BA (Hons) Contemporary History and Politics

Part-time study available
International students can apply
Overseas study available
Work placement opportunity

This course is designed to develop your knowledge of contemporary history and politics in a structured manner by first providing a foundational background in history, and in key concepts and theories of politics. Your first year modules are designed to cover these areas.

In your second year, you take two core modules and then develop your interests with four optional modules of your choice. You can also study abroad for a semester or two, or take a language module.

Your third year dissertation gives you the chance to explore a topic you are passionate about under the close supervision of a dedicated supervisor. You also get to choose from a wide variety of module option choices, or take up one of our placement opportunities.

Structure

Year One

Your first year is designed to introduce you to major developments and concepts in recent history and in politics. You will also develop a range of crucial skills (research, writing, and organisation) necessary to complete your studies to the highest possible standard.

Issues in Contemporary History

This module introduces you to key issues such as how the study and understanding of history has evolved over the decades, different ‘schools’ of history, and how and why historians can produce radically different interpretations of the same events, and the nature of historical evidence.

Britain and the World

In this module you will study the British political system, political parties and elections. You will also compare cabinet and presidential government and examine legislatures in detail. This module will also look at the international context, covering British foreign policy, decolonisation, and Britain’s role in Europe and the ‘special relationship’ with the USA.

Introduction to Political Theory

This is a critical political theory module that covers the most important theories, concepts and thinkers in politics: Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx, Freud, Schmitt and others. You will develop a critical knowledge of liberalism, power, and the state.

Issues in International Relations and Politics

In this module, you will study some of the key debates and topics in international relations and politics today. Globalisation, the problems of democracy and political participation are explored in-depth and critically.

International History I

This module examines international history from the 1890s until the post-war period. You will study the European balance of power system, Wilsonian internationalism, the rise of powers such as Japan, the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany and the outbreak of the Second World War.

International History II

You will continue your studies in international history by exploring the Cold War in Europe and Asia, decolonisation, European integration, the superpower relationship and the rise of China and Japan. You will also study the impact of US foreign policy and the global ‘war on terror’.

Year Two

In your second year, you take one core module and choose from a range of others so you can develop your interests and explore new topics. Importantly, dissertation preparation is built into your second year so you are prepared well as this is your most important piece of assessment.

Researching in International Relations and Politics (core module)

This module prepares you for your dissertation, which is submitted in your third year. It ensures you formulate a viable research question, identify the relevant material you need, develop your research question and structure your dissertation to a high standard. You will be working with your allocated supervisor to develop and hone your dissertation topic.You also take five optional modules. Commonly chosen examples are:

Contemporary Security Studies:

This module introduces you to ‘traditional’ and ‘new’ approaches to defining and conceptualising security. You will study some of the most important issues on the international security agenda such as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, resource wars and energy security, the privatisation of warfare, peacekeeping, pandemics and health security, and environmental degradation.

Intelligence, Security and Politics in Britain 1909-1994:

This module examines the British intelligence community from the birth of the Security Service (MI5) and the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS or MI6) in 1909 through to the 1994 Intelligence Services Act. You will explore its activities primarily within the context of British domestic policy, while considering the links between the worlds of intelligence and politics.

International History 1789-1914:

International Politics and the Media:

This module explores the claims and evidence about the impact of global media on international politics, particularly on the dynamics of international affairs, power relations among governments, foreign policy-making, conflict, security, diplomacy, development, and civil society.

Labour’s Century:

This module introduces you to the history of the British Labour Party, its ideology, organisation and electoral strategy, while also focusing upon some of the most crucial periods, in particular that of Labour’s early development as well as that of its apparent crisis and transformation.

Political Communication: Media and Democracy:

This module explores the relationship between the media and politics in liberal democracies. You will focus on the nature of political media and reporting, the media’s influence on politics, and how political actors use the media. You will also study the rise of the internet and new media technologies and what this means for democracy.

Poverty and Development in International Political Economy:

This module focuses on the impact of globalisation in relation to poverty and development. You will consider the role of the industrialised western states in the global economy, as well as post-colonial states, critically examining north-south relations.

Theories of Power and Domination:

Central to this module is the study of power, and you will explore the theories of Weber, Marx, Gramsci, Foucault and Althusser, with a focus on the social foundations of political power, political power and the formation of the individual, and political power and the role of organisation and bureaucracy.

Year Three

Dissertation

You will complete a 12,000 word research dissertation on the subject of your choice. This is your opportunity to develop your ideas and research a topic that you have selected. The dissertation counts as two modules.

You also study four from a range of module options. Typically, they include:

British Counterinsurgency

This module allows you to examine Britain’s varied involvement in counter-insurgency operations since 1945. After an initial engagement with the theories and principles of insurgency and counter-insurgency, the module will cover the cases of Kenya, Malaya, Northern Ireland, Britain’s continuing involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, and some lesser known cases.

British Foreign and Strategic Policy

The aim of this module is to examine the planning and operation of British foreign policy from the beginning of the 20th Century until the end of the Second World War. It examines the main areas of interest for Britain, including relations with Germany, France, Russia, Italy and the United States as well as Britain’s role as an imperial power.

Corruption in Contemporary Politics

Studying political corruption in detail, in this module you will explore at the dynamics and impact of this problem for western democracies through key theories and case studies.

E-Democracy: Politics and the New Media

This module assesses the growing influence of new media technologies (internet, email, mobile phones) on democracy. You will explore questions of censorship, voting, power relations and the effects of new media technologies in society.

Ethics and International Relations

This module explores the place of ethical and moral questions in global politics, covering democracy and human rights, humanitarian intervention, just wars, foreign aid and sanctions, and the problems of international society and realising a universal order. You will engage with critical approaches to these topics and explore normative questions.

European Union Simulation

Aimed at giving you a taste of EU decision making and negotiation, in this module you are assigned to national, EU institutional and other teams and play your role in a simulated decision making scenario that concludes with a final one-day European Council ‘summit’.

The Rise and Fall of Socialist Internationals

This module examines the rise and fall of the main socialist traditions from their origins in 19th Century Britain and France to their global spread in the 20th Century. You will study key aspects of the course of socialism in Germany, Britain, Sweden, Russia, and China.

International Political Economy

Develop your knowledge of political economy; this module aims to help develop critical ways of thinking about the contemporary world of work and the political economies of production in our post-industrial world.

The First World War

This module explores the First World War as a Total War. It alternates between a chronological examination of military operations and thematic coverage of issues such as economics, mobilisation, diplomacy, and revolutions

The Politics of Islamism

In this module, you will assess Islamism comparing it to fundamentalisms in other religions. It includes an examination of Muslim responses to Western modernity as well as the development of modern Islamism from the Muslim Brotherhood to al Qaeda, as well as wider questions of the adaptability of Islamism to democratic practices.

The Politics of European Union Enlargement

You will learn about the history of EU enlargements, tracing the expansion of the EU to include more member states. You will also study the key ideas behind enlargement and the concepts that guide it.

There is also the opportunity to take advantage of our Westminster Parliamentary Placement for one semester:

Westminster Parliamentary Placement

An exciting and unique opportunity to work with a Westminster MP in London. You will put your research and communication skills to work in a challenging setting that places you at the centre of British politics.

BA (Hons) Contemporary History and Politics

Structure

Year One

Year Two

Year Three

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