PIR-10069 - Module Specification
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

How do we make sense of studying politics and the changing nature of politics? This module is designed to provide you with an introduction to the contestable nature of politics and its relevance in contemporary society. What is power? What is democracy? What seems to be going wrong with democracies throughout the world? These key questions are incredibly important at this moment in history. We will analyse how well these concepts describe what is happening in current events. You will tackle the complexities of the modern politics by discussing current national and/or world issues from diverse perspectives and angles and learning how to systematically analyse these problems and proposed solutions to them.

How do we make sense of studying politics and the changing nature of politics? This module addresses the contestable nature of politics and its relevance in contemporary society. You will explore the concepts of power, democracy and terrorism, applying these concepts to contemporary issues to better understand the political world. You will engage with external actors to reflect on how current national and/or world issues are framed from diverse perspectives and angles, working in small groups to develop your ideas.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Explain concepts, theories and methods used in the study of politics and apply these to the analysis of political ideas, actors, institutions and behaviour.: 1,2,3
Evaluate different interpretations of political ideas, institutions, events and issues.: 1,2,3
Describe the concepts of power and democracy. Analyse how they appear in practice.: 2,3
Describe different theoretical approaches to the study of politics. Evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.: 1,2,3
Describe the social, economic, historical and cultural contexts of political behaviour.: 2,3
Evaluate the accuracy and reliability of sources, and use that knowledge to appropriately discuss and apply evidence in making an argument.: 2,3

Study hours

22 hours lectures
22 hours tutorials
4 hours of assessment guidance and drop-ins
32 hours preparation for presentation
20 hours preparation for essay plan
120 hours reading and preparing for tutorials
80 hours researching and writing essay

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment