COURSE CURRICULUM

The BA in Politics and International Relations at Kent provides a comprehensive understanding of political systems, international relations, and contemporary global issues. In the first year, students explore foundational topics such as the power of political ideas, the roots of contemporary politics, the functioning of states and the world, and the dynamics of war, violence, and peace, building a strong conceptual framework for their studies. The second year focuses on applying analytical skills, including political communication and quantitative methods, while examining key global issues such as climate change, the European Union, democracy under threat, American politics, global economic politics, foreign policy, and the philosophical foundations of modern political thought. In the final year, students undertake a substantial independent project that develops research, critical analysis, and problem-solving skills, with optional modules covering negotiation, contemporary political theory, transforming British politics, public opinion, dictatorships, identity politics, Middle East and North Africa politics, and security challenges in the Indo-Pacific. Across all years, the course encourages students to critically evaluate political systems, understand the interplay between local and global forces, and develop the skills to design and communicate effective solutions. Graduates leave equipped for careers in politics, public policy, international organisations, diplomacy, and other fields that require analytical thinking, evidence-based decision-making, and a nuanced understanding of global affairs.