abuses of apartheid regimes ever be forgiven, and do the formerly oppressed have a duty to relinquish just claims against their oppressors in the name of peace? Finally, the moral individualism presupposed by the concept of human rights is questioned from non-western, post-modern and feminist perspectives.
PIR-30128 Protest and social movements O M 7.5 15
This course is about social movements and their role as vehicles of political protest and political and social change. Social movements are a universal phenomenon in modern societies and they have provoked controversy because they are generally critical of important features of the political or social system. Their critics might see them as extremists or hopelessly utopian while their supporters see in them the hope of more democracy or a better kind of society. The academic analysis of social movements does not escape these controversies, so one task that we will face in assessing different approaches to the study of social movements will be to disentangle the different views of the social world that underlie conflicting theories of protest and social movements. You will be expected to be able to comment on the strengths and weaknesses of explanatory theories of social movements, to place movements in a wider context and to assess the power relations and social forces that shape the political environment of social movements. The cases that we examine include: recent protests in Britain, protest against authoritarian regimes such as those in China, Burma and Eastern Europe pre-1989; protest movements in the global South such as the Zapatistas in Mexico, and feminist and environmental movements in Europe and North America. The themes that we cover include the place of protest in democracy, the evidence about how participates in protest and why, the kinds of protest action that social movement groups choose to pursue, the influence of the state and policing on protest, how radical activists organise and create alternative communities, and the different theoretical approaches to social movements.
PIR-30128 Protest and social movements EP M 7.5 15
This course is about social movements and their role as vehicles of political protest and political and social change. Social movements are a universal phenomenon in modern societies and they have provoked controversy because they are generally critical of important features of the political or social system. Their critics might see them as extremists or hopelessly utopian while their supporters see in them the hope of more democracy or a better kind of society. The academic analysis of social movements does not escape these controversies, so one task that we will face in assessing different approaches to the study of social movements will be to disentangle the different views of the social world that underlie conflicting theories of protest and social movements. You will be expected to be able to comment on the strengths and weaknesses of explanatory theories of social movements, to place movements in a wider context and to assess the power relations and social forces that shape the political environment of social movements. The cases that we examine include: recent protests in Britain, protest against authoritarian regimes such as those in China, Burma and Eastern Europe pre-1989; protest movements in the global South such as the Zapatistas in Mexico, and feminist and environmental movements in Europe and North America. The themes that we cover include the place of protest in democracy, the evidence about how participates in protest and why, the kinds of protest action that social movement groups choose to pursue, the influence of the state and policing on protest, how radical activists organise and create alternative communities, and the different theoretical approaches to social movements.
PIR-30129 Environmental Politics in the USA O M 7.5 15
The United States has a complex record of addressing environmental problems. Between 1965 and 1980 the country experienced a "golden age" of environmental policymaking when numerous laws were enacted to tackle problems such as air pollution, water pollution, and waste. Few new laws have been enacted in recent decades, however, leading some commentators to talk about "environmental gridlock" and describing the United States as a climate change "laggard". This module will examine the factors that drive environmental policymaking. Attention will be given to the nature of environmental problems, the role of interest groups and public opinion, and the way that political institutions and systems effect policymaking. Students will be required to write a position paper and a short research paper as part of their assessment, and will also be required to sit a two-hour examination.
PIR-30129 Environmental Politics in the USA EP M 7.5 15
The United States has a complex record of addressing environmental problems. Between 1965 and 1980 the country experienced a "golden age" of environmental policymaking when numerous laws were enacted to tackle problems such as air pollution, water pollution, and waste. Few new laws have been enacted in recent decades, however, leading some commentators to talk about "environmental gridlock" and describing the United States as a climate change "laggard". This module will examine the factors that drive environmental policymaking. Attention will be given to the nature of environmental problems, the role of interest groups and public opinion, and the way that political institutions and systems effect policymaking. Students will be required to write a position paper and a short research paper as part of their assessment, and will also be required to sit a two-hour examination.
PIR-30131 Education Politics and Policy EP C 7.5 15
Education has been the battleground for many competing policy ideas of the left and right. What ideologies and values drive policies in education? How do policy specialists analyse and compare these different approaches? This module will develop your skills in evaluating education policies. You will research and present answers to questions such as &«do religious schools teach more effectively and drive up overall test scores,&ª &«what effect do league tables have on teaching and the curriculum in schools and universities,&ª and &«do higher fees drive down student access to universities?&ª The module will identify frameworks that analysts use to study policies and practice using them on case studies. The content will consist of a comparison of education systems in the United Kingdom and United States, focusing on secondary and higher education. The two systems copy each other's policies, but have many stark differences in approach. Some key themes include the separation of church and state, local versus national control over schools and universities. Some previous study of public policy would be helpful, but is not required.
PIR-30131 Education Politics and Policy O C 7.5 15
Education has been the battleground for many competing policy ideas of the left and right. What ideologies and values drive policies in education? How do policy specialists analyse and compare these different approaches? This module will develop your skills in evaluating education policies. You will research and present answers to questions such as &«do religious schools teach more effectively and drive up overall test scores,&ª &«what effect do league tables have on teaching and the curriculum in schools and universities,&ª and &«do higher fees drive down student access to universities?&ª The module will identify frameworks that analysts use to study policies and practice using them on case studies. The content will consist of a comparison of education systems in the United Kingdom and United States, focusing on secondary and higher education. The two systems copy each other's policies, but have many stark differences in approach. Some key themes include the separation of church and state, local versus national control over schools and universities. Some previous study of public policy would be helpful, but is not required.
PIR-30132 Party Systems and Elections EP M 7.5 15
Modern democracy is characterised above all by a competitive struggle between political parties, who pursue votes as a means to obtain political office and achieve their policy goals. This module examines aspects of that competitive struggle (i.e. the 'party system'), which parties conduct not only in the electoral arena, but also in parliament and in (coalition) government. The module focuses on the western European experience. Examples of the type of questions it will address include the nature and origins of party systems; how we might best capture change in party competition, as well as the causes and significance of party system change. In addition, the module is likely to examine competing theories of voting behaviour; as well as the patterns, causes and significance of recent changes in electoral behaviour. Students are encouraged to take this module alongside that on parties' origins and organization (PIR-30133), but this is not essential and each is thus each self-contained.
PIR-30132 Party Systems and Elections O M 7.5 15
Modern democracy is characterised above all by a competitive struggle between political parties, who pursue votes as a means to obtain political office and achieve their policy goals. This module examines aspects of that competitive struggle (i.e. the 'party system'), which parties conduct not only in the electoral arena, but also in parliament and in (coalition) government. The module focuses on the western European experience. Examples of the type of questions it will address include the nature and origins of party systems; how we might best capture change in party competition, as well as the causes and significance of party system change. In addition, the module is likely to examine competing theories of voting behaviour; as well as the patterns, causes and significance of recent changes in electoral behaviour. Students are encouraged to take this module alongside that on parties' origins and organization (PIR-30133), but this is not essential and each is thus each self-contained.
PIR-30134 British State and Society during the Cold War O C 7.5 15
This course offers an in-depth look at Britain's Cold War policies, and the multiple relationships between Britain's external policies and domestic politics and culture during the Cold War. Broadly speaking, it uses primarily a historical perspective to ask what was Britain's role in the Cold War, and how did the Cold War affect British people? The module begins with an examination of why Britain chose to develop and to sustain its own nuclear weapon; and it contemplates the basis of Britain's security policy through an exploration of British intelligence and perceptions of the Soviet threat. It entertains in detail the reasons for and implications of Britain's civil and home defence policies, and considers domestic films about the implications of nuclear war and the plans government drew up to cope (or not) with apocalypse. It then moves on to contemplate Britain's internal security regime, examining the state's perceptions of domestic enemies and the measures established to deal with them. Further, it considers dominant political discourses in the Cold War, and the dissemination, assimilation or rejection of these discourses, through an examination of British politics, and key films and novels of the Cold War era. For example, did the American CIA influence British party politics? Or what can James Bond tell us about ideas of the enemy in the Cold War climate? Students also have the opportunity to examine primary documents about the period, to visit the nuclear bunker at Hack Green, and to imagine what would have happened if nuclear war had come to Cold War Britain.... Suggested reading: Peter Hennessy, The Secret State: Whitehall and the Cold War (Penguin, 2003) Sean Greenwood, Britain in the Cold War, 1945-1991 (Macmillan, 1999) Tony Shaw, British Cinema and the Cold War (IB Tauris, 2000) Stephen Whitfield, Culture and the Cold War (John Hopkins, 1991) Teaching format: weekly 2-hour seminars Assessment: 30% Paper, 10% Class Participation, 60% Essay
PIR-30134 British State and Society during the Cold War EP C 7.5 15
This course offers an in-depth look at Britain's Cold War policies, and the multiple relationships between Britain's external policies and domestic politics and culture during the Cold War. Broadly speaking, it uses primarily a historical perspective to ask what was Britain's role in the Cold War, and how did the Cold War affect British people? The module begins with an examination of why Britain chose to develop and to sustain its own nuclear weapon; and it contemplates the basis of Britain's security policy through an exploration of British intelligence and perceptions of the Soviet threat. It entertains in detail the reasons for and implications of Britain's civil and home defence policies, and considers domestic films about the implications of nuclear war and the plans government drew up to cope (or not) with apocalypse. It then moves on to contemplate Britain's internal security regime, examining the state's perceptions of domestic enemies and the measures established to deal with them. Further, it considers dominant political discourses in the Cold War, and the dissemination, assimilation or rejection of these discourses, through an examination of British politics, and key films and novels of the Cold War era. For example, did the American CIA influence British party politics? Or what can James Bond tell us about ideas of the enemy in the Cold War climate? Students also have the opportunity to examine primary documents about the period, to visit the nuclear bunker at Hack Green, and to imagine what would have happened if nuclear war had come to Cold War Britain.... Suggested reading: Peter Hennessy, The Secret State: Whitehall and the Cold War (Penguin, 2003) Sean Greenwood, Britain in the Cold War, 1945-1991 (Macmillan, 1999) Tony Shaw, British Cinema and the Cold War (IB Tauris, 2000) Stephen Whitfield, Culture and the Cold War (John Hopkins, 1991) Teaching format: weekly 2-hour seminars Assessment: 30% Paper, 10% Class Participation, 60% Essay

Politics Major - Level 1 Modules

Semester 1 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
PIR-10038 Why Politics Matters C C 7.5 15
This module provides an introduction to politics that strips it back to its essentials. We examine the core debates in the subject and show why argument and disagreement are perennial features of modern politics but also why politics is an integral feature of modern societies. Core questions in the first part of the course include - where does politics happen? Is it only about government, or can it also include politics in our daily lives, such as who looks after the children? Are we under the thumb of a ruling elite or does democracy mean that power is diffused widely in society? If democracy was the greatest political achievement of the twentieth century, is it now in trouble? Are people now more disenchanted with politics and are politicians less honest and more corrupt than they used to be? Has the state interfered too much in our lives or should government being doing more? What makes a good citizen and does being a good citizen include saying no to governments on occasion? There are no easy or universally-agreed answers to these questions, but trying to answer them will help you understand the forces that shape the world you live in, the choices that you have about how to live your life, and you will also learn how mere opinions do not make good political arguments. In the second part of the course you will deepen your understanding of the role of conflicting values in politics by working in a small group to understand how a contemporary political issue can be seen differently by different ideologies such as liberalism, conservatism and socialism. Even if you don't think of yourself as political, you will learn how you take political decisions and express political views every day. This module will allow you to understand why politics and your role in it matters. The course structure is based on whole group lectures and weekly seminars. You will study a workbook of readings and complete a range of tasks that will help you prepare for the seminars, write your essay and prepare for a small group presentation to the rest of your seminar group. You will receive guidance on how to build up a portfolio of research notes from lectures and reading and you will receive feedback on three pieces of assessed work: a book review done as a short class test (25%); a group presentation (25%) and a 1,500 word essay (50%).
PIR-10041 Introduction to International Relations EP M 7.5 15
This module is designed to provide a clear introduction to the academic study of International Relations and is useful to both beginning International Relations students and to students who would like to simply to find out what the subject is about and explore a few topics or issues in the module that particularly interest them. The module shows how the modern "society of states" came about and was affected by various factors such as nationalism and other ideologies, technology and a globalizing capitalist economy. It also gives students a basic understanding of the "traditional" perspectives in the academic discipline of International Relations and helps them to distinguish between these schools of thought. The ten topic-based lectures are accompanied by eight weekly meetings of each small seminar group. The seminar meetings fall into two kinds. In roughly half the seminars, students learn how to perform effectively in core aspects of University-level study such as: researching, planning and writing an essay; and examination preparation and technique. The other half of the tutorial meetings are devoted to discussion of the topics covered by the module, including: the evolution of the modern states system; Realist and "Idealist" perspectives on IR, violence and war; order, justice and fairness in international society; sovereignty and humanitarian intervention; and the transition from international to global society. Half way through the module, students receive a one-to-one personal meeting with their Module Tutor (lasting approximately ten minutes) in which they receive feedback on their essay plans and can discuss their progress in the module in general. Assessment format: 3-400 word essay plan (0% of the module mark, but non-submission of the essay plan will automatically trigger failure of the module); 1,000-word essay (50% of the module mark); two-hour unseen exam (50% of the module mark).
PIR-10042 Making and Shaping Foreign Policy EP C 7.5 15
This module gives a clear introduction to the study of foreign policy, which is one aspect of the academic discipline of International Relations. It is useful, therefore, for beginning students of International Relations. Yet it is also of interest to students who would simply like to find out what kinds of ideas and concepts are employed when we try to explain or evaluate the foreign policy behaviour of any country and to learn how to apply some of these to a particular country (the USA, Britain, Russia, Iran or China, for example). The 10 lectures in the module are accompanied by 10 weekly meetings of each small seminar group. Activity in the seminar groups is organised around the delivery of short oral presentations by 2-3 students each week, followed by group discussion and debate. Students thus develop the important employability skills of effective oral communication, team working and evaluating the work of one's colleagues in a constructive spirit. Students receive feedback from the Tutor (as well as from their fellow students) on their oral presentations and from the Tutor on their essay plans while the teaching is continuing. Assessment format: 0% essay plan (non-submission of the essay plan will result in failure of the module as a whole, irrespective of the marks achieved for the oral presentation and essay), 50% oral presentation; 50% essay.
PIR-10046 British Politics Since 1945 EP C 7.5 15
This module introduces students to the study of domestic and international dimensions of British politics. It presents an overview of the key debates that have shaped politics in Britain, such as the formation of the welfare state in Britain, Britain&©s post-war relationship with the United States of America, the Commonwealth and Europe, debates over Britain&©s economic decline, interpreting Thatcherism and the newness of New Labour. The module is organised into 12 lectures and 8 tutorials. Students are required to produce a literature review (30% of total module mark), and a 1,500 essay (70%).
PIR-10047 The politics of sustainability EP M 7.5 15
This module is designed to provide a clear and inspiring introduction to social scientific perspectives on environmental problems and the concept of sustainability. It is useful to both beginning Environment and Sustainability single honours students who require a solid grounding in enviromental social sciences as well as to students with a general interest in this timely and topical global issue. The module looks at the emergence of the 'environment' as an object of study, the historical processes leading to the contemporary discussion of 'sustainability' (and 'unsustainability') and the various ways in which political and social theorists, scientists, artists, fiction writers, and activists have interpreted a range of environmental problems and solutions in different contexts. Students will learn to recognise the political aspects of the environmental crisis and to understand how and why both 'environment' and 'sustainability' are essentially contested concepts. The ten topic-based lectures are complemented by ten weekly meetings of small tutorial groups. The tutorial sessions are organised by pre-assigned problem sheets that enable students to prepare to discuss and debate the academic content, as well as to practise core skills that will be required for successful University-level study -- such as paraphrasing an author's argument, using the Harvard system of referencing, attributing a concept to a specific school of thought, and constructing an effective argument. Tutorial group sessions enable students to develop the important verbal communication skills of effective question-posing and active listening. Feedback is given regularly by the tutor and by peers, in tutorials as well as in lectures. Assessment format: 35% problem sheets, 25% book review, 40% unseen exam.
Semester 2 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
PIR-10037 Introduction to Global Politics EP C 7.5 15
This module serves as an introduction to global politics. It asks students to consider their proximity to global politics. By focussing upon and understanding the role it plays, the module invites students to question how the state mediates between an individual's political outlook and events that occur in the international sphere that profoundly affect their lives. What is global and what is local - is the line that divides the two real? And what effect does it have on the way we think and act politically? The module explores how the state lays claim to being the primary actor within international politics in the fields of human rights, peace, security, culture, economics,the environment and the global commons. The module aims to help students develop their ability to critically evaluate the kinds of arguments made by academic experts and actual practitioners of global politics. The 10 lectures are accompanied by 10 one-hour tutorials in which students develop their presentational and team working skills by delivering an individual oral presentation and contributing to a group presentation to the class. Assessment format: 10% group presentation; 20% individual oral presentation; 70% essay.
PIR-10039 Debates in American Politics EP C 7.5 15
American Politics is driven by debate. Americans are divided over their foreign policy. Over social issues such as race and abortion, the U.S. has embarked upon debates so heated that they're sometimes referred to as the "culture wars". Then there are ongoing contests over areas such as education and environmental policy. This module will introduce to many of these debates. Each week, we look at a new policy area and get you to debate the rights and wrongs of current U.S. policy and where it should go next. The module also serves to introduce you to the subject of American Politics - it's all pitched at those new to the topic. Much of the module depends on your presentations, advocating one side or the other of a debate in a key policy area. Over the semester, you should learn about a series of policy debates, who's advocating what and develop your skills in presentation and argument.
PIR-10043 The Changing World: A History of International Relations since 1945 EP C 7.5 15
This module is designed to give a clear introduction to the academic study of International History within the discipline of international relations. It is useful for students of international relations, and also to students who would like to find out more about trends in world history and about key international events from the end of the second world war to the present day. The module covers the rise and fall of the Cold War, the global Cold War in Korea and Vietnam, European integration, decolonisation and nation building in Africa, the modern origins of the Arab Israeli conflict, the Yugoslavian civil wars, international terrorism and American foreign policy in the 1990s to the present. The ten topic-based lectures are accompanied by ten weekly meetings of small tutorial groups. In these tutorials, students will have the opportunity to debate key themes and questions on topics covered by the lectures. One tutorial will provide the opportunity for students to 'role play' the positions of different actors in a particular international crisis. Preparation for the tutorials is deliberately integrated into the assessment format: students will be able to use their preparatory work, and the skills developed in tutorials, in order to conduct the assessments. Students will be expected to prepare independently for seminars, but will work in small groups during the tutorials. There will also be two tutorials focused on study skills, specifically on using sources and on essay writing. The assessment for this module is 40% critique, and 60% essay. The critique is an opportunity for students to develop their skills, and to receive tutor feedback, in formulating an argument. Students will be expected to analyse one of the historical debates discussed in tutorials and to present their own argument supported by appropriate evidence. The essay will be submitted at the end of the course. Students will also have the opportunity to conduct a short referencing exercise, and to write a commentary on some of the source material discussed in the lectures. These assessments will not count towards the final mark.
PIR-10045 Justice, Authority and Power EP M 7.5 15
This module introduces students to the central debates in the history of Western political thought concerning justice and related concepts of political authority, power, liberty and the social contract. By posing critical questions concerning the nature and limits of state power, it provides a stimulating and enlightening opportunity for students in a wide range of disciplines, whether or not taking a principal degree in Politics, Philosophy and International Relations, to become familiar with the origin and development of the most influential ideas that have shaped modern states and societies. The module firstly examines core issues in classical political thought through a study of Plato and Aristotle. Their writings present controversial but significant arguments for the universality of justice, the common good and the justification of elite power. The second part focuses on modern approaches to justice that focus principally on individual liberty, the social contract and the difference between wielding power and possessing legitimate authority to rule. The theories of Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau contrast with those of the classical world, and are generally considered to have inaugurated the widespread defence of representative government and democracy around the world today. Ten lectures introduce the main concepts and thinkers covered in the module, and are accompanied by a corresponding number of weekly meetings of small one-hour tutorial groups. In these tutorials, students have the opportunity to debate specific themes and questions. Students are also asked to undertake self-assessed, summative multiple choice tests during the course of the module, and are encouraged to seek their tutors' advice with respect to any gaps in their knowledge that emerge as a result of these examinations. Students also receive prompt formative feedback on an essay-plan, which they are then asked to develop into a polished piece of written work, which is summatively assessed.
PIR-10055 Modern Democracies C M 7.5 15
This module introduces students to the comparative study of politics. The kinds of topics to be covered include: the ways in which we may study politics and evaluate democracies in a comparative fashion; different models used to compare democracies; how different modern democracies (including the UK, Germany, the USA, France and the European Union) fit into these models; the importance and the consequences of institutional structures and processes in democracies; the exporting of democratic institutions and processes. The module is organized into 10 lectures and 10 tutorials. Students are required to participate in tutorials to undertake a data analysis group exercise (10%) and an individual oral presentation (40%). They will also complete an unseen two-hour examination at the end of the semester (50%).

Politics Major - Level 2 Modules

Semester 1 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
PIR-20041 Politics - Study Abroad I EP C 7.5 15
This is a module that is automatically allocated to the records our Keele level II students who are going to Study Abroad at a partner University for a semester of their second year and cannot be selected by any other level II students.
PIR-20042 Politics - Study Abroad II EP C 7.5 15
This is a module that is automatically allocated to the records our Keele level II students who are going to Study Abroad at a partner University for a semester of their second year and cannot be selected by any other level II students.
PIR-20063 Global Political Economy EP M 7.5 15
This module provides students with a broad understanding of theoretical and empirical aspects of Global Political Economy. The objectives of the course include: i) providing students with knowledge of a range of theoretical approaches to the study of global and international political economy; ii) presenting the major political themes in the historical development of the international economy; iii) providing students with an understanding of debates about the emergence and political consequences of a globalised economy, with its patterns of inequality; iv) exploring the prospects and politics of managing the global economy; v) equipping students with the conceptual and analytical skills needed to achieve a clear understanding of contemporary global political economy. Students further develop their oral and written communication skills, as well as their ability to conduct research in the literature of the discipline. The final module mark is based upon the following: oral presentation (10%), essay 50%), exam (40%).
PIR-20064 International Relations of the Environment EP M 7.5 15
As a global society of increasingly interdependent states, the world faces numerous problems stemming from the depletion of natural resources such as fish, forests, hydrocarbons and water and the deterioration of various aspects of the natural environment. Most of these are examples of common problems (we all independently experience them to varying degrees) or also shared problems (what each of us does or doesn't do about them affects how they are experienced by others). This poses many challenges for the development of national and international policies that will effectively address the global environmental agenda. Through a detailed examination of a selection of international environmental issue areas, students are introduced to some of the key analytical themes from the academic literature on the international relations of the environment. This enables students to analyse a number of common or shared conservation and environmental protection challenges that many states and parts of the world face, and to critically evaluate the proposed solutions. The issues and themes covered in the module usually include: how issues get on the international environmental agenda; the environment in international affairs; the contribution of the discipline of IR to understanding international environmental affairs; patterns of sovereignty and jurisdiction affecting transboundary resources and pollutants; actors, factors and effectiveness in international environmental regimes; environment and security; the International Whaling Regime; The African Elephant in international trade; high seas fisheries; tropical rainforests; the ozone layer; climate change; trade and the environment. Other topics which sometimes feature in the module include: Antarctica; the deep seabed; the global trade in hazardous waste; persistent organic pollutants. There are 15 one-hour lectures. Each tutorial group meets fortnightly for a total of 5 one-hour sessions. Students work in teams to coordinate their class contributions as well as working individually on the topics which especially interest them, further developing their ability to conduct research using a variety of sources in order to analyse some of the policy problems encountered in the quest for ecologically sustainable development. The final module mark is based upon the following: short oral presentation to the class (10%); 2,000 word essay (40%); 2-hour unseen written examination (50%).
PIR-20067 Environmental Politics and Policy EP C 7.5 15
This module provides a level two introduction to some of the key historical, theoretical and practical dimensions of environmental politics and policy. In particular it aims to explore: &· The political nature of environmental problems and controversies; &· The diverse historical, political, and cultural roots of contemporary environmental problems and controversies; &· Connections between local and global environmental issues; &· Challenges posed by environmental issues to political institutions; &· Power relationships between developed and developing countries, and between social groups within political communities; and the various strategies and tactics used to bring about environmental change, such as government policy-making and regulation, corporate environmental responsibility,and social movement activism. Emphasis is placed on the complexity of contemporary environmental issues and controversies, and on developing the skills necessary to analyse them critically, and thus respond to them effectively. The module enables students to develop their argumentation and communication skills. Students will be assessed on a portfolio of 5 short pieces of writing designed to develop argumentation skills (50%), a mid-term class test (formative) and a research essay (50%).
PIR-20069 Approaches to Political Analysis C C 7.5 15
How should you analyse politics? This question can prove highly controversial. Politics is a broad discipline that encompasses many different ways of researching that include different methods, different ways of measuring things, different definitions of what constitutes $ùevidence&©, and even different conceptions of how we 'know what we know' in politics. This course will familiarise you with these debates and give you an introduction to the different approaches you may encounter. It provides an excellent preparation for planning for your dissertation in the third year. The module takes a hands on approach to these debates, and will get you to try out different forms of analysis on a series of actual cases that you will recognise from the news. These cases include such topics as how to analyse a political film and why people are turned off politics.
PIR-20070 The UN in world politics EP M 7.5 15
The United Nations has shaped international relations in multiple, complex and significant ways, but has not had the kind of impact for which many people hoped. Students taking this course will be able to explain why. They will analyse the interplay between world politics and international organisation by reference to the background to the creation of the United Nations; the lessons learned from the failure (and successes) of the UN's predecessor, the League of Nations; the policies of member states; and the international environment. Students will have the opportunity to work in teams as well as study topics that particulary interest them. In so doing they will further develop their ability to conduct research using a variety of sources to analyse the role of the UN in world politics. Assessment will be by means of one 2,000-word essay (50 per cent) and one two-hour unseen examination (50 per cent).
PIR-20071 U.S Government and Politics EP M 7.5 15
Through a detailed examination and analysis of the US governmental institutions, political parties, voting behaviour, interest groups, and public opinion, students will gain an understanding how the mass public can influence the making of public policy. This approach will enable students to identify, research, analyse and comment on the key issues facing the US political system developing their understanding of the interactivity of its component parts. An analysis of the literature will introduce students to the different conceptual frameworks and methodologies that have been adopted by leading US political scientists providing an intellectually rigorous training for the further study of the US political system. Students will also have the opportunity to work on topics which interest them for their written work, further developing their ability to conduct research using a variety of souces in a multi-media context in order to analyse some of the major challenges facing US political institutions and political society. The final module mark is based upon a 3 x 1000-word portfolios (60%) and a 2 hour written examination (40%).
PIR-20076 Contemporary International Relations Theory EP C 7.5 15
This module provides students with a broad theoretical understanding of the main areas of study in International Relations. It introduces students to the most influential ideas and writings in the field of IR. Through the in-depth analysis of leading scholars it analyses the methods that underpin contemporary interpretations of international relations. It enables students themselves to critique the various theoretical approaches involved with researching and writing about international relations. Throughout the module, there is a strong emphasis on applying the concepts and problems of IR theory to contemporary events. The 15 one-hour lectures explain the various approaches to interpreting IR. The 7 one-hour meetings of each tutorial group compare how particular themes in international relations are addressed by authors from different schools of thought, employing small-group work and plenary discussion amongst the whole class.
PIR-20078 Russian Politics and Society EP M 7.5 15
The theme of this module is the most important political experiment of the twentieth century - the attempt to build communism in Russia. We look at: * the ideological, cultural and political origins of communism * the political, economic and social systems created under Lenin and Stalin * the gradual decline of the Soviet system under Stalin's successors * the causes of the collapse of Soviet communism in the Gorbachev period * communism's legacy and the postcommunist Russian political system * prospects for democracy in contemporary Russia The module will consist of 12 lectures and 8 x 1 hour tutorials. Assessment is via a portfolio of 5 short blogs on tutorial content (total 3000 words) and a final seen examination, which will address the 'big' questions raised by the module content: what was communism's appeal, what were the structural problems of the Soviet system, why did this system eventually collapse, what is its legacy, and where is Russia heading in the current period. Indicative reading: Robert Service: A History of Modern Russia (2003); Edwin Bacon with Matthew Wyman, Contemporary Russia (2005); Stephen White et al, Developments in Russian Politics 7 (2009)
Semester 2 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
PIR-20046 Politics - Study Abroad V EP C 7.5 15
This is a module that is automatically allocated to the records our Keele level II students who are going to Study Abroad at a partner University for a semester of their second year and cannot be selected by any other level II students.
PIR-20047 Politics - Study Abroad VI EP C 7.5 15
This is a module that is automatically allocated to the records our Keele level II students who are going to Study Abroad at a partner University for a semester of their second year and cannot be selected by any other level II students.
PIR-20061 Peace, Conflict and Security: Theories and Practice EP M 7.5 15
This module introduces students to the problem of security as it is addressed in the academic discipline of International Relations and as it is understood by practicioners of international politics at the level of governments and other kinds of actors in world politics. The study of security is still the single most influential sub-discipline within International Relations and the search for security in its various forms is at the heart of many activities and policies at the international level. Through this module students become familiar with the key conceptual debates in the literature on international security and come to appreciate the implications of these debates for events in the real world of international politics. They develop the ability to apply a range of relevant ideas about the nature of conflict and conflict resolution to gain a critical understanding of how security questions develop and how the security agenda is shaped, looking especially at the elements of continuity and change in the security agenda since the Cold War began to wane in the mid-1980s through to the 2010s. In addition to learning how to analyse key aspects of the security problematique - a set of problems, concepts, and theoretical debates that still lie near the heart of the discipline of International Relations - students refine their ability to conduct independent research, to evaluate and employ abstract concepts and theories in making sense of and evaluating potential solutions to real-world problems, and effectively to communicate complex arguments supported by appropriate evidence. The final module mark is based upon the following: 750-word annotated bibliography (15%); 2,000 word essay (45%); 2-hour unseen written exam (40%).
PIR-20062 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OF EURASIA: Challenges of Globalisation and Geopolitics EP C 7.5 15
Eurasia, the vast lands between China and Germany, has emerged as the world's axial super-continent, which is now serving as the decisive geopolitical chessboard, both for political/military and economic reasons. Eurasia accounts for 75 percent of the world's population, 60 percent of its GNP, and 75 percent of its energy resources. Collectively, Eurasia's power overshadows even America's. The geopolitics of the region is therefore a significant matter. On a lighter note, it is even the setting and plot device for one of the latest James Bond movies. This module looks at the struggle between the processes of globalisation and geopolitical forces since the end of the Second World War. One of the most significant characteristics of the Eurasian heartland is its central location in relation to the major sedentary civilisations of the past and present. Over the centuries, these lands have come under the sway of several great world-historical civilisations and empires: the Eastern Roman or Byzantine, Mongolian, Ottoman, Holy Roman, Austro-Hungarian, Russian, and Soviet. These lands have felt the influence of Orthodox Christianity, Catholicism, Protestanism, Judaism, Islam, and world communism. At the intersection of many powerful global forces, these lands have experienced with particular sharpness what is called &«modernisation&ª and its challenge to customary ways of life. In addition, the collapse of Soviet domination and communist regimes across this region has dramatically increased its importance for the global economy. The Eurasian heartland, which has for a number of years been in the process of becoming a region of major strategic importance, has often been treated as peripheral to other fields of study such as study of Russia or China. Perhaps more than any other region of the world, the Eurasian heartland has become an avenue of the much-mentioned condition of multipolarity in world affairs. Students conduct independent research on a research question that they have individually identified. The final module mark is based upon the following: tutorial performance (15%); a Short Paper of 1,000 words planning out the research project (25%); and a 3,000-word Research Paper (60%).
PIR-20065 The Practice of Politics EP C 7.5 15
This module involves exploration of a number of interrelated personal and political questions. Through engaging with the module fully, you will, by the end of it, have clearer answers to at least some of the following questions: Personal Development - What am I good at? - What do I enjoy doing? - What are my motivations? - What are my priorities? - How can I become more effective? Future Careers - What is it like to work in various different kinds of political career? - How do careers develop? - What kind of work do I want? - What do I need to do in order to get the kind of work I want? Political Action - How can I communicate about politics more effectively? - How can I influence others? - How can I improve my $ùpeople&© skills? - How can I be an effective leader? Political Communication and Leadership - When are political leaders effective? - When do campaigns succeed? - What are the features of effective public speaking in a variety of contexts? The module will be taught in 12 x 2-hour workshops which will consist of a combination of instruction, small and large group discussion and practical exercises. Rather than prior reading the focus will be on practical activities in the workshop and afterwards. Participants will also be given the opportunity to practice public speaking and media and interview skills as part of a presentation day. Assessment will be through a research report which involves either a study of an individual political leader, a policy brief on a current controversy, or an analysis of great political speeches (worth 50% of marks), and a portfolio including a number of reflections on individual skill areas, as well as a number of documents relating to the process of career management and development (50%).
PIR-20066 Freedom and Equality O M 7.5 15
This module provides an introduction to two of the most widely debated concepts in contemporary political theory. Freedom and equality are amongst the central values of modern political life, and inform many campaigns for justice around the world today. The module focuses on current thinking about the meaning, justification and political application of these concepts. Through examining the ideas of leading contemporary political theorists and philosophers, students gain a better understanding of two of the most interesting and important concepts in contemporary political thought and practice. The module firstly examines Isaiah Berlin's famous distinction between 'negative' and 'positive' freedom. We ask whether justice involves ensuring citizens' freedom from physical harm or other forms of danger; or whether freedom is a matter of achieving goals that one sets for oneself - i.e., autonomy. The distinction between 'positive' and 'negative' freedom is applied to the topical debate about free speech in liberal societies. The second part of the module focuses on equality. Why is equality valuable? Is it more valuable than freedom? Should egalitarians be committed to securing equal opportunities or equal outcomes? Pressing issues of equality between present and future generations and between different nations are also considered. Fifteen lectures introduce the main concepts and thinkers covered in the module, and are accompanied by seven meetings of small one-hour tutorial groups. In the tutorials students have an opportunity to engage in structured discussions about particular themes and questions. The assessment for this course comprises an essay plan, to be written in the middle of the semester, followed by an essay and unseen examination at the end of the course.
PIR-20066 Freedom and Equality EP M 7.5 15
This module provides an introduction to two of the most widely debated concepts in contemporary political theory. Freedom and equality are amongst the central values of modern political life, and inform many campaigns for justice around the world today. The module focuses on current thinking about the meaning, justification and political application of these concepts. Through examining the ideas of leading contemporary political theorists and philosophers, students gain a better understanding of two of the most interesting and important concepts in contemporary political thought and practice. The module firstly examines Isaiah Berlin's famous distinction between 'negative' and 'positive' freedom. We ask whether justice involves ensuring citizens' freedom from physical harm or other forms of danger; or whether freedom is a matter of achieving goals that one sets for oneself - i.e., autonomy. The distinction between 'positive' and 'negative' freedom is applied to the topical debate about free speech in liberal societies. The second part of the module focuses on equality. Why is equality valuable? Is it more valuable than freedom? Should egalitarians be committed to securing equal opportunities or equal outcomes? Pressing issues of equality between present and future generations and between different nations are also considered. Fifteen lectures introduce the main concepts and thinkers covered in the module, and are accompanied by seven meetings of small one-hour tutorial groups. In the tutorials students have an opportunity to engage in structured discussions about particular themes and questions. The assessment for this course comprises an essay plan, to be written in the middle of the semester, followed by an essay and unseen examination at the end of the course.
PIR-20068 Why Policy Changes O C 7.5 15
Why do some policies change while others stay the same? Ultimately, most politics is about what governments do, or don't do. While many scholars of politics work in specific fields (e.g. legislatures, transport policy), those working in the field of public policy try to explain the whole: how does the system fit together to produce change or continuity in the way the government acts? That questions raises further issues: how do agendas work?, how do people in a policy area work together or compete with one another?, how does policy reflect people's political interests? This module introduces you to the work and methods of these scholars. There are three assessments for the module: two short written pieces which ask you to consider two particular areas of public policy scholarship (each of 1200 words and each worth 25% of your final module mark) and a policy analysis essay examining a policy area of your choice (2000 words, worth 50% of your final module mark). So, if you've ever wondered about questions of policy, such as why the trains don't run on time, or why you're paying fees to study at university, this module might help you understand.
PIR-20068 Why Policy Changes EP C 7.5 15
Why do some policies change while others stay the same? Ultimately, most politics is about what governments do, or don't do. While many scholars of politics work in specific fields (e.g. legislatures, transport policy), those working in the field of public policy try to explain the whole: how does the system fit together to produce change or continuity in the way the government acts? That questions raises further issues: how do agendas work?, how do people in a policy area work together or compete with one another?, how does policy reflect people's political interests? This module introduces you to the work and methods of these scholars. There are three assessments for the module: two short written pieces which ask you to consider two particular areas of public policy scholarship (each of 1200 words and each worth 25% of your final module mark) and a policy analysis essay examining a policy area of your choice (2000 words, worth 50% of your final module mark). So, if you've ever wondered about questions of policy, such as why the trains don't run on time, or why you're paying fees to study at university, this module might help you understand.
PIR-20073 European Union: Institutions and Policies EP M 7.5 15
This module introduces students to the study of European integration and its historical setting, then proceeds to describe and analyse the workings of its main institutions and selected policies. The institutions covered are the Commission, Council of Ministers, the European Parliament and the Court of Justice. Issues discussed include 'how democratic is the EU', 'how does the EU change the domestic politics of its members', 'is the EU a global power?, and finally 'what is the effect of new countries joining the EU'. The assessment for this module is based on: one 2,000-word essay (50%), and one 2-hour unseen written examination (50%).
PIR-20074 British Government and Politics EP M 7.5 15
This module seeks to offer an in-depth analysis of the British system of government and its politics more broadly, including the constitution; the government; Parliament; parties and the party system; elections and voting; the role of interest groups; policies; constitutional reform; and the impact of the European Union. The final module mark is based upon the following: 2,000 word essay (50%); a 2-hour unseen written exam (50%).
PIR-20077 Comparative Political Analysis O M 7.5 15
Comparative Politics is an important sub-field of Political Science that has been around since at least the time of Aristotle. Its prime concern is not with questions of how politics ought to be conducted, but with how it operates in the real world. It thus focuses on questions such as $ùwhat shapes the distribution and effectiveness of political participation?&©; $ùwhy do people vote the way they do?&©; $ùwhat are the effects of electoral systems?&©, $ùhow do political parties organise and compete?; $ùwhy do political executives dominate the legislature in some countries and not in others?&©; $ùcan we predict which coalitions will form and what factors are most likely to cause them to collapse?&© and $ùwhat is the most efficient way of distributing political power between the various territorial units of a state?&© In addressing such questions, this module will help you appreciate not only the variety of political institutions, processes and behaviour that exist in the modern world, but also the peculiarities, strengths and weaknesses of your own political system. Last but not least, it will provide a critical introduction to the language and methods of Comparative Politics. The module is assessed through a group presentation (30%) and unseen examination (70%).
PIR-20077 Comparative Political Analysis EP M 7.5 15
Comparative Politics is an important sub-field of Political Science that has been around since at least the time of Aristotle. Its prime concern is not with questions of how politics ought to be conducted, but with how it operates in the real world. It thus focuses on questions such as $ùwhat shapes the distribution and effectiveness of political participation?&©; $ùwhy do people vote the way they do?&©; $ùwhat are the effects of electoral systems?&©, $ùhow do political parties organise and compete?; $ùwhy do political executives dominate the legislature in some countries and not in others?&©; $ùcan we predict which coalitions will form and what factors are most likely to cause them to collapse?&© and $ùwhat is the most efficient way of distributing political power between the various territorial units of a state?&© In addressing such questions, this module will help you appreciate not only the variety of political institutions, processes and behaviour that exist in the modern world, but also the peculiarities, strengths and weaknesses of your own political system. Last but not least, it will provide a critical introduction to the language and methods of Comparative Politics. The module is assessed through a group presentation (30%) and unseen examination (70%).

Politics Major - Level 3 Modules

Semester 1 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
+ PIR-30094 The Global South EP M 7.5 15
Module Aims: a. To investigate The Global South from international relations and political science perspectives; b. To communicate regional understandings of the Indian Ocean and the Asia-Pacific; c. To review and analyse the growing literature on justice, sovereignty, environment and security in the Global South; d. To critically evaluate both theoretical and empirical writings which pertain to concepts of a North-South dichotomy; e. To investigate current literature on the central dimensions of critical geo-politics; f. To cultivate the critical skills needed to analyse the impacts of globalisation on majority worlds; g. To enable students to gain experience of individual research by gathering, organising, and deploying information (from primary and secondary sources), and by identifying, analysing and advocating potential solutions to problems h. To enable students to improve their oral presentation shills and to gain experience of participating in and facilitating group discussion. i. To communicate current debates and areas of new research in relation to major, contemporary issues pertaining to the Global South.
PIR-30108 Proliferation EP M 7.5 15
The aims of this module are to: (1) enable students to develop an informed understanding of the changing agenda of arms control in the post Cold War era and of the policy conflicts encountered in shaping the agenda of weapons proliferation control; (2) enable students to identify the political, technological, economic and moral factors that affect the formation, evolution and effectiveness of formal and informal multilateral and global regimes relevant to proliferation control Students will learn about the various factors affecting the agenda, modalities and outcomes of international proliferation control efforts, through conducting in-depth evaluations of the development, implementation and effectiveness of proliferation control policies in specific issue-areas. How does the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty work? What improvements need to be made to it? Why do some countries abandon weapons of mass destruction programmes while others try to develop or acquire such weapons? What can the international community do to persuade "threshold states" not to become nuclear weapons powers? Do "carrots" work better than "sticks?" What factors affect the likely effectiveness of efforts to coordinate export control policies covering conventional and non-conventional weapons and related technologies? Should bullets, mines and cluster bombs be as important as nuclear, chemical and biological weapons on the proliferation agenda of states, international organisations and the campaigning groups to be found in civil society? Are different dynamics at play when the agenda shifts to the humanitarian or human security level as distinct from the security of states? Students will develop their communication, team-working and leadership skills through giving presentations as part of a team in charge of leading their seminar group on two occasions, as well as refining their analytical and other intellectual skills. The assessment format is: two individual oral presentations as part of your student team (10% of the module mark, in total); 2500 word essay (40% of the module mark); 2-hour unseen exam (50% of the module mark).
PIR-30109 Politics and International Relations of the Middle East l EP M 7.5 15
This module aims to acquaint students with the domestic politics, foreign policies, and international relations of the Middle East region, stretching from Morocco in the West to Iran in the east. Students will be encouraged to develop a critical awareness of the historical, social, political and geopolitical transformations of Middle Eastern states by (a) acquiring knowledge of important actors and events in the region, and by (b) developing a critical understanding of the key scholarly and popular debates about domestic and international politics of regional states. Material covered will include the historical formation of the state system in the Middle East region, the role of collective identities and political ideologies in the politics of the region, the Cold War period and its impact on Middle East politics, Civil Wars in the Middle East and North Africa, the Arab-Israeli Wars, the Palestinians and the Peace Process, Iraq's Wars and Reconstruction, and American Middle East policy.
PIR-30115 End of Empire EP M 7.5 15
The dismantling of European overseas empires transformed the international scene, and its consequences continue to reverberate in international relations. For Britain in particular, with which this course is solely concerned, the end of empire was part and parcel of her rapid downhill decline. The course explores the factors which led to Britain&©s imperial decline; takes as its chronological starting point the shattering fall of Singapore in 1942; uses case studies to analyse how Britain sought to manage imperial decline and the process by which she transferred power; ends in the early 1960s when Britain applied to join the EEC and full-scale decolonization was under way. The course will not only consider how these developments took place, but will also seek to relate them to wider international issues and our overall understanding of international relations.
PIR-30117 The U.S. Presidency EP M 7.5 15
The high profile of the U.S. presidency is undeniable. Whether occupied by a Bush or an Obama, the office is also perceived as one of the most powerful institutions in the world. Yet, in a political system designed around a separation of powers, the capacity to lead is not guaranteed. This module allows you to consider the different techniques presidents use to lead and whether those techniques work. The module is taught in two-hour seminars and is assessed by a three-section portfolio (60%) and examination (40%). The portfolio is an opportunity for you to examine presidential leadership in a series of policy areas of your choice, while the examination asks you to consider the strengths and weaknesses of scholarship on the presidency.
PIR-30119 The Extreme Right in Western Europe EP M 7.5 15
Right-wing extremist parties have experienced success in elections in a number of countries in Western Europe over the last two or three decades. This phenomenon has attracted widespread attention, both in the media and in academic circles, sparking a number of frequently asked questions: why have these parties suddenly become electorally successful? What exactly do they stand for? What kind of people vote for them? Why do people vote for them? Why have they experienced more success in some countries than in others? Should we be worried about their rise? And what can we, or mainstream political parties, do to counter their rise? This module aims to examine all these questions. It begins by introducing students to the theoretical perspectives and key bodies of literature on the nature of right wing extremism in contemporary Western Europe, and it explores the complex conceptual, analytical and terminological debates surrounding this subject of enquiry. It then engages in empirical investigations into the the ideology and the electoral base of different right-wing extremist parties across Western Europe and, in so doing, it also examines the question of why some right-wing extremist parties have been electorally more successful than others. It finishes by exploring the impact that right-wing extremist parties have had on public debate, policy-making and party competition over the last 30 years and by considering how mainstream parties have attempted to counter the rise and growing influence of the parties of the extreme right. The module is delivered in weekly two-hour seminars. Assessment is based on the following: 0% group presentation; 50% 2,500 word essay; 50% 2-hour unseen examination
PIR-30123 Individual and Community EP C 7.5 15
This module aims to introduce students to cutting-edge work in contemporary political philosophy. It does this by focusing on an in depth examination of two major works by outstanding political philosophers: John Rawls, 'A Theory of Justice' and Robert Nozick, 'Anarchy, State and Utopia'. In addition to increasing their knowledge of contemporary political philosophy, the module will develop students' powers of comprehension, analysis, criticism and argument. It is assessed by two 2,500 word essays. The module is taught through a weekly two hour seminar in which students spend most of their time working together in small groups. The module will particularly enhance students' written communication skills and their ability to think and argue clearly and effectively.
PIR-30125 America and Europe: The Transatlantic Relationship EP M 7.5 15
Since the end of the Cold War, many commentators in Europe see the United States growing apart from its democratic neighbours and allies. At the same time, many in America see Europe - or certain European countries - as too 'soft' to face up to the challenges of the 21st century, especially as regard security issues. Why has this happened? The answers to this question are found in the various trends that shape advanced democratic states, rather than the current policies of particular governments. This module examines the evolution of different social, political and economic forces shaping Europe and America. It addresses whether the 'West' or the 'Atlantic Community'will continue to remain a coherent entity in the 21st century. The module unites international relations scholarship with comparative politics literature, thereby complementing the International Relations and the Politics programmes of SPIRE.
PIR-30133 Political Parties: Origins &Organization EP M 7.5 15
In 1942, Schattschneider argued that 'modern democracy is unthinkable save in terms of political parties'. Though they are the targets of at times severe criticism, especially in the media, political parties remain key actors in the theory and practice of contemporary democracy. This helps explain why political science has long been interested in why political parties come to be formed and how they organise themselves. This thematically structured module focuses on political parties in western Europe. It will commence with a consideration of the nature and origins of parties, as well as their role in modern democracy. Its prime concern will be on parties as organizations. This will involve a discussion of the various types of party organization that have been identified in the literature, as well as of issues related to parties&© internal life. The types of questions that will be addressed include the internal distribution of power; the size and compositon of party membership; rank-and-file participation in parties and how and why parties choose to adapt their organizations. Students are encouraged to take the linked module entitled 'Party Systems and Elections' (PIR-30132), but are not obliged to do so, as each module is self-contained.
PIR-30135 Regime Change in the Balkans EP M 7.5 15
Regime change in the Balkans is perceived as unfinished and problematic more than two decades after the collapse of communism. This module will introduce students to the communist and post-communist politics of Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, and the republics and regions of former Yugoslavia, within the context of change in the wider Balkans and Eastern Europe. The main themes covered by the course are: images of Balkan underdevelopment; the legacies of Sovietisation and national communism; transitions and modernisation in the new Balkan democracies; national, ethnic and religious problems; federalism, separatism and secession; the Yugoslav crisis zone; the place of the Balkans in European integration. The module consists of ten 2-hour seminars. The final module mark is based on: workbook/portfolio of weekly tasks (50%); 2-hour unseen written exam (50%).
Semester 1-2 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
PIR-30130 Dissertation in Politics and IR - ISP C C 15 30
Researching and writing a dissertation in Politics and/or International Relations during the final year of the undergraduate degree provides an opportunity for students to examine and investigate a specific topic, question or issue of their own choosing, in considerable depth. In addition, completing a dissertation enables students to develop critical transferable and employability skills, including key research skills, problem solving skills, information handling skills, and written communication skills. Students who have successfully completed a dissertation also demonstrate a clear ability to work independently and autonomously and to plan their activities and manage their time. This module provides the guidance students require to successfully undertake and complete a Level 3 dissertation in Politics and International Relations. It develops students&© knowledge of how research in the social sciences is planned, conducted and reported and it acquaints students with various forms of data, data collecting techniques, and types of analysis used in social science research. In addition, it develops and enhances students&© own research skills, including their ability to identify a dissertation topic and to formulate appropriate research questions; to identify, access and collate literature relevant to their dissertation; to apply existing or develop their own theoretical and conceptual frameworks; to identify and collect appropriate evidence/data; and to apply critical skills to formulate arguments, analyse evidence and reach conclusions so as to persuasively answer their research question. The module also develops students' ability to plan, structure and complete a more substantial piece of written work than is required for traditional 15 credit curriculum-based modules, and to conduct research independently and autonomously. The module is a 30 credit module and runs over both semesters. In the first semester, students attend ten 1-hour classes that focus on the different stages of the research process. Regular meetings between students and supervisor take place throughout both semesters. Assessment is based on a 1,500 word portfolio (submitted towards the end of Semester 1) which counts for 20% of the module mark, and a 8,500 word dissertation (submitted towards the end of Semester 2) which counts for the remaining 80% of the module mark.
Semester 2 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
PIR-30110 Politics and International Relations of the Middle East ll EP M 7.5 15
The present module aims to further develop an understanding, increasingly comprehensive and critical, of the policy and scholarly debates about the political actors, ideologies, and processes that shape politics and international relations of the contemporary Middle East. Students will be expected to evaluate and situate ideas (including their own) into these debates and present coherent and well-studied arguments in seminars as well as in assignments. Seminar topics will include: The political challenges of the non-Arab Middle East (Turkey, Israel, and Iran); ethnic and religious minorities in the Middle East; religious revivalism and identity politics; democratization and political reform; and gender and human rights in the region.
PIR-30112 The Northern Dimension: Resources, Environment and Security in the Arctic EP C 7.5 15
Drowning polar bears, crumbling shores on melting seas, resource races towards the North Pole and sovereignty disputes in the high Arctic - this is the stuff of current media content concerning the circumpolar North, the Arctic once sublime! The Arctic certainly is changing. Its resources, environment and security are gaining a much higher policy profile in North America, the EU and in global scientific, environmental and economic forums, not least in the context of rising awareness of the pace and consequences of global climate change. But is the Arctic region set to become a cauldron of conflict or a zone of low tension and practical, cooperative endeavour? The Northern Dimension module allows students to investigate aspects of the politics and international relations of the Arctic. Students identify their own topic for investigation, exploring a research question using paper-based and web-based resources. They may also engage in email communication with any one of almost twenty experts in Arctic matters - academic professors, campaigning activists, technical experts etc - who together make up the module's "Experts' Gallery" and form the cutting edge of the Northern Dimension learning community established to support this module. Students deliver the developing fruits of their individual research project in a succession of ways - as an oral presentation to the seminar group; as a 2,500-word essay/article; and, finally, as a website of their own making, employing easily available website-editing software that is relatively simple to master and can be downloaded for free onto their computers/laptops. A range of generic employability skills are firmed up in this module - oral presentation, team-working, independent working etc, while some less familiar ones such as communicating effectively through websites, are developed. The assessment format is: 10% individual oral presentation; 40% 2,500 word essay/article; 50% individual website.
PIR-30116 The Rise and Fall of the League of Nations EP M 7.5 15
Tremendous hopes were pinned on the League of Nations when it was created in 1919, and considerable effort was put into the the League's quest for peace. Recent research confounds outdated conventional wisdom about the League being, in effect, a useless organisation. It was, in Lord Robert Cecil's words a 'great experiment'. By studying its tremendous achievements as well as its well-known failures, students will gain a deeper appreciation of the nature of interntional relations between the wars; the possibilities and limitation of international cooperation; the nature of international organisation; and the nature of international life. By writing essays on particular aspects of the League students will expand their knowledge of those aspects that particularly interest them.
PIR-30118 Policing International Order EP C 7.5 15
Policing is an international activity As a key component of post-Cold War liberal strategies, police reform became central to international projects that aimed to transform $ùweak states&© into apolitical rule of law zones governed through security practices. From having a marginal role in UN peacekeeping operations, policing very quickly established itself as an indispensable aspect of international security.This role was further enhanced in the wake of terrorist attacks on New York, London, Madrid and Bali. Together with NGOs and state development agencies, the UN, the EU and the OSCE have been instrumental in the resultant internationalization and militarization of the police in the international realm. This module draws upon criminology, history, international relations and political philosophy in order to explore the causes and consequences of this development and to assess its impact on post-conflict societies.
PIR-30122 Eco-Cities: Visions of the Good City and Sustainable Development EP C 7.5 15
This module will provide students with an in-depth and systematic understanding the problem of urban sustainability. Eco-city design is presented as the critical interface between human culture and the ecological integrity of the biosphere. Students go on (i) to explore the significance of earlier utopian visions of 'the good city' for current discourses of urban sustainability, and (ii) to explore the relevance of a range of technical concepts from ecological economics and sustainability theory to the problem of eco-city design. The module seeks to engage students with recent institutional, theoretical and conceptual changes in relation to urban ecology and sustainability. The final module mark is based upon the following: a 2,500 word essay (50%); a 2-hour unseen written exam (50%) and a presentation (0%).
PIR-30126 Human Rights: Concepts, Norms and Identities EP M 7.5 15
The module examines core understandings of human rights as moral and legal norms that protect all persons from serious violations of their freedom and access to decent standards of living. It considers the normative validity of protections afforded by international human rights covenants to freedom of conscience; due process and access to fair trial; entitlements not to be enslaved or tortured; and to be protected from poverty and genocide. The first part of the module focuses in particular on theoretical debates surrounding the justification of human rights, inquiring whether interests in rational agency or material wellbeing serve as an adequate source of legitimacy. It examines Rawls&© famous Law of Peoples, which claims that the self-determination of non-liberal peoples must be respected, and that liberals cannot justifiably impose sanctions to secure liberal political rights for all citizens of the world. The controversy over global responsibilities is then examined. Does the human right to live free from poverty and malnutrition entail that citizens of rich countries bear $ùperfect&©, or non-negotiable, duties of justice to alleviate global poverty? Or is this not an absolute duty of justice but a matter of charity? Moreover, do rich governments have a duty to refuse to participate in a world order that systemically violates the rights of the world&©s poor? The later stages of the module pose more specific questions: can historical human rights abuses of apartheid regimes ever be forgiven, and do the formerly oppressed have a duty to relinquish just claims against their oppressors in the name of peace? Finally, the moral individualism presupposed by the concept of human rights is questioned from non-western, post-modern and feminist perspectives.
PIR-30128 Protest and social movements EP M 7.5 15
This course is about social movements and their role as vehicles of political protest and political and social change. Social movements are a universal phenomenon in modern societies and they have provoked controversy because they are generally critical of important features of the political or social system. Their critics might see them as extremists or hopelessly utopian while their supporters see in them the hope of more democracy or a better kind of society. The academic analysis of social movements does not escape these controversies, so one task that we will face in assessing different approaches to the study of social movements will be to disentangle the different views of the social world that underlie conflicting theories of protest and social movements. You will be expected to be able to comment on the strengths and weaknesses of explanatory theories of social movements, to place movements in a wider context and to assess the power relations and social forces that shape the political environment of social movements. The cases that we examine include: recent protests in Britain, protest against authoritarian regimes such as those in China, Burma and Eastern Europe pre-1989; protest movements in the global South such as the Zapatistas in Mexico, and feminist and environmental movements in Europe and North America. The themes that we cover include the place of protest in democracy, the evidence about how participates in protest and why, the kinds of protest action that social movement groups choose to pursue, the influence of the state and policing on protest, how radical activists organise and create alternative communities, and the different theoretical approaches to social movements.
PIR-30129 Environmental Politics in the USA EP M 7.5 15
The United States has a complex record of addressing environmental problems. Between 1965 and 1980 the country experienced a "golden age" of environmental policymaking when numerous laws were enacted to tackle problems such as air pollution, water pollution, and waste. Few new laws have been enacted in recent decades, however, leading some commentators to talk about "environmental gridlock" and describing the United States as a climate change "laggard". This module will examine the factors that drive environmental policymaking. Attention will be given to the nature of environmental problems, the role of interest groups and public opinion, and the way that political institutions and systems effect policymaking. Students will be required to write a position paper and a short research paper as part of their assessment, and will also be required to sit a two-hour examination.
PIR-30131 Education Politics and Policy EP C 7.5 15
Education has been the battleground for many competing policy ideas of the left and right. What ideologies and values drive policies in education? How do policy specialists analyse and compare these different approaches? This module will develop your skills in evaluating education policies. You will research and present answers to questions such as &«do religious schools teach more effectively and drive up overall test scores,&ª &«what effect do league tables have on teaching and the curriculum in schools and universities,&ª and &«do higher fees drive down student access to universities?&ª The module will identify frameworks that analysts use to study policies and practice using them on case studies. The content will consist of a comparison of education systems in the United Kingdom and United States, focusing on secondary and higher education. The two systems copy each other's policies, but have many stark differences in approach. Some key themes include the separation of church and state, local versus national control over schools and universities. Some previous study of public policy would be helpful, but is not required.
PIR-30132 Party Systems and Elections EP M 7.5 15
Modern democracy is characterised above all by a competitive struggle between political parties, who pursue votes as a means to obtain political office and achieve their policy goals. This module examines aspects of that competitive struggle (i.e. the 'party system'), which parties conduct not only in the electoral arena, but also in parliament and in (coalition) government. The module focuses on the western European experience. Examples of the type of questions it will address include the nature and origins of party systems; how we might best capture change in party competition, as well as the causes and significance of party system change. In addition, the module is likely to examine competing theories of voting behaviour; as well as the patterns, causes and significance of recent changes in electoral behaviour. Students are encouraged to take this module alongside that on parties' origins and organization (PIR-30133), but this is not essential and each is thus each self-contained.
PIR-30134 British State and Society during the Cold War EP C 7.5 15
This course offers an in-depth look at Britain's Cold War policies, and the multiple relationships between Britain's external policies and domestic politics and culture during the Cold War. Broadly speaking, it uses primarily a historical perspective to ask what was Britain's role in the Cold War, and how did the Cold War affect British people? The module begins with an examination of why Britain chose to develop and to sustain its own nuclear weapon; and it contemplates the basis of Britain's security policy through an exploration of British intelligence and perceptions of the Soviet threat. It entertains in detail the reasons for and implications of Britain's civil and home defence policies, and considers domestic films about the implications of nuclear war and the plans government drew up to cope (or not) with apocalypse. It then moves on to contemplate Britain's internal security regime, examining the state's perceptions of domestic enemies and the measures established to deal with them. Further, it considers dominant political discourses in the Cold War, and the dissemination, assimilation or rejection of these discourses, through an examination of British politics, and key films and novels of the Cold War era. For example, did the American CIA influence British party politics? Or what can James Bond tell us about ideas of the enemy in the Cold War climate? Students also have the opportunity to examine primary documents about the period, to visit the nuclear bunker at Hack Green, and to imagine what would have happened if nuclear war had come to Cold War Britain.... Suggested reading: Peter Hennessy, The Secret State: Whitehall and the Cold War (Penguin, 2003) Sean Greenwood, Britain in the Cold War, 1945-1991 (Macmillan, 1999) Tony Shaw, British Cinema and the Cold War (IB Tauris, 2000) Stephen Whitfield, Culture and the Cold War (John Hopkins, 1991) Teaching format: weekly 2-hour seminars Assessment: 30% Paper, 10% Class Participation, 60% Essay

Politics Minor - Level 1 Modules

Semester 1 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
PIR-10038 Why Politics Matters C C 7.5 15
This module provides an introduction to politics that strips it back to its essentials. We examine the core debates in the subject and show why argument and disagreement are perennial features of modern politics but also why politics is an integral feature of modern societies. Core questions in the first part of the course include - where does politics happen? Is it only about government, or can it also include politics in our daily lives, such as who looks after the children? Are we under the thumb of a ruling elite or does democracy mean that power is diffused widely in society? If democracy was the greatest political achievement of the twentieth century, is it now in trouble? Are people now more disenchanted with politics and are politicians less honest and more corrupt than they used to be? Has the state interfered too much in our lives or should government being doing more? What makes a good citizen and does being a good citizen include saying no to governments on occasion? There are no easy or universally-agreed answers to these questions, but trying to answer them will help you understand the forces that shape the world you live in, the choices that you have about how to live your life, and you will also learn how mere opinions do not make good political arguments. In the second part of the course you will deepen your understanding of the role of conflicting values in politics by working in a small group to understand how a contemporary political issue can be seen differently by different ideologies such as liberalism, conservatism and socialism. Even if you don't think of yourself as political, you will learn how you take political decisions and express political views every day. This module will allow you to understand why politics and your role in it matters. The course structure is based on whole group lectures and weekly seminars. You will study a workbook of readings and complete a range of tasks that will help you prepare for the seminars, write your essay and prepare for a small group presentation to the rest of your seminar group. You will receive guidance on how to build up a portfolio of research notes from lectures and reading and you will receive feedback on three pieces of assessed work: a book review done as a short class test (25%); a group presentation (25%) and a 1,500 word essay (50%).
PIR-10041 Introduction to International Relations EP M 7.5 15
This module is designed to provide a clear introduction to the academic study of International Relations and is useful to both beginning International Relations students and to students who would like to simply to find out what the subject is about and explore a few topics or issues in the module that particularly interest them. The module shows how the modern "society of states" came about and was affected by various factors such as nationalism and other ideologies, technology and a globalizing capitalist economy. It also gives students a basic understanding of the "traditional" perspectives in the academic discipline of International Relations and helps them to distinguish between these schools of thought. The ten topic-based lectures are accompanied by eight weekly meetings of each small seminar group. The seminar meetings fall into two kinds. In roughly half the seminars, students learn how to perform effectively in core aspects of University-level study such as: researching, planning and writing an essay; and examination preparation and technique. The other half of the tutorial meetings are devoted to discussion of the topics covered by the module, including: the evolution of the modern states system; Realist and "Idealist" perspectives on IR, violence and war; order, justice and fairness in international society; sovereignty and humanitarian intervention; and the transition from international to global society. Half way through the module, students receive a one-to-one personal meeting with their Module Tutor (lasting approximately ten minutes) in which they receive feedback on their essay plans and can discuss their progress in the module in general. Assessment format: 3-400 word essay plan (0% of the module mark, but non-submission of the essay plan will automatically trigger failure of the module); 1,000-word essay (50% of the module mark); two-hour unseen exam (50% of the module mark).
PIR-10042 Making and Shaping Foreign Policy EP C 7.5 15
This module gives a clear introduction to the study of foreign policy, which is one aspect of the academic discipline of International Relations. It is useful, therefore, for beginning students of International Relations. Yet it is also of interest to students who would simply like to find out what kinds of ideas and concepts are employed when we try to explain or evaluate the foreign policy behaviour of any country and to learn how to apply some of these to a particular country (the USA, Britain, Russia, Iran or China, for example). The 10 lectures in the module are accompanied by 10 weekly meetings of each small seminar group. Activity in the seminar groups is organised around the delivery of short oral presentations by 2-3 students each week, followed by group discussion and debate. Students thus develop the important employability skills of effective oral communication, team working and evaluating the work of one's colleagues in a constructive spirit. Students receive feedback from the Tutor (as well as from their fellow students) on their oral presentations and from the Tutor on their essay plans while the teaching is continuing. Assessment format: 0% essay plan (non-submission of the essay plan will result in failure of the module as a whole, irrespective of the marks achieved for the oral presentation and essay), 50% oral presentation; 50% essay.
PIR-10046 British Politics Since 1945 EP C 7.5 15
This module introduces students to the study of domestic and international dimensions of British politics. It presents an overview of the key debates that have shaped politics in Britain, such as the formation of the welfare state in Britain, Britain&©s post-war relationship with the United States of America, the Commonwealth and Europe, debates over Britain&©s economic decline, interpreting Thatcherism and the newness of New Labour. The module is organised into 12 lectures and 8 tutorials. Students are required to produce a literature review (30% of total module mark), and a 1,500 essay (70%).
PIR-10047 The politics of sustainability EP M 7.5 15
This module is designed to provide a clear and inspiring introduction to social scientific perspectives on environmental problems and the concept of sustainability. It is useful to both beginning Environment and Sustainability single honours students who require a solid grounding in enviromental social sciences as well as to students with a general interest in this timely and topical global issue. The module looks at the emergence of the 'environment' as an object of study, the historical processes leading to the contemporary discussion of 'sustainability' (and 'unsustainability') and the various ways in which political and social theorists, scientists, artists, fiction writers, and activists have interpreted a range of environmental problems and solutions in different contexts. Students will learn to recognise the political aspects of the environmental crisis and to understand how and why both 'environment' and 'sustainability' are essentially contested concepts. The ten topic-based lectures are complemented by ten weekly meetings of small tutorial groups. The tutorial sessions are organised by pre-assigned problem sheets that enable students to prepare to discuss and debate the academic content, as well as to practise core skills that will be required for successful University-level study -- such as paraphrasing an author's argument, using the Harvard system of referencing, attributing a concept to a specific school of thought, and constructing an effective argument. Tutorial group sessions enable students to develop the important verbal communication skills of effective question-posing and active listening. Feedback is given regularly by the tutor and by peers, in tutorials as well as in lectures. Assessment format: 35% problem sheets, 25% book review, 40% unseen exam.
Semester 2 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
PIR-10037 Introduction to Global Politics EP C 7.5 15
This module serves as an introduction to global politics. It asks students to consider their proximity to global politics. By focussing upon and understanding the role it plays, the module invites students to question how the state mediates between an individual's political outlook and events that occur in the international sphere that profoundly affect their lives. What is global and what is local - is the line that divides the two real? And what effect does it have on the way we think and act politically? The module explores how the state lays claim to being the primary actor within international politics in the fields of human rights, peace, security, culture, economics,the environment and the global commons. The module aims to help students develop their ability to critically evaluate the kinds of arguments made by academic experts and actual practitioners of global politics. The 10 lectures are accompanied by 10 one-hour tutorials in which students develop their presentational and team working skills by delivering an individual oral presentation and contributing to a group presentation to the class. Assessment format: 10% group presentation; 20% individual oral presentation; 70% essay.
PIR-10039 Debates in American Politics EP C 7.5 15
American Politics is driven by debate. Americans are divided over their foreign policy. Over social issues such as race and abortion, the U.S. has embarked upon debates so heated that they're sometimes referred to as the "culture wars". Then there are ongoing contests over areas such as education and environmental policy. This module will introduce to many of these debates. Each week, we look at a new policy area and get you to debate the rights and wrongs of current U.S. policy and where it should go next. The module also serves to introduce you to the subject of American Politics - it's all pitched at those new to the topic. Much of the module depends on your presentations, advocating one side or the other of a debate in a key policy area. Over the semester, you should learn about a series of policy debates, who's advocating what and develop your skills in presentation and argument.
PIR-10043 The Changing World: A History of International Relations since 1945 EP C 7.5 15
This module is designed to give a clear introduction to the academic study of International History within the discipline of international relations. It is useful for students of international relations, and also to students who would like to find out more about trends in world history and about key international events from the end of the second world war to the present day. The module covers the rise and fall of the Cold War, the global Cold War in Korea and Vietnam, European integration, decolonisation and nation building in Africa, the modern origins of the Arab Israeli conflict, the Yugoslavian civil wars, international terrorism and American foreign policy in the 1990s to the present. The ten topic-based lectures are accompanied by ten weekly meetings of small tutorial groups. In these tutorials, students will have the opportunity to debate key themes and questions on topics covered by the lectures. One tutorial will provide the opportunity for students to 'role play' the positions of different actors in a particular international crisis. Preparation for the tutorials is deliberately integrated into the assessment format: students will be able to use their preparatory work, and the skills developed in tutorials, in order to conduct the assessments. Students will be expected to prepare independently for seminars, but will work in small groups during the tutorials. There will also be two tutorials focused on study skills, specifically on using sources and on essay writing. The assessment for this module is 40% critique, and 60% essay. The critique is an opportunity for students to develop their skills, and to receive tutor feedback, in formulating an argument. Students will be expected to analyse one of the historical debates discussed in tutorials and to present their own argument supported by appropriate evidence. The essay will be submitted at the end of the course. Students will also have the opportunity to conduct a short referencing exercise, and to write a commentary on some of the source material discussed in the lectures. These assessments will not count towards the final mark.
PIR-10045 Justice, Authority and Power EP M 7.5 15
This module introduces students to the central debates in the history of Western political thought concerning justice and related concepts of political authority, power, liberty and the social contract. By posing critical questions concerning the nature and limits of state power, it provides a stimulating and enlightening opportunity for students in a wide range of disciplines, whether or not taking a principal degree in Politics, Philosophy and International Relations, to become familiar with the origin and development of the most influential ideas that have shaped modern states and societies. The module firstly examines core issues in classical political thought through a study of Plato and Aristotle. Their writings present controversial but significant arguments for the universality of justice, the common good and the justification of elite power. The second part focuses on modern approaches to justice that focus principally on individual liberty, the social contract and the difference between wielding power and possessing legitimate authority to rule. The theories of Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau contrast with those of the classical world, and are generally considered to have inaugurated the widespread defence of representative government and democracy around the world today. Ten lectures introduce the main concepts and thinkers covered in the module, and are accompanied by a corresponding number of weekly meetings of small one-hour tutorial groups. In these tutorials, students have the opportunity to debate specific themes and questions. Students are also asked to undertake self-assessed, summative multiple choice tests during the course of the module, and are encouraged to seek their tutors' advice with respect to any gaps in their knowledge that emerge as a result of these examinations. Students also receive prompt formative feedback on an essay-plan, which they are then asked to develop into a polished piece of written work, which is summatively assessed.
PIR-10055 Modern Democracies C M 7.5 15
This module introduces students to the comparative study of politics. The kinds of topics to be covered include: the ways in which we may study politics and evaluate democracies in a comparative fashion; different models used to compare democracies; how different modern democracies (including the UK, Germany, the USA, France and the European Union) fit into these models; the importance and the consequences of institutional structures and processes in democracies; the exporting of democratic institutions and processes. The module is organized into 10 lectures and 10 tutorials. Students are required to participate in tutorials to undertake a data analysis group exercise (10%) and an individual oral presentation (40%). They will also complete an unseen two-hour examination at the end of the semester (50%).

Politics Minor - Level 2 Modules

Semester 1 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
PIR-20041 Politics - Study Abroad I EP C 7.5 15
This is a module that is automatically allocated to the records our Keele level II students who are going to Study Abroad at a partner University for a semester of their second year and cannot be selected by any other level II students.
PIR-20042 Politics - Study Abroad II EP C 7.5 15
This is a module that is automatically allocated to the records our Keele level II students who are going to Study Abroad at a partner University for a semester of their second year and cannot be selected by any other level II students.
PIR-20063 Global Political Economy EP M 7.5 15
This module provides students with a broad understanding of theoretical and empirical aspects of Global Political Economy. The objectives of the course include: i) providing students with knowledge of a range of theoretical approaches to the study of global and international political economy; ii) presenting the major political themes in the historical development of the international economy; iii) providing students with an understanding of debates about the emergence and political consequences of a globalised economy, with its patterns of inequality; iv) exploring the prospects and politics of managing the global economy; v) equipping students with the conceptual and analytical skills needed to achieve a clear understanding of contemporary global political economy. Students further develop their oral and written communication skills, as well as their ability to conduct research in the literature of the discipline. The final module mark is based upon the following: oral presentation (10%), essay 50%), exam (40%).
PIR-20064 International Relations of the Environment EP M 7.5 15
As a global society of increasingly interdependent states, the world faces numerous problems stemming from the depletion of natural resources such as fish, forests, hydrocarbons and water and the deterioration of various aspects of the natural environment. Most of these are examples of common problems (we all independently experience them to varying degrees) or also shared problems (what each of us does or doesn't do about them affects how they are experienced by others). This poses many challenges for the development of national and international policies that will effectively address the global environmental agenda. Through a detailed examination of a selection of international environmental issue areas, students are introduced to some of the key analytical themes from the academic literature on the international relations of the environment. This enables students to analyse a number of common or shared conservation and environmental protection challenges that many states and parts of the world face, and to critically evaluate the proposed solutions. The issues and themes covered in the module usually include: how issues get on the international environmental agenda; the environment in international affairs; the contribution of the discipline of IR to understanding international environmental affairs; patterns of sovereignty and jurisdiction affecting transboundary resources and pollutants; actors, factors and effectiveness in international environmental regimes; environment and security; the International Whaling Regime; The African Elephant in international trade; high seas fisheries; tropical rainforests; the ozone layer; climate change; trade and the environment. Other topics which sometimes feature in the module include: Antarctica; the deep seabed; the global trade in hazardous waste; persistent organic pollutants. There are 15 one-hour lectures. Each tutorial group meets fortnightly for a total of 5 one-hour sessions. Students work in teams to coordinate their class contributions as well as working individually on the topics which especially interest them, further developing their ability to conduct research using a variety of sources in order to analyse some of the policy problems encountered in the quest for ecologically sustainable development. The final module mark is based upon the following: short oral presentation to the class (10%); 2,000 word essay (40%); 2-hour unseen written examination (50%).
PIR-20067 Environmental Politics and Policy EP C 7.5 15
This module provides a level two introduction to some of the key historical, theoretical and practical dimensions of environmental politics and policy. In particular it aims to explore: &· The political nature of environmental problems and controversies; &· The diverse historical, political, and cultural roots of contemporary environmental problems and controversies; &· Connections between local and global environmental issues; &· Challenges posed by environmental issues to political institutions; &· Power relationships between developed and developing countries, and between social groups within political communities; and the various strategies and tactics used to bring about environmental change, such as government policy-making and regulation, corporate environmental responsibility,and social movement activism. Emphasis is placed on the complexity of contemporary environmental issues and controversies, and on developing the skills necessary to analyse them critically, and thus respond to them effectively. The module enables students to develop their argumentation and communication skills. Students will be assessed on a portfolio of 5 short pieces of writing designed to develop argumentation skills (50%), a mid-term class test (formative) and a research essay (50%).
PIR-20069 Approaches to Political Analysis C C 7.5 15
How should you analyse politics? This question can prove highly controversial. Politics is a broad discipline that encompasses many different ways of researching that include different methods, different ways of measuring things, different definitions of what constitutes $ùevidence&©, and even different conceptions of how we 'know what we know' in politics. This course will familiarise you with these debates and give you an introduction to the different approaches you may encounter. It provides an excellent preparation for planning for your dissertation in the third year. The module takes a hands on approach to these debates, and will get you to try out different forms of analysis on a series of actual cases that you will recognise from the news. These cases include such topics as how to analyse a political film and why people are turned off politics.
PIR-20070 The UN in world politics EP M 7.5 15
The United Nations has shaped international relations in multiple, complex and significant ways, but has not had the kind of impact for which many people hoped. Students taking this course will be able to explain why. They will analyse the interplay between world politics and international organisation by reference to the background to the creation of the United Nations; the lessons learned from the failure (and successes) of the UN's predecessor, the League of Nations; the policies of member states; and the international environment. Students will have the opportunity to work in teams as well as study topics that particulary interest them. In so doing they will further develop their ability to conduct research using a variety of sources to analyse the role of the UN in world politics. Assessment will be by means of one 2,000-word essay (50 per cent) and one two-hour unseen examination (50 per cent).
PIR-20071 U.S Government and Politics EP M 7.5 15
Through a detailed examination and analysis of the US governmental institutions, political parties, voting behaviour, interest groups, and public opinion, students will gain an understanding how the mass public can influence the making of public policy. This approach will enable students to identify, research, analyse and comment on the key issues facing the US political system developing their understanding of the interactivity of its component parts. An analysis of the literature will introduce students to the different conceptual frameworks and methodologies that have been adopted by leading US political scientists providing an intellectually rigorous training for the further study of the US political system. Students will also have the opportunity to work on topics which interest them for their written work, further developing their ability to conduct research using a variety of souces in a multi-media context in order to analyse some of the major challenges facing US political institutions and political society. The final module mark is based upon a 3 x 1000-word portfolios (60%) and a 2 hour written examination (40%).
PIR-20076 Contemporary International Relations Theory EP C 7.5 15
This module provides students with a broad theoretical understanding of the main areas of study in International Relations. It introduces students to the most influential ideas and writings in the field of IR. Through the in-depth analysis of leading scholars it analyses the methods that underpin contemporary interpretations of international relations. It enables students themselves to critique the various theoretical approaches involved with researching and writing about international relations. Throughout the module, there is a strong emphasis on applying the concepts and problems of IR theory to contemporary events. The 15 one-hour lectures explain the various approaches to interpreting IR. The 7 one-hour meetings of each tutorial group compare how particular themes in international relations are addressed by authors from different schools of thought, employing small-group work and plenary discussion amongst the whole class.
PIR-20078 Russian Politics and Society EP M 7.5 15
The theme of this module is the most important political experiment of the twentieth century - the attempt to build communism in Russia. We look at: * the ideological, cultural and political origins of communism * the political, economic and social systems created under Lenin and Stalin * the gradual decline of the Soviet system under Stalin's successors * the causes of the collapse of Soviet communism in the Gorbachev period * communism's legacy and the postcommunist Russian political system * prospects for democracy in contemporary Russia The module will consist of 12 lectures and 8 x 1 hour tutorials. Assessment is via a portfolio of 5 short blogs on tutorial content (total 3000 words) and a final seen examination, which will address the 'big' questions raised by the module content: what was communism's appeal, what were the structural problems of the Soviet system, why did this system eventually collapse, what is its legacy, and where is Russia heading in the current period. Indicative reading: Robert Service: A History of Modern Russia (2003); Edwin Bacon with Matthew Wyman, Contemporary Russia (2005); Stephen White et al, Developments in Russian Politics 7 (2009)
Semester 2 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
PIR-20046 Politics - Study Abroad V EP C 7.5 15
This is a module that is automatically allocated to the records our Keele level II students who are going to Study Abroad at a partner University for a semester of their second year and cannot be selected by any other level II students.
PIR-20047 Politics - Study Abroad VI EP C 7.5 15
This is a module that is automatically allocated to the records our Keele level II students who are going to Study Abroad at a partner University for a semester of their second year and cannot be selected by any other level II students.
PIR-20061 Peace, Conflict and Security: Theories and Practice EP M 7.5 15
This module introduces students to the problem of security as it is addressed in the academic discipline of International Relations and as it is understood by practicioners of international politics at the level of governments and other kinds of actors in world politics. The study of security is still the single most influential sub-discipline within International Relations and the search for security in its various forms is at the heart of many activities and policies at the international level. Through this module students become familiar with the key conceptual debates in the literature on international security and come to appreciate the implications of these debates for events in the real world of international politics. They develop the ability to apply a range of relevant ideas about the nature of conflict and conflict resolution to gain a critical understanding of how security questions develop and how the security agenda is shaped, looking especially at the elements of continuity and change in the security agenda since the Cold War began to wane in the mid-1980s through to the 2010s. In addition to learning how to analyse key aspects of the security problematique - a set of problems, concepts, and theoretical debates that still lie near the heart of the discipline of International Relations - students refine their ability to conduct independent research, to evaluate and employ abstract concepts and theories in making sense of and evaluating potential solutions to real-world problems, and effectively to communicate complex arguments supported by appropriate evidence. The final module mark is based upon the following: 750-word annotated bibliography (15%); 2,000 word essay (45%); 2-hour unseen written exam (40%).
PIR-20062 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OF EURASIA: Challenges of Globalisation and Geopolitics EP C 7.5 15
Eurasia, the vast lands between China and Germany, has emerged as the world's axial super-continent, which is now serving as the decisive geopolitical chessboard, both for political/military and economic reasons. Eurasia accounts for 75 percent of the world's population, 60 percent of its GNP, and 75 percent of its energy resources. Collectively, Eurasia's power overshadows even America's. The geopolitics of the region is therefore a significant matter. On a lighter note, it is even the setting and plot device for one of the latest James Bond movies. This module looks at the struggle between the processes of globalisation and geopolitical forces since the end of the Second World War. One of the most significant characteristics of the Eurasian heartland is its central location in relation to the major sedentary civilisations of the past and present. Over the centuries, these lands have come under the sway of several great world-historical civilisations and empires: the Eastern Roman or Byzantine, Mongolian, Ottoman, Holy Roman, Austro-Hungarian, Russian, and Soviet. These lands have felt the influence of Orthodox Christianity, Catholicism, Protestanism, Judaism, Islam, and world communism. At the intersection of many powerful global forces, these lands have experienced with particular sharpness what is called &«modernisation&ª and its challenge to customary ways of life. In addition, the collapse of Soviet domination and communist regimes across this region has dramatically increased its importance for the global economy. The Eurasian heartland, which has for a number of years been in the process of becoming a region of major strategic importance, has often been treated as peripheral to other fields of study such as study of Russia or China. Perhaps more than any other region of the world, the Eurasian heartland has become an avenue of the much-mentioned condition of multipolarity in world affairs. Students conduct independent research on a research question that they have individually identified. The final module mark is based upon the following: tutorial performance (15%); a Short Paper of 1,000 words planning out the research project (25%); and a 3,000-word Research Paper (60%).
PIR-20065 The Practice of Politics EP C 7.5 15
This module involves exploration of a number of interrelated personal and political questions. Through engaging with the module fully, you will, by the end of it, have clearer answers to at least some of the following questions: Personal Development - What am I good at? - What do I enjoy doing? - What are my motivations? - What are my priorities? - How can I become more effective? Future Careers - What is it like to work in various different kinds of political career? - How do careers develop? - What kind of work do I want? - What do I need to do in order to get the kind of work I want? Political Action - How can I communicate about politics more effectively? - How can I influence others? - How can I improve my $ùpeople&© skills? - How can I be an effective leader? Political Communication and Leadership - When are political leaders effective? - When do campaigns succeed? - What are the features of effective public speaking in a variety of contexts? The module will be taught in 12 x 2-hour workshops which will consist of a combination of instruction, small and large group discussion and practical exercises. Rather than prior reading the focus will be on practical activities in the workshop and afterwards. Participants will also be given the opportunity to practice public speaking and media and interview skills as part of a presentation day. Assessment will be through a research report which involves either a study of an individual political leader, a policy brief on a current controversy, or an analysis of great political speeches (worth 50% of marks), and a portfolio including a number of reflections on individual skill areas, as well as a number of documents relating to the process of career management and development (50%).
PIR-20066 Freedom and Equality O M 7.5 15
This module provides an introduction to two of the most widely debated concepts in contemporary political theory. Freedom and equality are amongst the central values of modern political life, and inform many campaigns for justice around the world today. The module focuses on current thinking about the meaning, justification and political application of these concepts. Through examining the ideas of leading contemporary political theorists and philosophers, students gain a better understanding of two of the most interesting and important concepts in contemporary political thought and practice. The module firstly examines Isaiah Berlin's famous distinction between 'negative' and 'positive' freedom. We ask whether justice involves ensuring citizens' freedom from physical harm or other forms of danger; or whether freedom is a matter of achieving goals that one sets for oneself - i.e., autonomy. The distinction between 'positive' and 'negative' freedom is applied to the topical debate about free speech in liberal societies. The second part of the module focuses on equality. Why is equality valuable? Is it more valuable than freedom? Should egalitarians be committed to securing equal opportunities or equal outcomes? Pressing issues of equality between present and future generations and between different nations are also considered. Fifteen lectures introduce the main concepts and thinkers covered in the module, and are accompanied by seven meetings of small one-hour tutorial groups. In the tutorials students have an opportunity to engage in structured discussions about particular themes and questions. The assessment for this course comprises an essay plan, to be written in the middle of the semester, followed by an essay and unseen examination at the end of the course.
PIR-20066 Freedom and Equality EP M 7.5 15
This module provides an introduction to two of the most widely debated concepts in contemporary political theory. Freedom and equality are amongst the central values of modern political life, and inform many campaigns for justice around the world today. The module focuses on current thinking about the meaning, justification and political application of these concepts. Through examining the ideas of leading contemporary political theorists and philosophers, students gain a better understanding of two of the most interesting and important concepts in contemporary political thought and practice. The module firstly examines Isaiah Berlin's famous distinction between 'negative' and 'positive' freedom. We ask whether justice involves ensuring citizens' freedom from physical harm or other forms of danger; or whether freedom is a matter of achieving goals that one sets for oneself - i.e., autonomy. The distinction between 'positive' and 'negative' freedom is applied to the topical debate about free speech in liberal societies. The second part of the module focuses on equality. Why is equality valuable? Is it more valuable than freedom? Should egalitarians be committed to securing equal opportunities or equal outcomes? Pressing issues of equality between present and future generations and between different nations are also considered. Fifteen lectures introduce the main concepts and thinkers covered in the module, and are accompanied by seven meetings of small one-hour tutorial groups. In the tutorials students have an opportunity to engage in structured discussions about particular themes and questions. The assessment for this course comprises an essay plan, to be written in the middle of the semester, followed by an essay and unseen examination at the end of the course.
PIR-20068 Why Policy Changes O C 7.5 15
Why do some policies change while others stay the same? Ultimately, most politics is about what governments do, or don't do. While many scholars of politics work in specific fields (e.g. legislatures, transport policy), those working in the field of public policy try to explain the whole: how does the system fit together to produce change or continuity in the way the government acts? That questions raises further issues: how do agendas work?, how do people in a policy area work together or compete with one another?, how does policy reflect people's political interests? This module introduces you to the work and methods of these scholars. There are three assessments for the module: two short written pieces which ask you to consider two particular areas of public policy scholarship (each of 1200 words and each worth 25% of your final module mark) and a policy analysis essay examining a policy area of your choice (2000 words, worth 50% of your final module mark). So, if you've ever wondered about questions of policy, such as why the trains don't run on time, or why you're paying fees to study at university, this module might help you understand.
PIR-20068 Why Policy Changes EP C 7.5 15
Why do some policies change while others stay the same? Ultimately, most politics is about what governments do, or don't do. While many scholars of politics work in specific fields (e.g. legislatures, transport policy), those working in the field of public policy try to explain the whole: how does the system fit together to produce change or continuity in the way the government acts? That questions raises further issues: how do agendas work?, how do people in a policy area work together or compete with one another?, how does policy reflect people's political interests? This module introduces you to the work and methods of these scholars. There are three assessments for the module: two short written pieces which ask you to consider two particular areas of public policy scholarship (each of 1200 words and each worth 25% of your final module mark) and a policy analysis essay examining a policy area of your choice (2000 words, worth 50% of your final module mark). So, if you've ever wondered about questions of policy, such as why the trains don't run on time, or why you're paying fees to study at university, this module might help you understand.
PIR-20073 European Union: Institutions and Policies EP M 7.5 15
This module introduces students to the study of European integration and its historical setting, then proceeds to describe and analyse the workings of its main institutions and selected policies. The institutions covered are the Commission, Council of Ministers, the European Parliament and the Court of Justice. Issues discussed include 'how democratic is the EU', 'how does the EU change the domestic politics of its members', 'is the EU a global power?, and finally 'what is the effect of new countries joining the EU'. The assessment for this module is based on: one 2,000-word essay (50%), and one 2-hour unseen written examination (50%).
PIR-20074 British Government and Politics EP M 7.5 15
This module seeks to offer an in-depth analysis of the British system of government and its politics more broadly, including the constitution; the government; Parliament; parties and the party system; elections and voting; the role of interest groups; policies; constitutional reform; and the impact of the European Union. The final module mark is based upon the following: 2,000 word essay (50%); a 2-hour unseen written exam (50%).
PIR-20077 Comparative Political Analysis O M 7.5 15
Comparative Politics is an important sub-field of Political Science that has been around since at least the time of Aristotle. Its prime concern is not with questions of how politics ought to be conducted, but with how it operates in the real world. It thus focuses on questions such as $ùwhat shapes the distribution and effectiveness of political participation?&©; $ùwhy do people vote the way they do?&©; $ùwhat are the effects of electoral systems?&©, $ùhow do political parties organise and compete?; $ùwhy do political executives dominate the legislature in some countries and not in others?&©; $ùcan we predict which coalitions will form and what factors are most likely to cause them to collapse?&© and $ùwhat is the most efficient way of distributing political power between the various territorial units of a state?&© In addressing such questions, this module will help you appreciate not only the variety of political institutions, processes and behaviour that exist in the modern world, but also the peculiarities, strengths and weaknesses of your own political system. Last but not least, it will provide a critical introduction to the language and methods of Comparative Politics. The module is assessed through a group presentation (30%) and unseen examination (70%).
PIR-20077 Comparative Political Analysis EP M 7.5 15
Comparative Politics is an important sub-field of Political Science that has been around since at least the time of Aristotle. Its prime concern is not with questions of how politics ought to be conducted, but with how it operates in the real world. It thus focuses on questions such as $ùwhat shapes the distribution and effectiveness of political participation?&©; $ùwhy do people vote the way they do?&©; $ùwhat are the effects of electoral systems?&©, $ùhow do political parties organise and compete?; $ùwhy do political executives dominate the legislature in some countries and not in others?&©; $ùcan we predict which coalitions will form and what factors are most likely to cause them to collapse?&© and $ùwhat is the most efficient way of distributing political power between the various territorial units of a state?&© In addressing such questions, this module will help you appreciate not only the variety of political institutions, processes and behaviour that exist in the modern world, but also the peculiarities, strengths and weaknesses of your own political system. Last but not least, it will provide a critical introduction to the language and methods of Comparative Politics. The module is assessed through a group presentation (30%) and unseen examination (70%).

Politics Minor - Level 3 Modules

Semester 1 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
+ PIR-30094 The Global South EP M 7.5 15
Module Aims: a. To investigate The Global South from international relations and political science perspectives; b. To communicate regional understandings of the Indian Ocean and the Asia-Pacific; c. To review and analyse the growing literature on justice, sovereignty, environment and security in the Global South; d. To critically evaluate both theoretical and empirical writings which pertain to concepts of a North-South dichotomy; e. To investigate current literature on the central dimensions of critical geo-politics; f. To cultivate the critical skills needed to analyse the impacts of globalisation on majority worlds; g. To enable students to gain experience of individual research by gathering, organising, and deploying information (from primary and secondary sources), and by identifying, analysing and advocating potential solutions to problems h. To enable students to improve their oral presentation shills and to gain experience of participating in and facilitating group discussion. i. To communicate current debates and areas of new research in relation to major, contemporary issues pertaining to the Global South.
PIR-30108 Proliferation EP M 7.5 15
The aims of this module are to: (1) enable students to develop an informed understanding of the changing agenda of arms control in the post Cold War era and of the policy conflicts encountered in shaping the agenda of weapons proliferation control; (2) enable students to identify the political, technological, economic and moral factors that affect the formation, evolution and effectiveness of formal and informal multilateral and global regimes relevant to proliferation control Students will learn about the various factors affecting the agenda, modalities and outcomes of international proliferation control efforts, through conducting in-depth evaluations of the development, implementation and effectiveness of proliferation control policies in specific issue-areas. How does the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty work? What improvements need to be made to it? Why do some countries abandon weapons of mass destruction programmes while others try to develop or acquire such weapons? What can the international community do to persuade "threshold states" not to become nuclear weapons powers? Do "carrots" work better than "sticks?" What factors affect the likely effectiveness of efforts to coordinate export control policies covering conventional and non-conventional weapons and related technologies? Should bullets, mines and cluster bombs be as important as nuclear, chemical and biological weapons on the proliferation agenda of states, international organisations and the campaigning groups to be found in civil society? Are different dynamics at play when the agenda shifts to the humanitarian or human security level as distinct from the security of states? Students will develop their communication, team-working and leadership skills through giving presentations as part of a team in charge of leading their seminar group on two occasions, as well as refining their analytical and other intellectual skills. The assessment format is: two individual oral presentations as part of your student team (10% of the module mark, in total); 2500 word essay (40% of the module mark); 2-hour unseen exam (50% of the module mark).
PIR-30109 Politics and International Relations of the Middle East l EP M 7.5 15
This module aims to acquaint students with the domestic politics, foreign policies, and international relations of the Middle East region, stretching from Morocco in the West to Iran in the east. Students will be encouraged to develop a critical awareness of the historical, social, political and geopolitical transformations of Middle Eastern states by (a) acquiring knowledge of important actors and events in the region, and by (b) developing a critical understanding of the key scholarly and popular debates about domestic and international politics of regional states. Material covered will include the historical formation of the state system in the Middle East region, the role of collective identities and political ideologies in the politics of the region, the Cold War period and its impact on Middle East politics, Civil Wars in the Middle East and North Africa, the Arab-Israeli Wars, the Palestinians and the Peace Process, Iraq's Wars and Reconstruction, and American Middle East policy.
PIR-30115 End of Empire EP M 7.5 15
The dismantling of European overseas empires transformed the international scene, and its consequences continue to reverberate in international relations. For Britain in particular, with which this course is solely concerned, the end of empire was part and parcel of her rapid downhill decline. The course explores the factors which led to Britain&©s imperial decline; takes as its chronological starting point the shattering fall of Singapore in 1942; uses case studies to analyse how Britain sought to manage imperial decline and the process by which she transferred power; ends in the early 1960s when Britain applied to join the EEC and full-scale decolonization was under way. The course will not only consider how these developments took place, but will also seek to relate them to wider international issues and our overall understanding of international relations.
PIR-30117 The U.S. Presidency EP M 7.5 15
The high profile of the U.S. presidency is undeniable. Whether occupied by a Bush or an Obama, the office is also perceived as one of the most powerful institutions in the world. Yet, in a political system designed around a separation of powers, the capacity to lead is not guaranteed. This module allows you to consider the different techniques presidents use to lead and whether those techniques work. The module is taught in two-hour seminars and is assessed by a three-section portfolio (60%) and examination (40%). The portfolio is an opportunity for you to examine presidential leadership in a series of policy areas of your choice, while the examination asks you to consider the strengths and weaknesses of scholarship on the presidency.
PIR-30119 The Extreme Right in Western Europe EP M 7.5 15
Right-wing extremist parties have experienced success in elections in a number of countries in Western Europe over the last two or three decades. This phenomenon has attracted widespread attention, both in the media and in academic circles, sparking a number of frequently asked questions: why have these parties suddenly become electorally successful? What exactly do they stand for? What kind of people vote for them? Why do people vote for them? Why have they experienced more success in some countries than in others? Should we be worried about their rise? And what can we, or mainstream political parties, do to counter their rise? This module aims to examine all these questions. It begins by introducing students to the theoretical perspectives and key bodies of literature on the nature of right wing extremism in contemporary Western Europe, and it explores the complex conceptual, analytical and terminological debates surrounding this subject of enquiry. It then engages in empirical investigations into the the ideology and the electoral base of different right-wing extremist parties across Western Europe and, in so doing, it also examines the question of why some right-wing extremist parties have been electorally more successful than others. It finishes by exploring the impact that right-wing extremist parties have had on public debate, policy-making and party competition over the last 30 years and by considering how mainstream parties have attempted to counter the rise and growing influence of the parties of the extreme right. The module is delivered in weekly two-hour seminars. Assessment is based on the following: 0% group presentation; 50% 2,500 word essay; 50% 2-hour unseen examination
PIR-30123 Individual and Community EP C 7.5 15
This module aims to introduce students to cutting-edge work in contemporary political philosophy. It does this by focusing on an in depth examination of two major works by outstanding political philosophers: John Rawls, 'A Theory of Justice' and Robert Nozick, 'Anarchy, State and Utopia'. In addition to increasing their knowledge of contemporary political philosophy, the module will develop students' powers of comprehension, analysis, criticism and argument. It is assessed by two 2,500 word essays. The module is taught through a weekly two hour seminar in which students spend most of their time working together in small groups. The module will particularly enhance students' written communication skills and their ability to think and argue clearly and effectively.
PIR-30125 America and Europe: The Transatlantic Relationship EP M 7.5 15
Since the end of the Cold War, many commentators in Europe see the United States growing apart from its democratic neighbours and allies. At the same time, many in America see Europe - or certain European countries - as too 'soft' to face up to the challenges of the 21st century, especially as regard security issues. Why has this happened? The answers to this question are found in the various trends that shape advanced democratic states, rather than the current policies of particular governments. This module examines the evolution of different social, political and economic forces shaping Europe and America. It addresses whether the 'West' or the 'Atlantic Community'will continue to remain a coherent entity in the 21st century. The module unites international relations scholarship with comparative politics literature, thereby complementing the International Relations and the Politics programmes of SPIRE.
PIR-30133 Political Parties: Origins &Organization EP M 7.5 15
In 1942, Schattschneider argued that 'modern democracy is unthinkable save in terms of political parties'. Though they are the targets of at times severe criticism, especially in the media, political parties remain key actors in the theory and practice of contemporary democracy. This helps explain why political science has long been interested in why political parties come to be formed and how they organise themselves. This thematically structured module focuses on political parties in western Europe. It will commence with a consideration of the nature and origins of parties, as well as their role in modern democracy. Its prime concern will be on parties as organizations. This will involve a discussion of the various types of party organization that have been identified in the literature, as well as of issues related to parties&© internal life. The types of questions that will be addressed include the internal distribution of power; the size and compositon of party membership; rank-and-file participation in parties and how and why parties choose to adapt their organizations. Students are encouraged to take the linked module entitled 'Party Systems and Elections' (PIR-30132), but are not obliged to do so, as each module is self-contained.
PIR-30135 Regime Change in the Balkans EP M 7.5 15
Regime change in the Balkans is perceived as unfinished and problematic more than two decades after the collapse of communism. This module will introduce students to the communist and post-communist politics of Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, and the republics and regions of former Yugoslavia, within the context of change in the wider Balkans and Eastern Europe. The main themes covered by the course are: images of Balkan underdevelopment; the legacies of Sovietisation and national communism; transitions and modernisation in the new Balkan democracies; national, ethnic and religious problems; federalism, separatism and secession; the Yugoslav crisis zone; the place of the Balkans in European integration. The module consists of ten 2-hour seminars. The final module mark is based on: workbook/portfolio of weekly tasks (50%); 2-hour unseen written exam (50%).
Semester 2 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
PIR-30110 Politics and International Relations of the Middle East ll EP M 7.5 15
The present module aims to further develop an understanding, increasingly comprehensive and critical, of the policy and scholarly debates about the political actors, ideologies, and processes that shape politics and international relations of the contemporary Middle East. Students will be expected to evaluate and situate ideas (including their own) into these debates and present coherent and well-studied arguments in seminars as well as in assignments. Seminar topics will include: The political challenges of the non-Arab Middle East (Turkey, Israel, and Iran); ethnic and religious minorities in the Middle East; religious revivalism and identity politics; democratization and political reform; and gender and human rights in the region.
PIR-30112 The Northern Dimension: Resources, Environment and Security in the Arctic EP C 7.5 15
Drowning polar bears, crumbling shores on melting seas, resource races towards the North Pole and sovereignty disputes in the high Arctic - this is the stuff of current media content concerning the circumpolar North, the Arctic once sublime! The Arctic certainly is changing. Its resources, environment and security are gaining a much higher policy profile in North America, the EU and in global scientific, environmental and economic forums, not least in the context of rising awareness of the pace and consequences of global climate change. But is the Arctic region set to become a cauldron of conflict or a zone of low tension and practical, cooperative endeavour? The Northern Dimension module allows students to investigate aspects of the politics and international relations of the Arctic. Students identify their own topic for investigation, exploring a research question using paper-based and web-based resources. They may also engage in email communication with any one of almost twenty experts in Arctic matters - academic professors, campaigning activists, technical experts etc - who together make up the module's "Experts' Gallery" and form the cutting edge of the Northern Dimension learning community established to support this module. Students deliver the developing fruits of their individual research project in a succession of ways - as an oral presentation to the seminar group; as a 2,500-word essay/article; and, finally, as a website of their own making, employing easily available website-editing software that is relatively simple to master and can be downloaded for free onto their computers/laptops. A range of generic employability skills are firmed up in this module - oral presentation, team-working, independent working etc, while some less familiar ones such as communicating effectively through websites, are developed. The assessment format is: 10% individual oral presentation; 40% 2,500 word essay/article; 50% individual website.
PIR-30116 The Rise and Fall of the League of Nations EP M 7.5 15
Tremendous hopes were pinned on the League of Nations when it was created in 1919, and considerable effort was put into the the League's quest for peace. Recent research confounds outdated conventional wisdom about the League being, in effect, a useless organisation. It was, in Lord Robert Cecil's words a 'great experiment'. By studying its tremendous achievements as well as its well-known failures, students will gain a deeper appreciation of the nature of interntional relations between the wars; the possibilities and limitation of international cooperation; the nature of international organisation; and the nature of international life. By writing essays on particular aspects of the League students will expand their knowledge of those aspects that particularly interest them.
PIR-30118 Policing International Order EP C 7.5 15
Policing is an international activity As a key component of post-Cold War liberal strategies, police reform became central to international projects that aimed to transform $ùweak states&© into apolitical rule of law zones governed through security practices. From having a marginal role in UN peacekeeping operations, policing very quickly established itself as an indispensable aspect of international security.This role was further enhanced in the wake of terrorist attacks on New York, London, Madrid and Bali. Together with NGOs and state development agencies, the UN, the EU and the OSCE have been instrumental in the resultant internationalization and militarization of the police in the international realm. This module draws upon criminology, history, international relations and political philosophy in order to explore the causes and consequences of this development and to assess its impact on post-conflict societies.
PIR-30122 Eco-Cities: Visions of the Good City and Sustainable Development EP C 7.5 15
This module will provide students with an in-depth and systematic understanding the problem of urban sustainability. Eco-city design is presented as the critical interface between human culture and the ecological integrity of the biosphere. Students go on (i) to explore the significance of earlier utopian visions of 'the good city' for current discourses of urban sustainability, and (ii) to explore the relevance of a range of technical concepts from ecological economics and sustainability theory to the problem of eco-city design. The module seeks to engage students with recent institutional, theoretical and conceptual changes in relation to urban ecology and sustainability. The final module mark is based upon the following: a 2,500 word essay (50%); a 2-hour unseen written exam (50%) and a presentation (0%).
PIR-30126 Human Rights: Concepts, Norms and Identities EP M 7.5 15
The module examines core understandings of human rights as moral and legal norms that protect all persons from serious violations of their freedom and access to decent standards of living. It considers the normative validity of protections afforded by international human rights covenants to freedom of conscience; due process and access to fair trial; entitlements not to be enslaved or tortured; and to be protected from poverty and genocide. The first part of the module focuses in particular on theoretical debates surrounding the justification of human rights, inquiring whether interests in rational agency or material wellbeing serve as an adequate source of legitimacy. It examines Rawls&© famous Law of Peoples, which claims that the self-determination of non-liberal peoples must be respected, and that liberals cannot justifiably impose sanctions to secure liberal political rights for all citizens of the world. The controversy over global responsibilities is then examined. Does the human right to live free from poverty and malnutrition entail that citizens of rich countries bear $ùperfect&©, or non-negotiable, duties of justice to alleviate global poverty? Or is this not an absolute duty of justice but a matter of charity? Moreover, do rich governments have a duty to refuse to participate in a world order that systemically violates the rights of the world&©s poor? The later stages of the module pose more specific questions: can historical human rights abuses of apartheid regimes ever be forgiven, and do the formerly oppressed have a duty to relinquish just claims against their oppressors in the name of peace? Finally, the moral individualism presupposed by the concept of human rights is questioned from non-western, post-modern and feminist perspectives.
PIR-30128 Protest and social movements EP M 7.5 15
This course is about social movements and their role as vehicles of political protest and political and social change. Social movements are a universal phenomenon in modern societies and they have provoked controversy because they are generally critical of important features of the political or social system. Their critics might see them as extremists or hopelessly utopian while their supporters see in them the hope of more democracy or a better kind of society. The academic analysis of social movements does not escape these controversies, so one task that we will face in assessing different approaches to the study of social movements will be to disentangle the different views of the social world that underlie conflicting theories of protest and social movements. You will be expected to be able to comment on the strengths and weaknesses of explanatory theories of social movements, to place movements in a wider context and to assess the power relations and social forces that shape the political environment of social movements. The cases that we examine include: recent protests in Britain, protest against authoritarian regimes such as those in China, Burma and Eastern Europe pre-1989; protest movements in the global South such as the Zapatistas in Mexico, and feminist and environmental movements in Europe and North America. The themes that we cover include the place of protest in democracy, the evidence about how participates in protest and why, the kinds of protest action that social movement groups choose to pursue, the influence of the state and policing on protest, how radical activists organise and create alternative communities, and the different theoretical approaches to social movements.
PIR-30129 Environmental Politics in the USA EP M 7.5 15
The United States has a complex record of addressing environmental problems. Between 1965 and 1980 the country experienced a "golden age" of environmental policymaking when numerous laws were enacted to tackle problems such as air pollution, water pollution, and waste. Few new laws have been enacted in recent decades, however, leading some commentators to talk about "environmental gridlock" and describing the United States as a climate change "laggard". This module will examine the factors that drive environmental policymaking. Attention will be given to the nature of environmental problems, the role of interest groups and public opinion, and the way that political institutions and systems effect policymaking. Students will be required to write a position paper and a short research paper as part of their assessment, and will also be required to sit a two-hour examination.
PIR-30131 Education Politics and Policy EP C 7.5 15
Education has been the battleground for many competing policy ideas of the left and right. What ideologies and values drive policies in education? How do policy specialists analyse and compare these different approaches? This module will develop your skills in evaluating education policies. You will research and present answers to questions such as &«do religious schools teach more effectively and drive up overall test scores,&ª &«what effect do league tables have on teaching and the curriculum in schools and universities,&ª and &«do higher fees drive down student access to universities?&ª The module will identify frameworks that analysts use to study policies and practice using them on case studies. The content will consist of a comparison of education systems in the United Kingdom and United States, focusing on secondary and higher education. The two systems copy each other's policies, but have many stark differences in approach. Some key themes include the separation of church and state, local versus national control over schools and universities. Some previous study of public policy would be helpful, but is not required.
PIR-30132 Party Systems and Elections EP M 7.5 15
Modern democracy is characterised above all by a competitive struggle between political parties, who pursue votes as a means to obtain political office and achieve their policy goals. This module examines aspects of that competitive struggle (i.e. the 'party system'), which parties conduct not only in the electoral arena, but also in parliament and in (coalition) government. The module focuses on the western European experience. Examples of the type of questions it will address include the nature and origins of party systems; how we might best capture change in party competition, as well as the causes and significance of party system change. In addition, the module is likely to examine competing theories of voting behaviour; as well as the patterns, causes and significance of recent changes in electoral behaviour. Students are encouraged to take this module alongside that on parties' origins and organization (PIR-30133), but this is not essential and each is thus each self-contained.
PIR-30134 British State and Society during the Cold War EP C 7.5 15
This course offers an in-depth look at Britain's Cold War policies, and the multiple relationships between Britain's external policies and domestic politics and culture during the Cold War. Broadly speaking, it uses primarily a historical perspective to ask what was Britain's role in the Cold War, and how did the Cold War affect British people? The module begins with an examination of why Britain chose to develop and to sustain its own nuclear weapon; and it contemplates the basis of Britain's security policy through an exploration of British intelligence and perceptions of the Soviet threat. It entertains in detail the reasons for and implications of Britain's civil and home defence policies, and considers domestic films about the implications of nuclear war and the plans government drew up to cope (or not) with apocalypse. It then moves on to contemplate Britain's internal security regime, examining the state's perceptions of domestic enemies and the measures established to deal with them. Further, it considers dominant political discourses in the Cold War, and the dissemination, assimilation or rejection of these discourses, through an examination of British politics, and key films and novels of the Cold War era. For example, did the American CIA influence British party politics? Or what can James Bond tell us about ideas of the enemy in the Cold War climate? Students also have the opportunity to examine primary documents about the period, to visit the nuclear bunker at Hack Green, and to imagine what would have happened if nuclear war had come to Cold War Britain.... Suggested reading: Peter Hennessy, The Secret State: Whitehall and the Cold War (Penguin, 2003) Sean Greenwood, Britain in the Cold War, 1945-1991 (Macmillan, 1999) Tony Shaw, British Cinema and the Cold War (IB Tauris, 2000) Stephen Whitfield, Culture and the Cold War (John Hopkins, 1991) Teaching format: weekly 2-hour seminars Assessment: 30% Paper, 10% Class Participation, 60% Essay

Politics Single Honours - Level 1 Modules

Semester 1 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
PIR-10038 Why Politics Matters C C 7.5 15
This module provides an introduction to politics that strips it back to its essentials. We examine the core debates in the subject and show why argument and disagreement are perennial features of modern politics but also why politics is an integral feature of modern societies. Core questions in the first part of the course include - where does politics happen? Is it only about government, or can it also include politics in our daily lives, such as who looks after the children? Are we under the thumb of a ruling elite or does democracy mean that power is diffused widely in society? If democracy was the greatest political achievement of the twentieth century, is it now in trouble? Are people now more disenchanted with politics and are politicians less honest and more corrupt than they used to be? Has the state interfered too much in our lives or should government being doing more? What makes a good citizen and does being a good citizen include saying no to governments on occasion? There are no easy or universally-agreed answers to these questions, but trying to answer them will help you understand the forces that shape the world you live in, the choices that you have about how to live your life, and you will also learn how mere opinions do not make good political arguments. In the second part of the course you will deepen your understanding of the role of conflicting values in politics by working in a small group to understand how a contemporary political issue can be seen differently by different ideologies such as liberalism, conservatism and socialism. Even if you don't think of yourself as political, you will learn how you take political decisions and express political views every day. This module will allow you to understand why politics and your role in it matters. The course structure is based on whole group lectures and weekly seminars. You will study a workbook of readings and complete a range of tasks that will help you prepare for the seminars, write your essay and prepare for a small group presentation to the rest of your seminar group. You will receive guidance on how to build up a portfolio of research notes from lectures and reading and you will receive feedback on three pieces of assessed work: a book review done as a short class test (25%); a group presentation (25%) and a 1,500 word essay (50%).
PIR-10041 Introduction to International Relations EP M 7.5 15
This module is designed to provide a clear introduction to the academic study of International Relations and is useful to both beginning International Relations students and to students who would like to simply to find out what the subject is about and explore a few topics or issues in the module that particularly interest them. The module shows how the modern "society of states" came about and was affected by various factors such as nationalism and other ideologies, technology and a globalizing capitalist economy. It also gives students a basic understanding of the "traditional" perspectives in the academic discipline of International Relations and helps them to distinguish between these schools of thought. The ten topic-based lectures are accompanied by eight weekly meetings of each small seminar group. The seminar meetings fall into two kinds. In roughly half the seminars, students learn how to perform effectively in core aspects of University-level study such as: researching, planning and writing an essay; and examination preparation and technique. The other half of the tutorial meetings are devoted to discussion of the topics covered by the module, including: the evolution of the modern states system; Realist and "Idealist" perspectives on IR, violence and war; order, justice and fairness in international society; sovereignty and humanitarian intervention; and the transition from international to global society. Half way through the module, students receive a one-to-one personal meeting with their Module Tutor (lasting approximately ten minutes) in which they receive feedback on their essay plans and can discuss their progress in the module in general. Assessment format: 3-400 word essay plan (0% of the module mark, but non-submission of the essay plan will automatically trigger failure of the module); 1,000-word essay (50% of the module mark); two-hour unseen exam (50% of the module mark).
PIR-10042 Making and Shaping Foreign Policy EP C 7.5 15
This module gives a clear introduction to the study of foreign policy, which is one aspect of the academic discipline of International Relations. It is useful, therefore, for beginning students of International Relations. Yet it is also of interest to students who would simply like to find out what kinds of ideas and concepts are employed when we try to explain or evaluate the foreign policy behaviour of any country and to learn how to apply some of these to a particular country (the USA, Britain, Russia, Iran or China, for example). The 10 lectures in the module are accompanied by 10 weekly meetings of each small seminar group. Activity in the seminar groups is organised around the delivery of short oral presentations by 2-3 students each week, followed by group discussion and debate. Students thus develop the important employability skills of effective oral communication, team working and evaluating the work of one's colleagues in a constructive spirit. Students receive feedback from the Tutor (as well as from their fellow students) on their oral presentations and from the Tutor on their essay plans while the teaching is continuing. Assessment format: 0% essay plan (non-submission of the essay plan will result in failure of the module as a whole, irrespective of the marks achieved for the oral presentation and essay), 50% oral presentation; 50% essay.
PIR-10046 British Politics Since 1945 C C 7.5 15
This module introduces students to the study of domestic and international dimensions of British politics. It presents an overview of the key debates that have shaped politics in Britain, such as the formation of the welfare state in Britain, Britain&©s post-war relationship with the United States of America, the Commonwealth and Europe, debates over Britain&©s economic decline, interpreting Thatcherism and the newness of New Labour. The module is organised into 12 lectures and 8 tutorials. Students are required to produce a literature review (30% of total module mark), and a 1,500 essay (70%).
PIR-10047 The politics of sustainability EP M 7.5 15
This module is designed to provide a clear and inspiring introduction to social scientific perspectives on environmental problems and the concept of sustainability. It is useful to both beginning Environment and Sustainability single honours students who require a solid grounding in enviromental social sciences as well as to students with a general interest in this timely and topical global issue. The module looks at the emergence of the 'environment' as an object of study, the historical processes leading to the contemporary discussion of 'sustainability' (and 'unsustainability') and the various ways in which political and social theorists, scientists, artists, fiction writers, and activists have interpreted a range of environmental problems and solutions in different contexts. Students will learn to recognise the political aspects of the environmental crisis and to understand how and why both 'environment' and 'sustainability' are essentially contested concepts. The ten topic-based lectures are complemented by ten weekly meetings of small tutorial groups. The tutorial sessions are organised by pre-assigned problem sheets that enable students to prepare to discuss and debate the academic content, as well as to practise core skills that will be required for successful University-level study -- such as paraphrasing an author's argument, using the Harvard system of referencing, attributing a concept to a specific school of thought, and constructing an effective argument. Tutorial group sessions enable students to develop the important verbal communication skills of effective question-posing and active listening. Feedback is given regularly by the tutor and by peers, in tutorials as well as in lectures. Assessment format: 35% problem sheets, 25% book review, 40% unseen exam.
Semester 2 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
PIR-10037 Introduction to Global Politics EP C 7.5 15
This module serves as an introduction to global politics. It asks students to consider their proximity to global politics. By focussing upon and understanding the role it plays, the module invites students to question how the state mediates between an individual's political outlook and events that occur in the international sphere that profoundly affect their lives. What is global and what is local - is the line that divides the two real? And what effect does it have on the way we think and act politically? The module explores how the state lays claim to being the primary actor within international politics in the fields of human rights, peace, security, culture, economics,the environment and the global commons. The module aims to help students develop their ability to critically evaluate the kinds of arguments made by academic experts and actual practitioners of global politics. The 10 lectures are accompanied by 10 one-hour tutorials in which students develop their presentational and team working skills by delivering an individual oral presentation and contributing to a group presentation to the class. Assessment format: 10% group presentation; 20% individual oral presentation; 70% essay.
PIR-10039 Debates in American Politics EP C 7.5 15
American Politics is driven by debate. Americans are divided over their foreign policy. Over social issues such as race and abortion, the U.S. has embarked upon debates so heated that they're sometimes referred to as the "culture wars". Then there are ongoing contests over areas such as education and environmental policy. This module will introduce to many of these debates. Each week, we look at a new policy area and get you to debate the rights and wrongs of current U.S. policy and where it should go next. The module also serves to introduce you to the subject of American Politics - it's all pitched at those new to the topic. Much of the module depends on your presentations, advocating one side or the other of a debate in a key policy area. Over the semester, you should learn about a series of policy debates, who's advocating what and develop your skills in presentation and argument.
PIR-10043 The Changing World: A History of International Relations since 1945 EP C 7.5 15
This module is designed to give a clear introduction to the academic study of International History within the discipline of international relations. It is useful for students of international relations, and also to students who would like to find out more about trends in world history and about key international events from the end of the second world war to the present day. The module covers the rise and fall of the Cold War, the global Cold War in Korea and Vietnam, European integration, decolonisation and nation building in Africa, the modern origins of the Arab Israeli conflict, the Yugoslavian civil wars, international terrorism and American foreign policy in the 1990s to the present. The ten topic-based lectures are accompanied by ten weekly meetings of small tutorial groups. In these tutorials, students will have the opportunity to debate key themes and questions on topics covered by the lectures. One tutorial will provide the opportunity for students to 'role play' the positions of different actors in a particular international crisis. Preparation for the tutorials is deliberately integrated into the assessment format: students will be able to use their preparatory work, and the skills developed in tutorials, in order to conduct the assessments. Students will be expected to prepare independently for seminars, but will work in small groups during the tutorials. There will also be two tutorials focused on study skills, specifically on using sources and on essay writing. The assessment for this module is 40% critique, and 60% essay. The critique is an opportunity for students to develop their skills, and to receive tutor feedback, in formulating an argument. Students will be expected to analyse one of the historical debates discussed in tutorials and to present their own argument supported by appropriate evidence. The essay will be submitted at the end of the course. Students will also have the opportunity to conduct a short referencing exercise, and to write a commentary on some of the source material discussed in the lectures. These assessments will not count towards the final mark.
PIR-10045 Justice, Authority and Power C M 7.5 15
This module introduces students to the central debates in the history of Western political thought concerning justice and related concepts of political authority, power, liberty and the social contract. By posing critical questions concerning the nature and limits of state power, it provides a stimulating and enlightening opportunity for students in a wide range of disciplines, whether or not taking a principal degree in Politics, Philosophy and International Relations, to become familiar with the origin and development of the most influential ideas that have shaped modern states and societies. The module firstly examines core issues in classical political thought through a study of Plato and Aristotle. Their writings present controversial but significant arguments for the universality of justice, the common good and the justification of elite power. The second part focuses on modern approaches to justice that focus principally on individual liberty, the social contract and the difference between wielding power and possessing legitimate authority to rule. The theories of Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau contrast with those of the classical world, and are generally considered to have inaugurated the widespread defence of representative government and democracy around the world today. Ten lectures introduce the main concepts and thinkers covered in the module, and are accompanied by a corresponding number of weekly meetings of small one-hour tutorial groups. In these tutorials, students have the opportunity to debate specific themes and questions. Students are also asked to undertake self-assessed, summative multiple choice tests during the course of the module, and are encouraged to seek their tutors' advice with respect to any gaps in their knowledge that emerge as a result of these examinations. Students also receive prompt formative feedback on an essay-plan, which they are then asked to develop into a polished piece of written work, which is summatively assessed.
PIR-10055 Modern Democracies C M 7.5 15
This module introduces students to the comparative study of politics. The kinds of topics to be covered include: the ways in which we may study politics and evaluate democracies in a comparative fashion; different models used to compare democracies; how different modern democracies (including the UK, Germany, the USA, France and the European Union) fit into these models; the importance and the consequences of institutional structures and processes in democracies; the exporting of democratic institutions and processes. The module is organized into 10 lectures and 10 tutorials. Students are required to participate in tutorials to undertake a data analysis group exercise (10%) and an individual oral presentation (40%). They will also complete an unseen two-hour examination at the end of the semester (50%).

Politics Single Honours - Level 2 Modules

Semester 1 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
PIR-20041 Politics - Study Abroad I EP C 7.5 15
This is a module that is automatically allocated to the records our Keele level II students who are going to Study Abroad at a partner University for a semester of their second year and cannot be selected by any other level II students.
PIR-20042 Politics - Study Abroad II EP C 7.5 15
This is a module that is automatically allocated to the records our Keele level II students who are going to Study Abroad at a partner University for a semester of their second year and cannot be selected by any other level II students.
PIR-20043 Politics - Study Abroad III EP C 7.5 15
This is a module that is automatically allocated to the records our Keele level II students who are going to Study Abroad at a partner University for a semester of their second year and cannot be selected by any other level II students.
PIR-20044 Politics - Study Abroad IV EP C 7.5 15
This is a module that is automatically allocated to the records our Keele level II students who are going to Study Abroad at a partner University for a semester of their second year and cannot be selected by any other level II students.
PIR-20063 Global Political Economy EP M 7.5 15
This module provides students with a broad understanding of theoretical and empirical aspects of Global Political Economy. The objectives of the course include: i) providing students with knowledge of a range of theoretical approaches to the study of global and international political economy; ii) presenting the major political themes in the historical development of the international economy; iii) providing students with an understanding of debates about the emergence and political consequences of a globalised economy, with its patterns of inequality; iv) exploring the prospects and politics of managing the global economy; v) equipping students with the conceptual and analytical skills needed to achieve a clear understanding of contemporary global political economy. Students further develop their oral and written communication skills, as well as their ability to conduct research in the literature of the discipline. The final module mark is based upon the following: oral presentation (10%), essay 50%), exam (40%).
PIR-20064 International Relations of the Environment EP M 7.5 15
As a global society of increasingly interdependent states, the world faces numerous problems stemming from the depletion of natural resources such as fish, forests, hydrocarbons and water and the deterioration of various aspects of the natural environment. Most of these are examples of common problems (we all independently experience them to varying degrees) or also shared problems (what each of us does or doesn't do about them affects how they are experienced by others). This poses many challenges for the development of national and international policies that will effectively address the global environmental agenda. Through a detailed examination of a selection of international environmental issue areas, students are introduced to some of the key analytical themes from the academic literature on the international relations of the environment. This enables students to analyse a number of common or shared conservation and environmental protection challenges that many states and parts of the world face, and to critically evaluate the proposed solutions. The issues and themes covered in the module usually include: how issues get on the international environmental agenda; the environment in international affairs; the contribution of the discipline of IR to understanding international environmental affairs; patterns of sovereignty and jurisdiction affecting transboundary resources and pollutants; actors, factors and effectiveness in international environmental regimes; environment and security; the International Whaling Regime; The African Elephant in international trade; high seas fisheries; tropical rainforests; the ozone layer; climate change; trade and the environment. Other topics which sometimes feature in the module include: Antarctica; the deep seabed; the global trade in hazardous waste; persistent organic pollutants. There are 15 one-hour lectures. Each tutorial group meets fortnightly for a total of 5 one-hour sessions. Students work in teams to coordinate their class contributions as well as working individually on the topics which especially interest them, further developing their ability to conduct research using a variety of sources in order to analyse some of the policy problems encountered in the quest for ecologically sustainable development. The final module mark is based upon the following: short oral presentation to the class (10%); 2,000 word essay (40%); 2-hour unseen written examination (50%).
PIR-20067 Environmental Politics and Policy O C 7.5 15
This module provides a level two introduction to some of the key historical, theoretical and practical dimensions of environmental politics and policy. In particular it aims to explore: &· The political nature of environmental problems and controversies; &· The diverse historical, political, and cultural roots of contemporary environmental problems and controversies; &· Connections between local and global environmental issues; &· Challenges posed by environmental issues to political institutions; &· Power relationships between developed and developing countries, and between social groups within political communities; and the various strategies and tactics used to bring about environmental change, such as government policy-making and regulation, corporate environmental responsibility,and social movement activism. Emphasis is placed on the complexity of contemporary environmental issues and controversies, and on developing the skills necessary to analyse them critically, and thus respond to them effectively. The module enables students to develop their argumentation and communication skills. Students will be assessed on a portfolio of 5 short pieces of writing designed to develop argumentation skills (50%), a mid-term class test (formative) and a research essay (50%).
PIR-20067 Environmental Politics and Policy EP C 7.5 15
This module provides a level two introduction to some of the key historical, theoretical and practical dimensions of environmental politics and policy. In particular it aims to explore: &· The political nature of environmental problems and controversies; &· The diverse historical, political, and cultural roots of contemporary environmental problems and controversies; &· Connections between local and global environmental issues; &· Challenges posed by environmental issues to political institutions; &· Power relationships between developed and developing countries, and between social groups within political communities; and the various strategies and tactics used to bring about environmental change, such as government policy-making and regulation, corporate environmental responsibility,and social movement activism. Emphasis is placed on the complexity of contemporary environmental issues and controversies, and on developing the skills necessary to analyse them critically, and thus respond to them effectively. The module enables students to develop their argumentation and communication skills. Students will be assessed on a portfolio of 5 short pieces of writing designed to develop argumentation skills (50%), a mid-term class test (formative) and a research essay (50%).
PIR-20069 Approaches to Political Analysis C C 7.5 15
How should you analyse politics? This question can prove highly controversial. Politics is a broad discipline that encompasses many different ways of researching that include different methods, different ways of measuring things, different definitions of what constitutes $ùevidence&©, and even different conceptions of how we 'know what we know' in politics. This course will familiarise you with these debates and give you an introduction to the different approaches you may encounter. It provides an excellent preparation for planning for your dissertation in the third year. The module takes a hands on approach to these debates, and will get you to try out different forms of analysis on a series of actual cases that you will recognise from the news. These cases include such topics as how to analyse a political film and why people are turned off politics.
PIR-20070 The UN in world politics EP M 7.5 15
The United Nations has shaped international relations in multiple, complex and significant ways, but has not had the kind of impact for which many people hoped. Students taking this course will be able to explain why. They will analyse the interplay between world politics and international organisation by reference to the background to the creation of the United Nations; the lessons learned from the failure (and successes) of the UN's predecessor, the League of Nations; the policies of member states; and the international environment. Students will have the opportunity to work in teams as well as study topics that particulary interest them. In so doing they will further develop their ability to conduct research using a variety of sources to analyse the role of the UN in world politics. Assessment will be by means of one 2,000-word essay (50 per cent) and one two-hour unseen examination (50 per cent).
PIR-20071 U.S Government and Politics O M 7.5 15
Through a detailed examination and analysis of the US governmental institutions, political parties, voting behaviour, interest groups, and public opinion, students will gain an understanding how the mass public can influence the making of public policy. This approach will enable students to identify, research, analyse and comment on the key issues facing the US political system developing their understanding of the interactivity of its component parts. An analysis of the literature will introduce students to the different conceptual frameworks and methodologies that have been adopted by leading US political scientists providing an intellectually rigorous training for the further study of the US political system. Students will also have the opportunity to work on topics which interest them for their written work, further developing their ability to conduct research using a variety of souces in a multi-media context in order to analyse some of the major challenges facing US political institutions and political society. The final module mark is based upon a 3 x 1000-word portfolios (60%) and a 2 hour written examination (40%).
PIR-20071 U.S Government and Politics EP M 7.5 15
Through a detailed examination and analysis of the US governmental institutions, political parties, voting behaviour, interest groups, and public opinion, students will gain an understanding how the mass public can influence the making of public policy. This approach will enable students to identify, research, analyse and comment on the key issues facing the US political system developing their understanding of the interactivity of its component parts. An analysis of the literature will introduce students to the different conceptual frameworks and methodologies that have been adopted by leading US political scientists providing an intellectually rigorous training for the further study of the US political system. Students will also have the opportunity to work on topics which interest them for their written work, further developing their ability to conduct research using a variety of souces in a multi-media context in order to analyse some of the major challenges facing US political institutions and political society. The final module mark is based upon a 3 x 1000-word portfolios (60%) and a 2 hour written examination (40%).
PIR-20076 Contemporary International Relations Theory EP C 7.5 15
This module provides students with a broad theoretical understanding of the main areas of study in International Relations. It introduces students to the most influential ideas and writings in the field of IR. Through the in-depth analysis of leading scholars it analyses the methods that underpin contemporary interpretations of international relations. It enables students themselves to critique the various theoretical approaches involved with researching and writing about international relations. Throughout the module, there is a strong emphasis on applying the concepts and problems of IR theory to contemporary events. The 15 one-hour lectures explain the various approaches to interpreting IR. The 7 one-hour meetings of each tutorial group compare how particular themes in international relations are addressed by authors from different schools of thought, employing small-group work and plenary discussion amongst the whole class.
PIR-20078 Russian Politics and Society EP M 7.5 15
The theme of this module is the most important political experiment of the twentieth century - the attempt to build communism in Russia. We look at: * the ideological, cultural and political origins of communism * the political, economic and social systems created under Lenin and Stalin * the gradual decline of the Soviet system under Stalin's successors * the causes of the collapse of Soviet communism in the Gorbachev period * communism's legacy and the postcommunist Russian political system * prospects for democracy in contemporary Russia The module will consist of 12 lectures and 8 x 1 hour tutorials. Assessment is via a portfolio of 5 short blogs on tutorial content (total 3000 words) and a final seen examination, which will address the 'big' questions raised by the module content: what was communism's appeal, what were the structural problems of the Soviet system, why did this system eventually collapse, what is its legacy, and where is Russia heading in the current period. Indicative reading: Robert Service: A History of Modern Russia (2003); Edwin Bacon with Matthew Wyman, Contemporary Russia (2005); Stephen White et al, Developments in Russian Politics 7 (2009)
Semester 2 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
PIR-20046 Politics - Study Abroad V EP C 7.5 15
This is a module that is automatically allocated to the records our Keele level II students who are going to Study Abroad at a partner University for a semester of their second year and cannot be selected by any other level II students.
PIR-20047 Politics - Study Abroad VI EP C 7.5 15
This is a module that is automatically allocated to the records our Keele level II students who are going to Study Abroad at a partner University for a semester of their second year and cannot be selected by any other level II students.
PIR-20048 Politics - Study Abroad VII EP C 7.5 15
This is a module that is automatically allocated to the records our Keele level II students who are going to Study Abroad at a partner University for a semester of their second year and cannot be selected by any other level II students.
PIR-20049 Politics - Study Abroad VIII EP C 7.5 15
This is a module that is automatically allocated to the records our Keele level II students who are going to Study Abroad at a partner University for a semester of their second year and cannot be selected by any other level II students.
PIR-20061 Peace, Conflict and Security: Theories and Practice EP M 7.5 15
This module introduces students to the problem of security as it is addressed in the academic discipline of International Relations and as it is understood by practicioners of international politics at the level of governments and other kinds of actors in world politics. The study of security is still the single most influential sub-discipline within International Relations and the search for security in its various forms is at the heart of many activities and policies at the international level. Through this module students become familiar with the key conceptual debates in the literature on international security and come to appreciate the implications of these debates for events in the real world of international politics. They develop the ability to apply a range of relevant ideas about the nature of conflict and conflict resolution to gain a critical understanding of how security questions develop and how the security agenda is shaped, looking especially at the elements of continuity and change in the security agenda since the Cold War began to wane in the mid-1980s through to the 2010s. In addition to learning how to analyse key aspects of the security problematique - a set of problems, concepts, and theoretical debates that still lie near the heart of the discipline of International Relations - students refine their ability to conduct independent research, to evaluate and employ abstract concepts and theories in making sense of and evaluating potential solutions to real-world problems, and effectively to communicate complex arguments supported by appropriate evidence. The final module mark is based upon the following: 750-word annotated bibliography (15%); 2,000 word essay (45%); 2-hour unseen written exam (40%).
PIR-20062 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OF EURASIA: Challenges of Globalisation and Geopolitics EP C 7.5 15
Eurasia, the vast lands between China and Germany, has emerged as the world's axial super-continent, which is now serving as the decisive geopolitical chessboard, both for political/military and economic reasons. Eurasia accounts for 75 percent of the world's population, 60 percent of its GNP, and 75 percent of its energy resources. Collectively, Eurasia's power overshadows even America's. The geopolitics of the region is therefore a significant matter. On a lighter note, it is even the setting and plot device for one of the latest James Bond movies. This module looks at the struggle between the processes of globalisation and geopolitical forces since the end of the Second World War. One of the most significant characteristics of the Eurasian heartland is its central location in relation to the major sedentary civilisations of the past and present. Over the centuries, these lands have come under the sway of several great world-historical civilisations and empires: the Eastern Roman or Byzantine, Mongolian, Ottoman, Holy Roman, Austro-Hungarian, Russian, and Soviet. These lands have felt the influence of Orthodox Christianity, Catholicism, Protestanism, Judaism, Islam, and world communism. At the intersection of many powerful global forces, these lands have experienced with particular sharpness what is called &«modernisation&ª and its challenge to customary ways of life. In addition, the collapse of Soviet domination and communist regimes across this region has dramatically increased its importance for the global economy. The Eurasian heartland, which has for a number of years been in the process of becoming a region of major strategic importance, has often been treated as peripheral to other fields of study such as study of Russia or China. Perhaps more than any other region of the world, the Eurasian heartland has become an avenue of the much-mentioned condition of multipolarity in world affairs. Students conduct independent research on a research question that they have individually identified. The final module mark is based upon the following: tutorial performance (15%); a Short Paper of 1,000 words planning out the research project (25%); and a 3,000-word Research Paper (60%).
PIR-20065 The Practice of Politics EP C 7.5 15
This module involves exploration of a number of interrelated personal and political questions. Through engaging with the module fully, you will, by the end of it, have clearer answers to at least some of the following questions: Personal Development - What am I good at? - What do I enjoy doing? - What are my motivations? - What are my priorities? - How can I become more effective? Future Careers - What is it like to work in various different kinds of political career? - How do careers develop? - What kind of work do I want? - What do I need to do in order to get the kind of work I want? Political Action - How can I communicate about politics more effectively? - How can I influence others? - How can I improve my $ùpeople&© skills? - How can I be an effective leader? Political Communication and Leadership - When are political leaders effective? - When do campaigns succeed? - What are the features of effective public speaking in a variety of contexts? The module will be taught in 12 x 2-hour workshops which will consist of a combination of instruction, small and large group discussion and practical exercises. Rather than prior reading the focus will be on practical activities in the workshop and afterwards. Participants will also be given the opportunity to practice public speaking and media and interview skills as part of a presentation day. Assessment will be through a research report which involves either a study of an individual political leader, a policy brief on a current controversy, or an analysis of great political speeches (worth 50% of marks), and a portfolio including a number of reflections on individual skill areas, as well as a number of documents relating to the process of career management and development (50%).
PIR-20066 Freedom and Equality O M 7.5 15
This module provides an introduction to two of the most widely debated concepts in contemporary political theory. Freedom and equality are amongst the central values of modern political life, and inform many campaigns for justice around the world today. The module focuses on current thinking about the meaning, justification and political application of these concepts. Through examining the ideas of leading contemporary political theorists and philosophers, students gain a better understanding of two of the most interesting and important concepts in contemporary political thought and practice. The module firstly examines Isaiah Berlin's famous distinction between 'negative' and 'positive' freedom. We ask whether justice involves ensuring citizens' freedom from physical harm or other forms of danger; or whether freedom is a matter of achieving goals that one sets for oneself - i.e., autonomy. The distinction between 'positive' and 'negative' freedom is applied to the topical debate about free speech in liberal societies. The second part of the module focuses on equality. Why is equality valuable? Is it more valuable than freedom? Should egalitarians be committed to securing equal opportunities or equal outcomes? Pressing issues of equality between present and future generations and between different nations are also considered. Fifteen lectures introduce the main concepts and thinkers covered in the module, and are accompanied by seven meetings of small one-hour tutorial groups. In the tutorials students have an opportunity to engage in structured discussions about particular themes and questions. The assessment for this course comprises an essay plan, to be written in the middle of the semester, followed by an essay and unseen examination at the end of the course.
PIR-20066 Freedom and Equality EP M 7.5 15
This module provides an introduction to two of the most widely debated concepts in contemporary political theory. Freedom and equality are amongst the central values of modern political life, and inform many campaigns for justice around the world today. The module focuses on current thinking about the meaning, justification and political application of these concepts. Through examining the ideas of leading contemporary political theorists and philosophers, students gain a better understanding of two of the most interesting and important concepts in contemporary political thought and practice. The module firstly examines Isaiah Berlin's famous distinction between 'negative' and 'positive' freedom. We ask whether justice involves ensuring citizens' freedom from physical harm or other forms of danger; or whether freedom is a matter of achieving goals that one sets for oneself - i.e., autonomy. The distinction between 'positive' and 'negative' freedom is applied to the topical debate about free speech in liberal societies. The second part of the module focuses on equality. Why is equality valuable? Is it more valuable than freedom? Should egalitarians be committed to securing equal opportunities or equal outcomes? Pressing issues of equality between present and future generations and between different nations are also considered. Fifteen lectures introduce the main concepts and thinkers covered in the module, and are accompanied by seven meetings of small one-hour tutorial groups. In the tutorials students have an opportunity to engage in structured discussions about particular themes and questions. The assessment for this course comprises an essay plan, to be written in the middle of the semester, followed by an essay and unseen examination at the end of the course.
PIR-20068 Why Policy Changes O C 7.5 15
Why do some policies change while others stay the same? Ultimately, most politics is about what governments do, or don't do. While many scholars of politics work in specific fields (e.g. legislatures, transport policy), those working in the field of public policy try to explain the whole: how does the system fit together to produce change or continuity in the way the government acts? That questions raises further issues: how do agendas work?, how do people in a policy area work together or compete with one another?, how does policy reflect people's political interests? This module introduces you to the work and methods of these scholars. There are three assessments for the module: two short written pieces which ask you to consider two particular areas of public policy scholarship (each of 1200 words and each worth 25% of your final module mark) and a policy analysis essay examining a policy area of your choice (2000 words, worth 50% of your final module mark). So, if you've ever wondered about questions of policy, such as why the trains don't run on time, or why you're paying fees to study at university, this module might help you understand.
PIR-20068 Why Policy Changes EP C 7.5 15
Why do some policies change while others stay the same? Ultimately, most politics is about what governments do, or don't do. While many scholars of politics work in specific fields (e.g. legislatures, transport policy), those working in the field of public policy try to explain the whole: how does the system fit together to produce change or continuity in the way the government acts? That questions raises further issues: how do agendas work?, how do people in a policy area work together or compete with one another?, how does policy reflect people's political interests? This module introduces you to the work and methods of these scholars. There are three assessments for the module: two short written pieces which ask you to consider two particular areas of public policy scholarship (each of 1200 words and each worth 25% of your final module mark) and a policy analysis essay examining a policy area of your choice (2000 words, worth 50% of your final module mark). So, if you've ever wondered about questions of policy, such as why the trains don't run on time, or why you're paying fees to study at university, this module might help you understand.
PIR-20073 European Union: Institutions and Policies EP M 7.5 15
This module introduces students to the study of European integration and its historical setting, then proceeds to describe and analyse the workings of its main institutions and selected policies. The institutions covered are the Commission, Council of Ministers, the European Parliament and the Court of Justice. Issues discussed include 'how democratic is the EU', 'how does the EU change the domestic politics of its members', 'is the EU a global power?, and finally 'what is the effect of new countries joining the EU'. The assessment for this module is based on: one 2,000-word essay (50%), and one 2-hour unseen written examination (50%).
PIR-20074 British Government and Politics EP M 7.5 15
This module seeks to offer an in-depth analysis of the British system of government and its politics more broadly, including the constitution; the government; Parliament; parties and the party system; elections and voting; the role of interest groups; policies; constitutional reform; and the impact of the European Union. The final module mark is based upon the following: 2,000 word essay (50%); a 2-hour unseen written exam (50%).
PIR-20077 Comparative Political Analysis O M 7.5 15
Comparative Politics is an important sub-field of Political Science that has been around since at least the time of Aristotle. Its prime concern is not with questions of how politics ought to be conducted, but with how it operates in the real world. It thus focuses on questions such as $ùwhat shapes the distribution and effectiveness of political participation?&©; $ùwhy do people vote the way they do?&©; $ùwhat are the effects of electoral systems?&©, $ùhow do political parties organise and compete?; $ùwhy do political executives dominate the legislature in some countries and not in others?&©; $ùcan we predict which coalitions will form and what factors are most likely to cause them to collapse?&© and $ùwhat is the most efficient way of distributing political power between the various territorial units of a state?&© In addressing such questions, this module will help you appreciate not only the variety of political institutions, processes and behaviour that exist in the modern world, but also the peculiarities, strengths and weaknesses of your own political system. Last but not least, it will provide a critical introduction to the language and methods of Comparative Politics. The module is assessed through a group presentation (30%) and unseen examination (70%).
PIR-20077 Comparative Political Analysis EP M 7.5 15
Comparative Politics is an important sub-field of Political Science that has been around since at least the time of Aristotle. Its prime concern is not with questions of how politics ought to be conducted, but with how it operates in the real world. It thus focuses on questions such as $ùwhat shapes the distribution and effectiveness of political participation?&©; $ùwhy do people vote the way they do?&©; $ùwhat are the effects of electoral systems?&©, $ùhow do political parties organise and compete?; $ùwhy do political executives dominate the legislature in some countries and not in others?&©; $ùcan we predict which coalitions will form and what factors are most likely to cause them to collapse?&© and $ùwhat is the most efficient way of distributing political power between the various territorial units of a state?&© In addressing such questions, this module will help you appreciate not only the variety of political institutions, processes and behaviour that exist in the modern world, but also the peculiarities, strengths and weaknesses of your own political system. Last but not least, it will provide a critical introduction to the language and methods of Comparative Politics. The module is assessed through a group presentation (30%) and unseen examination (70%).

Politics Single Honours - Level 3 Modules

Semester 1 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
+ PIR-30094 The Global South O M 7.5 15
Module Aims: a. To investigate The Global South from international relations and political science perspectives; b. To communicate regional understandings of the Indian Ocean and the Asia-Pacific; c. To review and analyse the growing literature on justice, sovereignty, environment and security in the Global South; d. To critically evaluate both theoretical and empirical writings which pertain to concepts of a North-South dichotomy; e. To investigate current literature on the central dimensions of critical geo-politics; f. To cultivate the critical skills needed to analyse the impacts of globalisation on majority worlds; g. To enable students to gain experience of individual research by gathering, organising, and deploying information (from primary and secondary sources), and by identifying, analysing and advocating potential solutions to problems h. To enable students to improve their oral presentation shills and to gain experience of participating in and facilitating group discussion. i. To communicate current debates and areas of new research in relation to major, contemporary issues pertaining to the Global South.
+ PIR-30094 The Global South EP M 7.5 15
Module Aims: a. To investigate The Global South from international relations and political science perspectives; b. To communicate regional understandings of the Indian Ocean and the Asia-Pacific; c. To review and analyse the growing literature on justice, sovereignty, environment and security in the Global South; d. To critically evaluate both theoretical and empirical writings which pertain to concepts of a North-South dichotomy; e. To investigate current literature on the central dimensions of critical geo-politics; f. To cultivate the critical skills needed to analyse the impacts of globalisation on majority worlds; g. To enable students to gain experience of individual research by gathering, organising, and deploying information (from primary and secondary sources), and by identifying, analysing and advocating potential solutions to problems h. To enable students to improve their oral presentation shills and to gain experience of participating in and facilitating group discussion. i. To communicate current debates and areas of new research in relation to major, contemporary issues pertaining to the Global South.
PIR-30108 Proliferation O M 7.5 15
The aims of this module are to: (1) enable students to develop an informed understanding of the changing agenda of arms control in the post Cold War era and of the policy conflicts encountered in shaping the agenda of weapons proliferation control; (2) enable students to identify the political, technological, economic and moral factors that affect the formation, evolution and effectiveness of formal and informal multilateral and global regimes relevant to proliferation control Students will learn about the various factors affecting the agenda, modalities and outcomes of international proliferation control efforts, through conducting in-depth evaluations of the development, implementation and effectiveness of proliferation control policies in specific issue-areas. How does the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty work? What improvements need to be made to it? Why do some countries abandon weapons of mass destruction programmes while others try to develop or acquire such weapons? What can the international community do to persuade "threshold states" not to become nuclear weapons powers? Do "carrots" work better than "sticks?" What factors affect the likely effectiveness of efforts to coordinate export control policies covering conventional and non-conventional weapons and related technologies? Should bullets, mines and cluster bombs be as important as nuclear, chemical and biological weapons on the proliferation agenda of states, international organisations and the campaigning groups to be found in civil society? Are different dynamics at play when the agenda shifts to the humanitarian or human security level as distinct from the security of states? Students will develop their communication, team-working and leadership skills through giving presentations as part of a team in charge of leading their seminar group on two occasions, as well as refining their analytical and other intellectual skills. The assessment format is: two individual oral presentations as part of your student team (10% of the module mark, in total); 2500 word essay (40% of the module mark); 2-hour unseen exam (50% of the module mark).
PIR-30108 Proliferation EP M 7.5 15
The aims of this module are to: (1) enable students to develop an informed understanding of the changing agenda of arms control in the post Cold War era and of the policy conflicts encountered in shaping the agenda of weapons proliferation control; (2) enable students to identify the political, technological, economic and moral factors that affect the formation, evolution and effectiveness of formal and informal multilateral and global regimes relevant to proliferation control Students will learn about the various factors affecting the agenda, modalities and outcomes of international proliferation control efforts, through conducting in-depth evaluations of the development, implementation and effectiveness of proliferation control policies in specific issue-areas. How does the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty work? What improvements need to be made to it? Why do some countries abandon weapons of mass destruction programmes while others try to develop or acquire such weapons? What can the international community do to persuade "threshold states" not to become nuclear weapons powers? Do "carrots" work better than "sticks?" What factors affect the likely effectiveness of efforts to coordinate export control policies covering conventional and non-conventional weapons and related technologies? Should bullets, mines and cluster bombs be as important as nuclear, chemical and biological weapons on the proliferation agenda of states, international organisations and the campaigning groups to be found in civil society? Are different dynamics at play when the agenda shifts to the humanitarian or human security level as distinct from the security of states? Students will develop their communication, team-working and leadership skills through giving presentations as part of a team in charge of leading their seminar group on two occasions, as well as refining their analytical and other intellectual skills. The assessment format is: two individual oral presentations as part of your student team (10% of the module mark, in total); 2500 word essay (40% of the module mark); 2-hour unseen exam (50% of the module mark).
PIR-30109 Politics and International Relations of the Middle East l O M 7.5 15
This module aims to acquaint students with the domestic politics, foreign policies, and international relations of the Middle East region, stretching from Morocco in the West to Iran in the east. Students will be encouraged to develop a critical awareness of the historical, social, political and geopolitical transformations of Middle Eastern states by (a) acquiring knowledge of important actors and events in the region, and by (b) developing a critical understanding of the key scholarly and popular debates about domestic and international politics of regional states. Material covered will include the historical formation of the state system in the Middle East region, the role of collective identities and political ideologies in the politics of the region, the Cold War period and its impact on Middle East politics, Civil Wars in the Middle East and North Africa, the Arab-Israeli Wars, the Palestinians and the Peace Process, Iraq's Wars and Reconstruction, and American Middle East policy.
PIR-30109 Politics and International Relations of the Middle East l EP M 7.5 15
This module aims to acquaint students with the domestic politics, foreign policies, and international relations of the Middle East region, stretching from Morocco in the West to Iran in the east. Students will be encouraged to develop a critical awareness of the historical, social, political and geopolitical transformations of Middle Eastern states by (a) acquiring knowledge of important actors and events in the region, and by (b) developing a critical understanding of the key scholarly and popular debates about domestic and international politics of regional states. Material covered will include the historical formation of the state system in the Middle East region, the role of collective identities and political ideologies in the politics of the region, the Cold War period and its impact on Middle East politics, Civil Wars in the Middle East and North Africa, the Arab-Israeli Wars, the Palestinians and the Peace Process, Iraq's Wars and Reconstruction, and American Middle East policy.
PIR-30115 End of Empire O M 7.5 15
The dismantling of European overseas empires transformed the international scene, and its consequences continue to reverberate in international relations. For Britain in particular, with which this course is solely concerned, the end of empire was part and parcel of her rapid downhill decline. The course explores the factors which led to Britain&©s imperial decline; takes as its chronological starting point the shattering fall of Singapore in 1942; uses case studies to analyse how Britain sought to manage imperial decline and the process by which she transferred power; ends in the early 1960s when Britain applied to join the EEC and full-scale decolonization was under way. The course will not only consider how these developments took place, but will also seek to relate them to wider international issues and our overall understanding of international relations.
PIR-30115 End of Empire EP M 7.5 15
The dismantling of European overseas empires transformed the international scene, and its consequences continue to reverberate in international relations. For Britain in particular, with which this course is solely concerned, the end of empire was part and parcel of her rapid downhill decline. The course explores the factors which led to Britain&©s imperial decline; takes as its chronological starting point the shattering fall of Singapore in 1942; uses case studies to analyse how Britain sought to manage imperial decline and the process by which she transferred power; ends in the early 1960s when Britain applied to join the EEC and full-scale decolonization was under way. The course will not only consider how these developments took place, but will also seek to relate them to wider international issues and our overall understanding of international relations.
PIR-30117 The U.S. Presidency O M 7.5 15
The high profile of the U.S. presidency is undeniable. Whether occupied by a Bush or an Obama, the office is also perceived as one of the most powerful institutions in the world. Yet, in a political system designed around a separation of powers, the capacity to lead is not guaranteed. This module allows you to consider the different techniques presidents use to lead and whether those techniques work. The module is taught in two-hour seminars and is assessed by a three-section portfolio (60%) and examination (40%). The portfolio is an opportunity for you to examine presidential leadership in a series of policy areas of your choice, while the examination asks you to consider the strengths and weaknesses of scholarship on the presidency.
PIR-30117 The U.S. Presidency EP M 7.5 15
The high profile of the U.S. presidency is undeniable. Whether occupied by a Bush or an Obama, the office is also perceived as one of the most powerful institutions in the world. Yet, in a political system designed around a separation of powers, the capacity to lead is not guaranteed. This module allows you to consider the different techniques presidents use to lead and whether those techniques work. The module is taught in two-hour seminars and is assessed by a three-section portfolio (60%) and examination (40%). The portfolio is an opportunity for you to examine presidential leadership in a series of policy areas of your choice, while the examination asks you to consider the strengths and weaknesses of scholarship on the presidency.
PIR-30119 The Extreme Right in Western Europe O M 7.5 15
Right-wing extremist parties have experienced success in elections in a number of countries in Western Europe over the last two or three decades. This phenomenon has attracted widespread attention, both in the media and in academic circles, sparking a number of frequently asked questions: why have these parties suddenly become electorally successful? What exactly do they stand for? What kind of people vote for them? Why do people vote for them? Why have they experienced more success in some countries than in others? Should we be worried about their rise? And what can we, or mainstream political parties, do to counter their rise? This module aims to examine all these questions. It begins by introducing students to the theoretical perspectives and key bodies of literature on the nature of right wing extremism in contemporary Western Europe, and it explores the complex conceptual, analytical and terminological debates surrounding this subject of enquiry. It then engages in empirical investigations into the the ideology and the electoral base of different right-wing extremist parties across Western Europe and, in so doing, it also examines the question of why some right-wing extremist parties have been electorally more successful than others. It finishes by exploring the impact that right-wing extremist parties have had on public debate, policy-making and party competition over the last 30 years and by considering how mainstream parties have attempted to counter the rise and growing influence of the parties of the extreme right. The module is delivered in weekly two-hour seminars. Assessment is based on the following: 0% group presentation; 50% 2,500 word essay; 50% 2-hour unseen examination
PIR-30119 The Extreme Right in Western Europe EP M 7.5 15
Right-wing extremist parties have experienced success in elections in a number of countries in Western Europe over the last two or three decades. This phenomenon has attracted widespread attention, both in the media and in academic circles, sparking a number of frequently asked questions: why have these parties suddenly become electorally successful? What exactly do they stand for? What kind of people vote for them? Why do people vote for them? Why have they experienced more success in some countries than in others? Should we be worried about their rise? And what can we, or mainstream political parties, do to counter their rise? This module aims to examine all these questions. It begins by introducing students to the theoretical perspectives and key bodies of literature on the nature of right wing extremism in contemporary Western Europe, and it explores the complex conceptual, analytical and terminological debates surrounding this subject of enquiry. It then engages in empirical investigations into the the ideology and the electoral base of different right-wing extremist parties across Western Europe and, in so doing, it also examines the question of why some right-wing extremist parties have been electorally more successful than others. It finishes by exploring the impact that right-wing extremist parties have had on public debate, policy-making and party competition over the last 30 years and by considering how mainstream parties have attempted to counter the rise and growing influence of the parties of the extreme right. The module is delivered in weekly two-hour seminars. Assessment is based on the following: 0% group presentation; 50% 2,500 word essay; 50% 2-hour unseen examination
PIR-30123 Individual and Community O C 7.5 15
This module aims to introduce students to cutting-edge work in contemporary political philosophy. It does this by focusing on an in depth examination of two major works by outstanding political philosophers: John Rawls, 'A Theory of Justice' and Robert Nozick, 'Anarchy, State and Utopia'. In addition to increasing their knowledge of contemporary political philosophy, the module will develop students' powers of comprehension, analysis, criticism and argument. It is assessed by two 2,500 word essays. The module is taught through a weekly two hour seminar in which students spend most of their time working together in small groups. The module will particularly enhance students' written communication skills and their ability to think and argue clearly and effectively.
PIR-30123 Individual and Community EP C 7.5 15
This module aims to introduce students to cutting-edge work in contemporary political philosophy. It does this by focusing on an in depth examination of two major works by outstanding political philosophers: John Rawls, 'A Theory of Justice' and Robert Nozick, 'Anarchy, State and Utopia'. In addition to increasing their knowledge of contemporary political philosophy, the module will develop students' powers of comprehension, analysis, criticism and argument. It is assessed by two 2,500 word essays. The module is taught through a weekly two hour seminar in which students spend most of their time working together in small groups. The module will particularly enhance students' written communication skills and their ability to think and argue clearly and effectively.
PIR-30125 America and Europe: The Transatlantic Relationship EP M 7.5 15
Since the end of the Cold War, many commentators in Europe see the United States growing apart from its democratic neighbours and allies. At the same time, many in America see Europe - or certain European countries - as too 'soft' to face up to the challenges of the 21st century, especially as regard security issues. Why has this happened? The answers to this question are found in the various trends that shape advanced democratic states, rather than the current policies of particular governments. This module examines the evolution of different social, political and economic forces shaping Europe and America. It addresses whether the 'West' or the 'Atlantic Community'will continue to remain a coherent entity in the 21st century. The module unites international relations scholarship with comparative politics literature, thereby complementing the International Relations and the Politics programmes of SPIRE.
PIR-30125 America and Europe: The Transatlantic Relationship O M 7.5 15
Since the end of the Cold War, many commentators in Europe see the United States growing apart from its democratic neighbours and allies. At the same time, many in America see Europe - or certain European countries - as too 'soft' to face up to the challenges of the 21st century, especially as regard security issues. Why has this happened? The answers to this question are found in the various trends that shape advanced democratic states, rather than the current policies of particular governments. This module examines the evolution of different social, political and economic forces shaping Europe and America. It addresses whether the 'West' or the 'Atlantic Community'will continue to remain a coherent entity in the 21st century. The module unites international relations scholarship with comparative politics literature, thereby complementing the International Relations and the Politics programmes of SPIRE.
PIR-30133 Political Parties: Origins &Organization EP M 7.5 15
In 1942, Schattschneider argued that 'modern democracy is unthinkable save in terms of political parties'. Though they are the targets of at times severe criticism, especially in the media, political parties remain key actors in the theory and practice of contemporary democracy. This helps explain why political science has long been interested in why political parties come to be formed and how they organise themselves. This thematically structured module focuses on political parties in western Europe. It will commence with a consideration of the nature and origins of parties, as well as their role in modern democracy. Its prime concern will be on parties as organizations. This will involve a discussion of the various types of party organization that have been identified in the literature, as well as of issues related to parties&© internal life. The types of questions that will be addressed include the internal distribution of power; the size and compositon of party membership; rank-and-file participation in parties and how and why parties choose to adapt their organizations. Students are encouraged to take the linked module entitled 'Party Systems and Elections' (PIR-30132), but are not obliged to do so, as each module is self-contained.
PIR-30133 Political Parties: Origins &Organization O M 7.5 15
In 1942, Schattschneider argued that 'modern democracy is unthinkable save in terms of political parties'. Though they are the targets of at times severe criticism, especially in the media, political parties remain key actors in the theory and practice of contemporary democracy. This helps explain why political science has long been interested in why political parties come to be formed and how they organise themselves. This thematically structured module focuses on political parties in western Europe. It will commence with a consideration of the nature and origins of parties, as well as their role in modern democracy. Its prime concern will be on parties as organizations. This will involve a discussion of the various types of party organization that have been identified in the literature, as well as of issues related to parties&© internal life. The types of questions that will be addressed include the internal distribution of power; the size and compositon of party membership; rank-and-file participation in parties and how and why parties choose to adapt their organizations. Students are encouraged to take the linked module entitled 'Party Systems and Elections' (PIR-30132), but are not obliged to do so, as each module is self-contained.
PIR-30135 Regime Change in the Balkans O M 7.5 15
Regime change in the Balkans is perceived as unfinished and problematic more than two decades after the collapse of communism. This module will introduce students to the communist and post-communist politics of Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, and the republics and regions of former Yugoslavia, within the context of change in the wider Balkans and Eastern Europe. The main themes covered by the course are: images of Balkan underdevelopment; the legacies of Sovietisation and national communism; transitions and modernisation in the new Balkan democracies; national, ethnic and religious problems; federalism, separatism and secession; the Yugoslav crisis zone; the place of the Balkans in European integration. The module consists of ten 2-hour seminars. The final module mark is based on: workbook/portfolio of weekly tasks (50%); 2-hour unseen written exam (50%).
PIR-30135 Regime Change in the Balkans EP M 7.5 15
Regime change in the Balkans is perceived as unfinished and problematic more than two decades after the collapse of communism. This module will introduce students to the communist and post-communist politics of Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, and the republics and regions of former Yugoslavia, within the context of change in the wider Balkans and Eastern Europe. The main themes covered by the course are: images of Balkan underdevelopment; the legacies of Sovietisation and national communism; transitions and modernisation in the new Balkan democracies; national, ethnic and religious problems; federalism, separatism and secession; the Yugoslav crisis zone; the place of the Balkans in European integration. The module consists of ten 2-hour seminars. The final module mark is based on: workbook/portfolio of weekly tasks (50%); 2-hour unseen written exam (50%).
Semester 1-2 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
PIR-30130 Dissertation in Politics and IR - ISP C C 15 30
Researching and writing a dissertation in Politics and/or International Relations during the final year of the undergraduate degree provides an opportunity for students to examine and investigate a specific topic, question or issue of their own choosing, in considerable depth. In addition, completing a dissertation enables students to develop critical transferable and employability skills, including key research skills, problem solving skills, information handling skills, and written communication skills. Students who have successfully completed a dissertation also demonstrate a clear ability to work independently and autonomously and to plan their activities and manage their time. This module provides the guidance students require to successfully undertake and complete a Level 3 dissertation in Politics and International Relations. It develops students&© knowledge of how research in the social sciences is planned, conducted and reported and it acquaints students with various forms of data, data collecting techniques, and types of analysis used in social science research. In addition, it develops and enhances students&© own research skills, including their ability to identify a dissertation topic and to formulate appropriate research questions; to identify, access and collate literature relevant to their dissertation; to apply existing or develop their own theoretical and conceptual frameworks; to identify and collect appropriate evidence/data; and to apply critical skills to formulate arguments, analyse evidence and reach conclusions so as to persuasively answer their research question. The module also develops students' ability to plan, structure and complete a more substantial piece of written work than is required for traditional 15 credit curriculum-based modules, and to conduct research independently and autonomously. The module is a 30 credit module and runs over both semesters. In the first semester, students attend ten 1-hour classes that focus on the different stages of the research process. Regular meetings between students and supervisor take place throughout both semesters. Assessment is based on a 1,500 word portfolio (submitted towards the end of Semester 1) which counts for 20% of the module mark, and a 8,500 word dissertation (submitted towards the end of Semester 2) which counts for the remaining 80% of the module mark.
Semester 2 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
PIR-30110 Politics and International Relations of the Middle East ll O M 7.5 15
The present module aims to further develop an understanding, increasingly comprehensive and critical, of the policy and scholarly debates about the political actors, ideologies, and processes that shape politics and international relations of the contemporary Middle East. Students will be expected to evaluate and situate ideas (including their own) into these debates and present coherent and well-studied arguments in seminars as well as in assignments. Seminar topics will include: The political challenges of the non-Arab Middle East (Turkey, Israel, and Iran); ethnic and religious minorities in the Middle East; religious revivalism and identity politics; democratization and political reform; and gender and human rights in the region.
PIR-30110 Politics and International Relations of the Middle East ll EP M 7.5 15
The present module aims to further develop an understanding, increasingly comprehensive and critical, of the policy and scholarly debates about the political actors, ideologies, and processes that shape politics and international relations of the contemporary Middle East. Students will be expected to evaluate and situate ideas (including their own) into these debates and present coherent and well-studied arguments in seminars as well as in assignments. Seminar topics will include: The political challenges of the non-Arab Middle East (Turkey, Israel, and Iran); ethnic and religious minorities in the Middle East; religious revivalism and identity politics; democratization and political reform; and gender and human rights in the region.
PIR-30112 The Northern Dimension: Resources, Environment and Security in the Arctic O C 7.5 15
Drowning polar bears, crumbling shores on melting seas, resource races towards the North Pole and sovereignty disputes in the high Arctic - this is the stuff of current media content concerning the circumpolar North, the Arctic once sublime! The Arctic certainly is changing. Its resources, environment and security are gaining a much higher policy profile in North America, the EU and in global scientific, environmental and economic forums, not least in the context of rising awareness of the pace and consequences of global climate change. But is the Arctic region set to become a cauldron of conflict or a zone of low tension and practical, cooperative endeavour? The Northern Dimension module allows students to investigate aspects of the politics and international relations of the Arctic. Students identify their own topic for investigation, exploring a research question using paper-based and web-based resources. They may also engage in email communication with any one of almost twenty experts in Arctic matters - academic professors, campaigning activists, technical experts etc - who together make up the module's "Experts' Gallery" and form the cutting edge of the Northern Dimension learning community established to support this module. Students deliver the developing fruits of their individual research project in a succession of ways - as an oral presentation to the seminar group; as a 2,500-word essay/article; and, finally, as a website of their own making, employing easily available website-editing software that is relatively simple to master and can be downloaded for free onto their computers/laptops. A range of generic employability skills are firmed up in this module - oral presentation, team-working, independent working etc, while some less familiar ones such as communicating effectively through websites, are developed. The assessment format is: 10% individual oral presentation; 40% 2,500 word essay/article; 50% individual website.
PIR-30112 The Northern Dimension: Resources, Environment and Security in the Arctic EP C 7.5 15
Drowning polar bears, crumbling shores on melting seas, resource races towards the North Pole and sovereignty disputes in the high Arctic - this is the stuff of current media content concerning the circumpolar North, the Arctic once sublime! The Arctic certainly is changing. Its resources, environment and security are gaining a much higher policy profile in North America, the EU and in global scientific, environmental and economic forums, not least in the context of rising awareness of the pace and consequences of global climate change. But is the Arctic region set to become a cauldron of conflict or a zone of low tension and practical, cooperative endeavour? The Northern Dimension module allows students to investigate aspects of the politics and international relations of the Arctic. Students identify their own topic for investigation, exploring a research question using paper-based and web-based resources. They may also engage in email communication with any one of almost twenty experts in Arctic matters - academic professors, campaigning activists, technical experts etc - who together make up the module's "Experts' Gallery" and form the cutting edge of the Northern Dimension learning community established to support this module. Students deliver the developing fruits of their individual research project in a succession of ways - as an oral presentation to the seminar group; as a 2,500-word essay/article; and, finally, as a website of their own making, employing easily available website-editing software that is relatively simple to master and can be downloaded for free onto their computers/laptops. A range of generic employability skills are firmed up in this module - oral presentation, team-working, independent working etc, while some less familiar ones such as communicating effectively through websites, are developed. The assessment format is: 10% individual oral presentation; 40% 2,500 word essay/article; 50% individual website.
PIR-30116 The Rise and Fall of the League of Nations O M 7.5 15
Tremendous hopes were pinned on the League of Nations when it was created in 1919, and considerable effort was put into the the League's quest for peace. Recent research confounds outdated conventional wisdom about the League being, in effect, a useless organisation. It was, in Lord Robert Cecil's words a 'great experiment'. By studying its tremendous achievements as well as its well-known failures, students will gain a deeper appreciation of the nature of interntional relations between the wars; the possibilities and limitation of international cooperation; the nature of international organisation; and the nature of international life. By writing essays on particular aspects of the League students will expand their knowledge of those aspects that particularly interest them.
PIR-30116 The Rise and Fall of the League of Nations EP M 7.5 15
Tremendous hopes were pinned on the League of Nations when it was created in 1919, and considerable effort was put into the the League's quest for peace. Recent research confounds outdated conventional wisdom about the League being, in effect, a useless organisation. It was, in Lord Robert Cecil's words a 'great experiment'. By studying its tremendous achievements as well as its well-known failures, students will gain a deeper appreciation of the nature of interntional relations between the wars; the possibilities and limitation of international cooperation; the nature of international organisation; and the nature of international life. By writing essays on particular aspects of the League students will expand their knowledge of those aspects that particularly interest them.
PIR-30118 Policing International Order O C 7.5 15
Policing is an international activity As a key component of post-Cold War liberal strategies, police reform became central to international projects that aimed to transform $ùweak states&© into apolitical rule of law zones governed through security practices. From having a marginal role in UN peacekeeping operations, policing very quickly established itself as an indispensable aspect of international security.This role was further enhanced in the wake of terrorist attacks on New York, London, Madrid and Bali. Together with NGOs and state development agencies, the UN, the EU and the OSCE have been instrumental in the resultant internationalization and militarization of the police in the international realm. This module draws upon criminology, history, international relations and political philosophy in order to explore the causes and consequences of this development and to assess its impact on post-conflict societies.
PIR-30118 Policing International Order EP C 7.5 15
Policing is an international activity As a key component of post-Cold War liberal strategies, police reform became central to international projects that aimed to transform $ùweak states&© into apolitical rule of law zones governed through security practices. From having a marginal role in UN peacekeeping operations, policing very quickly established itself as an indispensable aspect of international security.This role was further enhanced in the wake of terrorist attacks on New York, London, Madrid and Bali. Together with NGOs and state development agencies, the UN, the EU and the OSCE have been instrumental in the resultant internationalization and militarization of the police in the international realm. This module draws upon criminology, history, international relations and political philosophy in order to explore the causes and consequences of this development and to assess its impact on post-conflict societies.
PIR-30122 Eco-Cities: Visions of the Good City and Sustainable Development O C 7.5 15
This module will provide students with an in-depth and systematic understanding the problem of urban sustainability. Eco-city design is presented as the critical interface between human culture and the ecological integrity of the biosphere. Students go on (i) to explore the significance of earlier utopian visions of 'the good city' for current discourses of urban sustainability, and (ii) to explore the relevance of a range of technical concepts from ecological economics and sustainability theory to the problem of eco-city design. The module seeks to engage students with recent institutional, theoretical and conceptual changes in relation to urban ecology and sustainability. The final module mark is based upon the following: a 2,500 word essay (50%); a 2-hour unseen written exam (50%) and a presentation (0%).
PIR-30122 Eco-Cities: Visions of the Good City and Sustainable Development EP C 7.5 15
This module will provide students with an in-depth and systematic understanding the problem of urban sustainability. Eco-city design is presented as the critical interface between human culture and the ecological integrity of the biosphere. Students go on (i) to explore the significance of earlier utopian visions of 'the good city' for current discourses of urban sustainability, and (ii) to explore the relevance of a range of technical concepts from ecological economics and sustainability theory to the problem of eco-city design. The module seeks to engage students with recent institutional, theoretical and conceptual changes in relation to urban ecology and sustainability. The final module mark is based upon the following: a 2,500 word essay (50%); a 2-hour unseen written exam (50%) and a presentation (0%).
PIR-30126 Human Rights: Concepts, Norms and Identities O M 7.5 15
The module examines core understandings of human rights as moral and legal norms that protect all persons from serious violations of their freedom and access to decent standards of living. It considers the normative validity of protections afforded by international human rights covenants to freedom of conscience; due process and access to fair trial; entitlements not to be enslaved or tortured; and to be protected from poverty and genocide. The first part of the module focuses in particular on theoretical debates surrounding the justification of human rights, inquiring whether interests in rational agency or material wellbeing serve as an adequate source of legitimacy. It examines Rawls&© famous Law of Peoples, which claims that the self-determination of non-liberal peoples must be respected, and that liberals cannot justifiably impose sanctions to secure liberal political rights for all citizens of the world. The controversy over global responsibilities is then examined. Does the human right to live free from poverty and malnutrition entail that citizens of rich countries bear $ùperfect&©, or non-negotiable, duties of justice to alleviate global poverty? Or is this not an absolute duty of justice but a matter of charity? Moreover, do rich governments have a duty to refuse to participate in a world order that systemically violates the rights of the world&©s poor? The later stages of the module pose more specific questions: can historical human rights abuses of apartheid regimes ever be forgiven, and do the formerly oppressed have a duty to relinquish just claims against their oppressors in the name of peace? Finally, the moral individualism presupposed by the concept of human rights is questioned from non-western, post-modern and feminist perspectives.
PIR-30126 Human Rights: Concepts, Norms and Identities EP M 7.5 15
The module examines core understandings of human rights as moral and legal norms that protect all persons from serious violations of their freedom and access to decent standards of living. It considers the normative validity of protections afforded by international human rights covenants to freedom of conscience; due process and access to fair trial; entitlements not to be enslaved or tortured; and to be protected from poverty and genocide. The first part of the module focuses in particular on theoretical debates surrounding the justification of human rights, inquiring whether interests in rational agency or material wellbeing serve as an adequate source of legitimacy. It examines Rawls&© famous Law of Peoples, which claims that the self-determination of non-liberal peoples must be respected, and that liberals cannot justifiably impose sanctions to secure liberal political rights for all citizens of the world. The controversy over global responsibilities is then examined. Does the human right to live free from poverty and malnutrition entail that citizens of rich countries bear $ùperfect&©, or non-negotiable, duties of justice to alleviate global poverty? Or is this not an absolute duty of justice but a matter of charity? Moreover, do rich governments have a duty to refuse to participate in a world order that systemically violates the rights of the world&©s poor? The later stages of the module pose more specific questions: can historical human rights abuses of apartheid regimes ever be forgiven, and do the formerly oppressed have a duty to relinquish just claims against their oppressors in the name of peace? Finally, the moral individualism presupposed by the concept of human rights is questioned from non-western, post-modern and feminist perspectives.
PIR-30128 Protest and social movements O M 7.5 15
This course is about social movements and their role as vehicles of political protest and political and social change. Social movements are a universal phenomenon in modern societies and they have provoked controversy because they are generally critical of important features of the political or social system. Their critics might see them as extremists or hopelessly utopian while their supporters see in them the hope of more democracy or a better kind of society. The academic analysis of social movements does not escape these controversies, so one task that we will face in assessing different approaches to the study of social movements will be to disentangle the different views of the social world that underlie conflicting theories of protest and social movements. You will be expected to be able to comment on the strengths and weaknesses of explanatory theories of social movements, to place movements in a wider context and to assess the power relations and social forces that shape the political environment of social movements. The cases that we examine include: recent protests in Britain, protest against authoritarian regimes such as those in China, Burma and Eastern Europe pre-1989; protest movements in the global South such as the Zapatistas in Mexico, and feminist and environmental movements in Europe and North America. The themes that we cover include the place of protest in democracy, the evidence about how participates in protest and why, the kinds of protest action that social movement groups choose to pursue, the influence of the state and policing on protest, how radical activists organise and create alternative communities, and the different theoretical approaches to social movements.
PIR-30128 Protest and social movements EP M 7.5 15
This course is about social movements and their role as vehicles of political protest and political and social change. Social movements are a universal phenomenon in modern societies and they have provoked controversy because they are generally critical of important features of the political or social system. Their critics might see them as extremists or hopelessly utopian while their supporters see in them the hope of more democracy or a better kind of society. The academic analysis of social movements does not escape these controversies, so one task that we will face in assessing different approaches to the study of social movements will be to disentangle the different views of the social world that underlie conflicting theories of protest and social movements. You will be expected to be able to comment on the strengths and weaknesses of explanatory theories of social movements, to place movements in a wider context and to assess the power relations and social forces that shape the political environment of social movements. The cases that we examine include: recent protests in Britain, protest against authoritarian regimes such as those in China, Burma and Eastern Europe pre-1989; protest movements in the global South such as the Zapatistas in Mexico, and feminist and environmental movements in Europe and North America. The themes that we cover include the place of protest in democracy, the evidence about how participates in protest and why, the kinds of protest action that social movement groups choose to pursue, the influence of the state and policing on protest, how radical activists organise and create alternative communities, and the different theoretical approaches to social movements.
PIR-30129 Environmental Politics in the USA O M 7.5 15
The United States has a complex record of addressing environmental problems. Between 1965 and 1980 the country experienced a "golden age" of environmental policymaking when numerous laws were enacted to tackle problems such as air pollution, water pollution, and waste. Few new laws have been enacted in recent decades, however, leading some commentators to talk about "environmental gridlock" and describing the United States as a climate change "laggard". This module will examine the factors that drive environmental policymaking. Attention will be given to the nature of environmental problems, the role of interest groups and public opinion, and the way that political institutions and systems effect policymaking. Students will be required to write a position paper and a short research paper as part of their assessment, and will also be required to sit a two-hour examination.
PIR-30129 Environmental Politics in the USA EP M 7.5 15
The United States has a complex record of addressing environmental problems. Between 1965 and 1980 the country experienced a "golden age" of environmental policymaking when numerous laws were enacted to tackle problems such as air pollution, water pollution, and waste. Few new laws have been enacted in recent decades, however, leading some commentators to talk about "environmental gridlock" and describing the United States as a climate change "laggard". This module will examine the factors that drive environmental policymaking. Attention will be given to the nature of environmental problems, the role of interest groups and public opinion, and the way that political institutions and systems effect policymaking. Students will be required to write a position paper and a short research paper as part of their assessment, and will also be required to sit a two-hour examination.
PIR-30131 Education Politics and Policy EP C 7.5 15
Education has been the battleground for many competing policy ideas of the left and right. What ideologies and values drive policies in education? How do policy specialists analyse and compare these different approaches? This module will develop your skills in evaluating education policies. You will research and present answers to questions such as &«do religious schools teach more effectively and drive up overall test scores,&ª &«what effect do league tables have on teaching and the curriculum in schools and universities,&ª and &«do higher fees drive down student access to universities?&ª The module will identify frameworks that analysts use to study policies and practice using them on case studies. The content will consist of a comparison of education systems in the United Kingdom and United States, focusing on secondary and higher education. The two systems copy each other's policies, but have many stark differences in approach. Some key themes include the separation of church and state, local versus national control over schools and universities. Some previous study of public policy would be helpful, but is not required.
PIR-30131 Education Politics and Policy O C 7.5 15
Education has been the battleground for many competing policy ideas of the left and right. What ideologies and values drive policies in education? How do policy specialists analyse and compare these different approaches? This module will develop your skills in evaluating education policies. You will research and present answers to questions such as &«do religious schools teach more effectively and drive up overall test scores,&ª &«what effect do league tables have on teaching and the curriculum in schools and universities,&ª and &«do higher fees drive down student access to universities?&ª The module will identify frameworks that analysts use to study policies and practice using them on case studies. The content will consist of a comparison of education systems in the United Kingdom and United States, focusing on secondary and higher education. The two systems copy each other's policies, but have many stark differences in approach. Some key themes include the separation of church and state, local versus national control over schools and universities. Some previous study of public policy would be helpful, but is not required.
PIR-30132 Party Systems and Elections EP M 7.5 15
Modern democracy is characterised above all by a competitive struggle between political parties, who pursue votes as a means to obtain political office and achieve their policy goals. This module examines aspects of that competitive struggle (i.e. the 'party system'), which parties conduct not only in the electoral arena, but also in parliament and in (coalition) government. The module focuses on the western European experience. Examples of the type of questions it will address include the nature and origins of party systems; how we might best capture change in party competition, as well as the causes and significance of party system change. In addition, the module is likely to examine competing theories of voting behaviour; as well as the patterns, causes and significance of recent changes in electoral behaviour. Students are encouraged to take this module alongside that on parties' origins and organization (PIR-30133), but this is not essential and each is thus each self-contained.
PIR-30132 Party Systems and Elections O M 7.5 15
Modern democracy is characterised above all by a competitive struggle between political parties, who pursue votes as a means to obtain political office and achieve their policy goals. This module examines aspects of that competitive struggle (i.e. the 'party system'), which parties conduct not only in the electoral arena, but also in parliament and in (coalition) government. The module focuses on the western European experience. Examples of the type of questions it will address include the nature and origins of party systems; how we might best capture change in party competition, as well as the causes and significance of party system change. In addition, the module is likely to examine competing theories of voting behaviour; as well as the patterns, causes and significance of recent changes in electoral behaviour. Students are encouraged to take this module alongside that on parties' origins and organization (PIR-30133), but this is not essential and each is thus each self-contained.
PIR-30134 British State and Society during the Cold War O C 7.5 15
This course offers an in-depth look at Britain's Cold War policies, and the multiple relationships between Britain's external policies and domestic politics and culture during the Cold War. Broadly speaking, it uses primarily a historical perspective to ask what was Britain's role in the Cold War, and how did the Cold War affect British people? The module begins with an examination of why Britain chose to develop and to sustain its own nuclear weapon; and it contemplates the basis of Britain's security policy through an exploration of British intelligence and perceptions of the Soviet threat. It entertains in detail the reasons for and implications of Britain's civil and home defence policies, and considers domestic films about the implications of nuclear war and the plans government drew up to cope (or not) with apocalypse. It then moves on to contemplate Britain's internal security regime, examining the state's perceptions of domestic enemies and the measures established to deal with them. Further, it considers dominant political discourses in the Cold War, and the dissemination, assimilation or rejection of these discourses, through an examination of British politics, and key films and novels of the Cold War era. For example, did the American CIA influence British party politics? Or what can James Bond tell us about ideas of the enemy in the Cold War climate? Students also have the opportunity to examine primary documents about the period, to visit the nuclear bunker at Hack Green, and to imagine what would have happened if nuclear war had come to Cold War Britain.... Suggested reading: Peter Hennessy, The Secret State: Whitehall and the Cold War (Penguin, 2003) Sean Greenwood, Britain in the Cold War, 1945-1991 (Macmillan, 1999) Tony Shaw, British Cinema and the Cold War (IB Tauris, 2000) Stephen Whitfield, Culture and the Cold War (John Hopkins, 1991) Teaching format: weekly 2-hour seminars Assessment: 30% Paper, 10% Class Participation, 60% Essay
PIR-30134 British State and Society during the Cold War EP C 7.5 15
This course offers an in-depth look at Britain's Cold War policies, and the multiple relationships between Britain's external policies and domestic politics and culture during the Cold War. Broadly speaking, it uses primarily a historical perspective to ask what was Britain's role in the Cold War, and how did the Cold War affect British people? The module begins with an examination of why Britain chose to develop and to sustain its own nuclear weapon; and it contemplates the basis of Britain's security policy through an exploration of British intelligence and perceptions of the Soviet threat. It entertains in detail the reasons for and implications of Britain's civil and home defence policies, and considers domestic films about the implications of nuclear war and the plans government drew up to cope (or not) with apocalypse. It then moves on to contemplate Britain's internal security regime, examining the state's perceptions of domestic enemies and the measures established to deal with them. Further, it considers dominant political discourses in the Cold War, and the dissemination, assimilation or rejection of these discourses, through an examination of British politics, and key films and novels of the Cold War era. For example, did the American CIA influence British party politics? Or what can James Bond tell us about ideas of the enemy in the Cold War climate? Students also have the opportunity to examine primary documents about the period, to visit the nuclear bunker at Hack Green, and to imagine what would have happened if nuclear war had come to Cold War Britain.... Suggested reading: Peter Hennessy, The Secret State: Whitehall and the Cold War (Penguin, 2003) Sean Greenwood, Britain in the Cold War, 1945-1991 (Macmillan, 1999) Tony Shaw, British Cinema and the Cold War (IB Tauris, 2000) Stephen Whitfield, Culture and the Cold War (John Hopkins, 1991) Teaching format: weekly 2-hour seminars Assessment: 30% Paper, 10% Class Participation, 60% Essay
C Compulsory Core Module
O Optional Core Module
EP Programme Elective Module
EA Approved Elective Module
EF Free-Standing Elective Module
M Mixed Assessment e.g. a mixture of essay(s) and examination, with the latter's weighting below 90%.
E Examination, providing 90% or more of the mark.
C Continuous Assessment e.g. essay(s) or practical work (as appropriate).
+ Available to qualified non-principal, Erasmus, Exchange and Study Abroad students but there may be a restriction on the number of places available
~ Specific pre-requisite(s) needed by non-principal, Erasmus, Exchange and Study Abroad students wishing to take these modules
# Not normally available to Erasmus, Exchange and Study Abroad students (except by prior negotiation with Departmental Tutor)
Note: Modules not marked with a # are available to suitably qualified Erasmus, Exchange and Study Abroad students.