COURSE CURRICULUM

In Year 1, students of Politics and International Relations will explore a variety of modules that introduce core concepts and critical thinking tools. Block 1, "Ideas and Change in Politics and International Relations," engages with foundational political theories and examines how they have evolved, particularly in light of modern contributions from gender studies, postcolonial research, and queer theory. Students will evaluate whether traditional ideas like sovereignty have been used to justify political order or colonization, and consider contemporary questions such as data ownership and human rights. Block 2, "Journeys and Places," offers an interdisciplinary approach, allowing students to explore themes such as mobility, identity, and sustainability, integrating ideas from across the humanities. Additionally, students can choose between two Mandarin language options in Block 3, either beginner or post-beginner levels, which focus on practical language skills alongside cultural and political topics. Block 4, "Comparative Politics and Democracy," dives into the health of contemporary democracies, analyzing challenges like authoritarianism, migration, and the effects of economic crises, all while exploring historical and modern theories of democracy.In Year 2, students delve deeper into political theory with modules like "Political Theory: Why Big Ideas Matter," which discusses the impact of political ideas in a global context. The "Exploring Work and Society" module focuses on employability skills, addressing critical issues like race, gender, and sustainability, while engaging students with real-world projects. Students will also have the opportunity to continue their Mandarin studies with more advanced language modules. In "Political Research in Action," students are introduced to research methods in political science, learning both qualitative and quantitative approaches and gaining practical research experience.The final year includes specialized modules such as "American Politics," which offers a thematic approach to politics across the Americas, and "Decolonising Politics," which examines the lasting impacts of colonialism and imperialism. In the final term, students complete a capstone project, the "Politics and International Relations Project," where they work independently on a substantial research project or real-world application, preparing them for their future careers or further academic study.