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PIR-10069 - Module Specification
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 16 September 2026

PIR-10069 - Making Sense of Politics
Coordinator: Gemma Loomes Room: CBA1.038 Tel: +44 1782 7 34236
Lecture Time:
Level: Level 4
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

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, and who has power? What is democracy? How important are ideologies, nationalism and populism in shaping the modern world? You will tackle the complexities of the politics by discussing current issues from diverse perspectives and angles, to explore how different political ideas and concepts can help us to make sense of the world around us.

Aims
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.: 2,3
Describe the concepts of power and democracy and analyse how they appear in practice.: 1
Describe different theoretical approaches to the study of politics and 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

20 hours of lectures
20 hours of tutorials
2 hours of a community organising workshop
8 hours of presentation sessions, presentation feedback sessions, assessment workshops and assessment drop-in sessions
30 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

1: Presentation weighted 30%
Group Presentation
15-20 minute presentation in groups of 3-4 students on the theme of 'what is politics?' These presentations take place in class. All students receive a group mark that is then peer moderated, so all students ultimately receive an individual mark.

2: Essay-Plan weighted 20%
Essay Plan
Write a 500-word essay plan for one of the essay questions provided, based on the module topics. (This provides feedback to guide the final essay, but the two marks are achieved independent of one another and there is no requirement that students answer the same question as they do for assessment 3.)

3: Essay weighted 50%
Essay
Write a 1500-word essay answering a question based on the module topics, chosen from a list.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 16 September 2026