Introduction:

This distinctive Politics degree examines the theory and practice of politics, integrating both national and international perspectives. You'll learn about the significance of an increasingly globalised political environment and understand the significance of politics as a human activity.

If you have a keen interest in current affairs and international trends, then the BA (Hons) Politics degree at Cornard is ideal for you. This course encourages you to engage directly as a political scientist or theorist by doing your own independent research, culminating in the production of a final year dissertation on a topic of your choice.

Throughout the degree you'll develop a greater awareness of the complexity and connectedness of the processes that shape our world. This opens up careers in a wide range of fields in the public and private sectors, fostering the skills, imagination, understanding and flexibility that employers demand.

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Why choose this course?

• The research of our academic staff feeds directly into the course, which means you will be learning about the latest issues from world-renowned experts. The team also regularly contribute their thoughts about worldwide events and incidents to the local, national and international media.

• You may have the opportunity to gain work experience with local and national organisations, and to study abroad as part of the Erasmus foreign exchange scheme.

• You can choose to get involved with the student-run Politics society, which has arranged guest lectures from local MPs and numerous trips to places such as the European Parliament in Brussels.

• 93% of students on this course think staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey, 2021).

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What you’ll study

This distinctive degree examines the theory and practice of politics, integrating both national and international perspectives. You'll learn about the significance of an increasingly globalised political environment and understand the significance of politics as a human activity.

The content of this course reflects the fact that politics in the 21st Century takes place at a global level and is experienced in everyday life – in struggles against discrimination and in our interactions as consumers, workers, readers and viewers.

You won't simply study politics, you'll also have the opportunity to practice what you learn outside of the classroom. We actively encourage our students to recognise, develop, record and reflect upon learning opportunities available to them through engagement with a wider programme of co-curricular events and activities. All first year students take the module Politics and International Relations in Practice, which facilitates your involvement in relevant co-curricular activities, helping you to practice and develop your politics skill set in ‘real-world’ contexts.

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• Year One

• Year Two

• Final year

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Core modules

Foundations and Challenges to International Relations

You’ll study the conceptual and historical areas necessary for understanding the dynamic nature of contemporary international relations. These include structuralism, post-structuralism and post-modernism, feminism, green theory and critical theory. You will also gain an understanding of the actual practices of resistances to orthodoxy embodied in social movements, popular direct action, and aesthetic-cultural forms of representation.

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British Political History

Explore the development of British political history from the civil wars of the 17th Century up to the case for membership of the European Community in the late 20th Century.

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British Politics: Governing in a Global Age

This module will introduce you to the basic concepts related to the study of British politics and government. It identifies significant actors in the political and government systems of the UK and its territorial polities, and identifies and interprets their role, functions and interrelations.

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Political Ideologies in Conflict

Explore the main political ideologies that have emerged over the past three centuries.  You’ll learn the historical and contextual emergence of each ideology, alongside their continuing relevance for shaping today’s global society. The works associated with key political theorists will be studied closely, and you’ll explore not only the unity within each ideology, but also their internal complexity. Of particular importance will be appreciating the significance of human nature, and more specifically the way this feeds into each ideologies’ view on how society should function.

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Media, Power and Politics

You’ll be introduced to the key concepts, theories and approaches to understanding the nature and impact of mass media in contemporary politics (and society). You’ll also consider the political ramifications of the developing structure, ownership and technologies of contemporary media in Britain, the range of key "players" involved in political communication, and you'll assess both competing and common interests and behaviour.

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Politics and International Relations in Practice

This module will allow you to take part in real-world politics, such as participating in our Student Parliament, the Politics and International Relations society, or other relevant activity within or outside of the University.