Politics, Philosophy and Economics

Preparing for Learning in Higher Education

This module is designed to give you the best possible start to your university studies, making sure you have all the essential skills you need to succeed. Through lectures and workshops we will teach you how to write in an academic style, how to find quality sources, how to reference work, culminating in writing up a mini-research project.

Introduction to Study in the Humanities

This module equips you with a suite of analytical and theoretical tools to support you as you progress along your academic journey. You'll develop an interdisciplinary understanding of approaches to study in the humanities by working with a variety of resources, including novels, films and aspects of the visual arts.

Research in the Humanities, Social Sciences and Education

This module will equip you with the necessary skills to conduct and analyse research in a specific interest, supported by academics within your subject. You'll navigate through the research process, from identifying an area of interest to presenting their findings to your peers.

Group Challenge (Humanities)

Formulate and execute a group led enquiry into texts, cultural artifacts, film, music or dance. You'll explore their topics in groups at supervised workshops and develop questions on the cultural object relates to the living world of human experience, as well as developing your own methods to answer these questions.

Foundation in Data Analysis

Develop a strong foundation in data collection and analysis. This module will introduce you to qualitative and quantitative data and how to analyse it; the collection of primary and secondary data; the production of high quality graphics; and report writing.

Academic Writing Skills

Developing confidence in expression, oral as well as written, is a key feature of this module, which also aims to familiarise you with submission and assessment procedures in the context of Higher Education. This is a clear building block onto your degree programme and places you at a distinct advantage when you move into the following year.

British Political History since 1945

The UK's political history after World War Two: from Eden to the EEC and from Wilson to the 'Winter of Discontent', encounter the people, ideas and policies that have shaped modern Britain.

Introduction to Political Ideologies

Political action is collective action among people who share beliefs. This module explores the most important formulations of these collective views. It explores political ideologies that defend the status quo, those who wish to reform it, and those that seek a radically different political reality.

Introduction to Economics

This introduction covers both microeconomics (the affairs of individual consumers, firms and government) and macroeconomics (the study of the economy as a whole).

Introduction to Policy-Making

This module provides an introduction and explanation of the plural theories and models of policy making before applying these theories and models to the practice of policy-making, via a series of case studies of policy-making in practice.

Introduction to Global Political Economy

You'll gain the tools to understand and explain developments in the global political economy and be introduced to international political economy, one of the main sub-disciplines of politics and international relations. You will trace the evolution of ideas, institutions and policies related to global financial markets, transnational production, global division of labour, gender and climate change.

Science and Social Values

Examine whether, and how, science is different from other modes of investigating and thinking about the world. You'll study relevant contemporary controversies (e.g. the relation between science and religion, and creationism, as well as other alternative world views), the exclusionary nature of many of its technological fruits, and the contingency of the Western model of science.

Rethinking Political Economy

Rethinking Political Economy enables students to explore plural perspectives drawn from the history of ideas in political economy from its early development in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries to the contemporary rethinking of political economy. Particular focus is placed upon the confrontation both of historical power imbalances, notably the relocation of the previously marginalized perspectives of female political economists to the very centre and cutting edge of the discipline, and urgent issues of human development, notably inequalities in income and wealth, and mitigation of and adaptation to human-induced climate change

Political Research

In this module you will begin the journey of becoming an independent and autonomous political researcher. You will learn more about how Political Research – especially that conducted within the School of Politics and International Studies – is produced, and be equipped with the understanding and skills necessary to design your own political research project. This module will prepare you for the Final Year Project and for putting into practice your own programme of research.

History of Political Thought

The history of political thought provides us with experiences of a wealth of perspectives on issues that still occupy central places in human life: the role of power in our collective relationships; the duties of the citizen and the obligations of the state; what it means to be free or equal or oppressed. This module explores some of the most influential and challenging positions from ancient Greek times to the late-nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The module explores the feminist thinkers and others who were and are viewed as radicals, as well as more moderate figures, whose influences remain today.

British Government

In the age of Brexit who governs Britain? Discover the workings of the British state and where power lies. From the uncodified constitution, the Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet government to Whitehall, English local government, Scottish and Welsh devolution to the great parties of state: the Conservative Party and the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats. Encounter the traditions, institutions and political parties which govern Britain.

The Global South and Development

Explore the challenges of development for the Global South from a cross-regional comparative political economy perspective. You'll gain an understanding of the theoretical and practical debates around development, and their implications for international relations. You'll also examine the role of states, markets, international organisations, non-governmental organisations and civil society in fostering (or inhibiting) development. 

Understanding Terrorism

In this module you will examine the roots of contemporary terrorism and counterterrorism and be introduced to critical terrorism studies. You will assess the justifications terrorist, extremist and politically violent groups have offered for their actions, as well as the ethics of state and other responses. You will examine how terrorism relates to military action and war, and to violent and non-violent protest, and you will hear and read about terrorism across a range of international, political and cultural contexts. The module will seek to equip you to make informed and critically reflective analyses of terrorism as a contemporary issue.

Macroeconomics: Managing the Economy

You’ll learn the ways that government policy affects the course of the economy through its influence on the rate of inflation, economic growth, and the level of employment.

Questioning Rights and Wrongs: Thinking About Ethics

Examine 21^st century ethics through a range of case studies from topical issues concerning race relations, gender inclusivity, the environment and animal rights, immigration and nationalism, postcolonial reparations, and disability issues. You'll become increasingly familiar and fluent with this wider range of philosophical insights and gain the skills to understand, articulate and promote dialogue between the often-competing views on the issues we encounter.

Minds, Brains, and Machines

What is it to be minded? What is it to be a person? You'll consider the relation of the mind to the body, explore what being conscious or embodied means and examine the place of mindedness in a natural world apparently devoid of its attributes.

Microeconomics: Learning Through Games and Simulations

Discover microeconomics: You’ll use games and simulations to understand the behaviour and interactions of individuals, businesses and the government.

Theorising Gender

Examine theories of gender relations, looking at masculinity and femininity, the relationship of gender and sexuality and the intersections of gender with other social divisions. 

Dissertation

Choose a topic you are passionate about and make an original contribution to research by designing, carrying out, and delivering a 10,000-word thesis. Over the course of your final year you will conduct independent research, supported by an academic supervisor.

One-Trimester Internship

Apply knowledge learned on your degree in a real working environment on one of our unique internship opportunities - enhance your chance of getting a job at the same time.

One Trimester Abroad

An opportunity to study for a semester abroad at any of our partner institutions. Select a number of modules on offer from the host institution to count towards your degree.

UK Politics in an Age of Decline and Renewal

Explore topics that have been implemented by the Cameron-Clegg coalition, May and Johnson Governments since the May 2010 General Election. You'll investigate the politics of austerity, reform of public services and the NHS, the welfare state, Brexit and the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Culture Wars

What causes the culture wars? Explore the controversies. From identity politics to free speech and BLM to transgenderism.

Economics of Government

In many countries, the state's share of spending is more than 30 per cent. This module explores how governments decide on their spending and how they raise the money to pay for it.

Political Thought of the Right

This module offers a thorough education in the political thought of the “Right” from the upheavals of the ancient world to those of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. It introduces you to the lives and works of major authors from various traditions—conservatives, nationalists, radical individualists—whose ideas have made lasting contributions to the contemporary politics of the “Right” in both theory and practice, and for better and worse. Together we will read and debate a straightforward module anthology of classic texts by authors from diverse cultures and traditions: from the war between Athens and Sparta and mediaeval laudations of the English constitution, to radical and dangerous visions of moral counter-revolution, national rebirth.

Single Trimester Project

The Single Trimester Project module provides you with an opportunity to engage in and write up your own political research project.  In researching and writing your project you will work primarily one-to-one with your supervisor, but the module also involves a degree of team work and peer support.

Brave New World: The Internet

This timely, fascinating module is about the Internet revolution and its impact on our lives, on politics and society. The module combines theory with practical case studies and thus is very relevant to all students who utilise the Internet for their daily activities. The module balances the raison d'être of the Internet, freedom of expression, against no less important principle: social responsibility, and ponders what responsibilities we have as Internet users and as readers of information, what are the responsibilities of Internet intermediaries, and what are the responsibilities of the government and of the international community at large to ensure an innovative and secure digital environment.

While observing friendship and romance on the Internet, the module also questions whether self-regulation work. Is government regulation required to tackle terrorism, racism, child pornography and cyberbullying?