Politics

Course summary

Politics involves developing a knowledge and understanding of UK political institutions and processes and the evolution of our constitution and current political landscape. Skills of analysis and evaluation are at a premium as is presenting coherent extended written arguments in essays. In the second year, issues and structures of Global Politics are explored in depth. Students will study: Year 1: Democracy and participation, Political Parties, Electoral Systems, Voting behaviour and the Media. The Constitution, Parliament, Prime Minister and Executive, Relationships between the branches. Year 2: Core Political Ideas: Conservatism, Liberalism, Socialism, Nationalism Sovereignty and Globalisation. Global Governance: political and economic, human rights and environmental. Power and Developments. Regionalism and the European Union. Comparative theories of international relations. CAREERS Offered as both stand alone and joint honours undergraduate and post graduate degrees at most universities, politics is a thriving and popular choice. The knowledge and broad range of academic skills developed are applicable to many career routes. Critical analysis, researching, extended essay writing to interpret, analyse and evaluate knowledge of political ideas, institutions and processes, contextual reading, use of internet resources, collaborative projects, all provide important transferable skills. Examples of jobs directly related to a politics degree: civil service fast streamer; government social researcher; policy officer; political risk analyst; politician’s assistant; public affairs consultant; local government officer; PR executive. Examples of jobs where politics would be useful: business development manager; charity officer; detective; diplomatic service officer; forensic accountant; HR officer; journalist.