Politics

Description

We live at a time of great social upheaval and dramatic political change. The rapid pace of globalisation has left old national boundaries more fragile than ever. And with the rise of new political actors, movements and institutions that transcend those boundaries, humanity faces an uncertain future.

BA Politics in the School of Politics and International Studies will help you to grapple with this tremendously complex set of circumstances.

The unique range of country and conceptual expertise in our School will provide you with a comprehensive grounding in fundamental political ideas, structures and approaches. With that foundation in place, you will develop your own expertise and tailor your module selection in order to build a portfolio of in-depth study around your own interests and concerns.

You will receive foundational teaching in all of the core areas of the School’s expertise, including modules in political theory, comparative politics and British politics, in international relations and in development studies.

Among the skills learned at this time, you will also develop your ability to communicate, both orally and in writing. You will develop your time-management and team-working abilities as you work, both independently and in groups, to deliver a range of assessed outputs.

You will then build on your knowledge by studying more advanced modules in British Central Government, political systems, political theory and the methods of political analysis. As well as further developing the skills already introduced, you will learn new skills of political enquiry and research.

In your final year, you will produce an extended piece of individual research on a topic of your choosing in the politics dissertation, and complement that study by selecting from a wide range of specialised modules delivered by staff in areas of their own research expertise. These activities will foster your development of independent learning and research skills

• understand the the mechanisms of power and influence in public life
• develop career-oriented expertise in policy and public affairs
• construct practical solutions to real political challenges
• grasp the key dynamics of different political systems

... then choose BA Politics.

Detailed Course Facts

• EUR 11000 Year (EEA)
• EUR 15500 Year (Non-EEA)

UK/EU student fees
£9,000 per year full-time.

International student fees
£12,900 per year full-time.

• English

Course Content

Year one introduces you to key concepts and debates within politics.

You take compulsory modules to fulfil your core programme of study.

Compulsory modules

Freedom, Power and Resistance: An Introducation to Political Ideas is an introduction to political theory and an invitation for you to subject your own political views to critical examination, to work out what you think and why you think it.

International Politics introduces you to the complex changes currently underway in the international system and their political implications across the globe. We discuss the main ideas, concepts and philosophies that inform the contemporary world order.

Making of the Modern World examines the current divide between the global North and South, and considers the impact of colonialism, capitalist industrialisation and the slave trade upon the contemporary situation. You will analyse the history of resistance to colonial rule, the attraction of socialism to post-independent governments, and examine the legacies of colonial rule across the Americas, Africa and Asia.

Comparative Politics involves the systematic study and comparison of political systems. In this module you will examine the political systems of 3 different nations from across the globe, focusing on their respective political histories, political economies, party systems, social movements and foreign policies.

British Politics provides an introduction to British Politics since 1945 focussing on key debates about the changing character and conduct of politics; the social and economic context of politics; political ideas and party alignments; Britain’s international position and constitutional developments.

Studying and Researching in POLIS is a five credit, supernumeracy skills module.

Discovery modules

You choose a number of discovery modules to make up your year. Discovery modules allow you to study modules that may be taught outside your subject or home school.

In Year two, you have more flexibility in your study and can direct your degree towards the areas that interest you most.

Compulsory module

Approaches to Analysis introduces you to the ways that we conduct research in the social sciences, with particular emphasis on approaches commonly used in the fields of politics, international development and international relations. You will engage with key methodologies, theoretical frameworks and methods used in practical research.

Optional modules

You will be required to study between one or two modules from the following list.

• Revolution and Reaction: Political Problems in the 20th Century
• Justice, Community and Conflict

You will be required to study between one and four modules from the following list.

• British Central Government
• The Conservative Party from Churchill to Cameron
• Spin doctors and Electioneering
• Politics and Policy in the EU
• United States Politics
• Comparative Politics of Pacific Asia
• Politics of Contemporary China
• State and Politics in Africa

You may then choose up to three modules from the following list.

• Development approaches
• Comparative public policy
• Beliefs and attitudes in Politics
• Development and Social Change
• North-South Linkages
• Theories of International Relations
• Security Studies
• Career Planning for POLIS Students

Discovery modules

You may also choose up to two discovery modules to make up your year. Discovery modules allow you to study modules that may be taught outside your subject or home school.

Compulsory module

The only compulsory module in Year three is your Dissertation. This is a piece of written work of 12,000 words, and can be researched on a topic of your own choice. It is designed to allow you to produce an extended piece of written work on a topic of special interest to you.

Optional modules

You will then choose between two and four optional modules from the following list.

• Elections and Voters
• British Political Parties
• British Foreign Policy
• Prime Ministers and British Politics
• The End of British Politics?
• Extreme Right Parties in Contemporary Europe
• Britain and the EU
• Europe in the World
• Politics of Islamism
• Israel: Politics and Society
• Exploring Political Theory
• Political Psychology: On Authority and Obedience
• Culture and Community: Theoretical Perspectives
• Machiavelli and the Making of Modernity
• Analysing Data in Politics, Development and International Relations
• Feminist Challenges to Political Theory

You will then also need to choose up to two modules from the following list.

• Land, Fuel and Agriculture
• Gender and Violence
• Violence and Reconciliation in Africa
• The Responsibility to Protect and to Prosecute
• Crisis Diplomacy: Coercion, Sanctions and the Use of Force in International Relations
• Dirty War: Insurgency, the State and Cities
• Terrorism and Security
• Video Games: Politics, Society and Culture.

Discovery modules

You may take one discovery module to make up your programme. Discovery modules allow you to study modules that may be taught outside your subject or home school.

You will usually take three modules in each semester. There are normally two weekly lectures and one weekly seminar for each module in the first year of the degree. Formal contact time in the first year is normally nine hours per week.

Contact time

We offer a range of opportunities for extra contact time with staff and other students in order to deliver a comprehensive learning programme.

First, all teaching staff hold three feedback hours per week during which you can drop in for one-to-one consultation and tutoring. Secondly, you will allocated a personal tutor with whom you will meet regularly throughout the year to discuss your progress and plans. Thirdly, we organise a lively programme of research seminars and lectures which all students are encouraged to attend. Finally, the School operates a student-led discussion programme in which you are able to discuss your work among your peers in an informal setting.

Teaching methods

We deliver our teaching through lectures and small group seminar and tutorial sessions. Independent learning is also a major part of degree-level study.

Lectures provide an introduction to module topics and a framework for further independent study. Comprehensive reading lists are available for all modules and you are expected to prepare thoroughly for seminars and tutorials by reading widely and engaging with essential texts.

Seminars and tutorials provide an opportunity for you to work through and discuss key issues, problems and difficulties among your peers and under the guidance of your tutors. The sessions involve some or all of the following teaching methods: question and answer, group work, individual or group presentations and open student and tutor-led discussions.

Finally, all modules have an on-line presence in the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The VLE houses a variety of learning resources including lecture notes, presentation slides and audio podcasts, digitised readings and links to other web-based media.

Assessment

The course uses a variety of assessment methods including coursework essays, exams, group projects, critical reviews and reports. We offer you feedback on your work throughout the course of the degree; we provide this through direct comments on assessed work and also meetings with module tutors and personal tutors.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5 CAE score : 60(Grade C) TOEFL iBT® test : 92

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

Our standard entry requirements are three A levels, or two A levels and two AS levels.

In general, prospective applicants for our degree courses will be in the process of studying two 'traditional' academic subjects for A level, with a third in any other subject.

We do not require A level Politics for any of our degrees, and we design our first year modules for students both with and without previous knowledge of Politics.

We accept General Studies as an A level for all of our programmes except BA Economics and Politics, and we welcome applications that include vocational A level subjects: for example, AVCE (single or double awards). Any combination of A levels or AVCE is acceptable.

Current academic requirements

• BA International Development: ABB.
• BA International Relations: AAB.
• BA Politics: AAB.
• BA Politics and Parliamentary Studies: AAB, including interview.
• BA Economics and Politics: AAB, plus A in GCSE Mathematics. Excludes General Studies.

Equivalent qualifications

There are many other European and International qualifications that we accept.

Further advice can be also be sought by contacting our Admissions Office directly.

Language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require evidence of English language ability in reading, writing and speaking. If you do not hold an English language equivalent to UK GCSE standard, then you should hold one of the following qualifications.

• IELTS: 6.5, with no less than 6.0 in each component.
• TOEFL (internet-based test): 92 with not less than 21 in listening, 21 in reading, 23 in speaking and 22 in writing.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Leeds.