Politics

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Local:$ 11.4 k Foreign:$ 20.8 k  
149 place StudyQA ranking:6268 Duration:36 months

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About

Teaching is at the centre of the activities of the School of Government & International Affairs where undergraduates enjoy a vibrant and challenging intellectual environment. The School places great importance on research-led teaching, which integrates new and cutting-edge research into the curriculum and introduces students to a variety of research-oriented skills and research-based projects.

Undergraduate teaching is structured around three main streams: Political Thought, Political Institutions, and International Relations. Students move from generalist courses in these areas in their early years to more specialised options in Honours Politics which explore the diverse and dynamic politics of the contemporary world. Modules in the second and third years reflect the research expertise of the School’s members of staff. Such areas include, but are not limited to: European Politics, the History of Political Thought, Middle East Politics, the Politics of East Asia and International Relations Theory.

Students on this programme learn through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, research-based group simulations, informal but scheduled one-on-one support, and self-directed learning, such as research, reading, and writing.

All of these are supported by a state of the art virtual learning environment, Durham University Online (DUO). Seminars and tutorials are much smaller groups than lectures, small enough to allow one-on-one interaction with tutors.

Simulation exercises afford research-led experience of how political science applies to the real world, as well as group-working and communication skills. This emphasis on small-group and practical teaching reflects a conscious choice to enhance the quality of the learning experience rather than the quantity of formal sessions. In fact, the degree programme is designed to feature fewer formal sessions and more independent research as students move from their first to their final year.

Small-group teaching and one-on-one attention from the personal academic advisor (provided for all students when they enter the programme) are part of the learning experience throughout, but by the final year classroom time gives way, to some extent, to independent research, including a capstone dissertation—supported by one-on-one supervision—that makes up a third of final year credits. In this way the degree programme systematically transforms the student from a consumer of knowledge in the classroom to a generator of knowledge, ready for professional or postgraduate life.

These formal teaching arrangements are supported by “drop-in” surgeries with teaching staff and induction sessions that begin in the week before the start of the programme and continue at key times throughout each year of the programme.

Students can also attend an extensive programme of research-focused seminars where staff and visiting scholars present their cutting edge research.

Content

Year 1

Compulsory modules

  • Ideas and Ideologies
  • Democratic Political Systems.

Plus one of the following:

  • International Security, Interdependence and Organisation
  • Global Regions in International Relations
  • Theory and History in International Relations.

Optional modules vary but in the past have included:

  • Introduction to Islam and the Muslim World
  • Introduction to Middle East Politics
  • or modules offered by other departments.

Year 2

Compulsory modules

  • Research Project plus either Foundations of Western Political Thought or Democracy and Democratic Theory

Plus one of the following:

  • International Relations Theory
  • Politics of Pacific Asia
  • International Organisations
  • Global Political Economy
  • Middle East in the International System.

Elective modules vary but in the past have included:

  • The Israel-Palestine Question
  • German Politics and Society
  • or a module offered by another department.

Year 3

Compulsory module

  • Dissertation (Double).

Optional modules vary but in the past have included:

  • Culture and Conflict in American Politics 
  • The Ethics of Violence in International Relations
  • Theories of Liberty
  • The Political Economy of the European Union
  • Elections and British Politics
  • a module offered by another department

Subject requirements, level and grade

In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:

  • We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study. Please contact our Admissions Selectors
  • Grade A in a Social Science or Humanities subject at A-level, or equivalent, is required
  • Grade A in a Social Science or Humanities Subject at GCSE, is preferred but not required
  • We do not include General Studies or Critical Thinking as part of our offer
  • If you do not satisfy our general entry requirements, the Foundation Centre offers multidisciplinary degrees to prepare you for a range of specified degree courses. 
  • We are pleased to consider applications for deferred entry.

Preferred Tests:

a. IELTS: 6.5 (no component under 6.0)

b. TOEFL iBT (internet based test): 92 (no component under 23)

c. Cambridge Proficiency (CPE): Grade C

d. Cambridge Advanced (CAE): Grade A

e. Cambridge IGCSE First Language English at Grade C or above [not normally acceptable for students who require a Tier 4 student visa]

f. Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language at Grade B or above [not normally acceptable for students who require a Tier 4 student visa]

g. GCSE English Language at grade C or above

h. Pearson Test of English (overall score 62 (with no score less than 56 in each component))

Alternative accepted tests when those listed in a.-h. above are unavailable to the applicant (if the applicant requires a Tier 4 visa to study, advice on the suitability of these alternatives must be sought from the Student Recruitment and Admissions Office):

i. Certificate of Attainment (Edexcel)

j. GCE A-levels (AQA, CIE, Edexcel, CCEA, OCR, WJEC) at grade C or above in an essay based, humanities or social science subject from the following list: History, Philosophy, Government and Politics, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Religious Studies, Economics, Business Studies, Law and Sociology. Modern or Classical Languages are not acceptable in meeting this requirement.

k. International Baccalaureate with a minimum of grade 5 in Standard Level English or a minimum of grade 5 if taken at Higher Level.

l. NEAB (JMB) Test in English (Overseas)

m. Singapore Integrated Programme (SIPCAL) at grade C or above in an essay based, humanities or social science subject from the following list: History, Philosophy, Government and Politics, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Religious Studies, Economics, Business Studies, Law and Sociology. Modern or Classical Languages are not acceptable in meeting this requirement.

n. Singapore Polytechnic Diploma and Advanced Diplomas at GPA 3.0 or above

o. WAEC and NECO Grade B3 or above from Nigeria and Ghana

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