International Relations and Politics - 2012 entry
BA (Hons)
- single
Typical A-level offer: BBC or equivalent
Overview
Josh Dennis talks about studying International Relations and Politics at Brookes
United Nations Headquarters in New York
This course is run by the Department of Social Sciences
The study of International Relations and Politics is the study of power in national and local settings, as well as internationally and globally. It examines some of the critical issues of modern and contemporary times, such as:
the changing nature of international co-operation and conflict
the character of democratic and non-democratic regimes
the new face of warfare
the quality of citizenship in different countries
the impact of globalisation upon states and societies
the nature of governance nationally and internationally
the persistence of world problems such as poverty, migration and global environmental change
political ideologies.
This course offers you an integrated approach to the study of international relations and politics. It provides an exciting opportunity to study both the theory and practice of domestic, comparative and international politics with a firm basis in contemporary issues and debates. The course begins by examining the roots and nature of political activity set in the context of wider social activity before exploring different types of government and governance in democratic and non-democratic systems. It provides an overview of the history and theory of international relations and then deals with current issues and what they tell us about the changing nature of world politics. We help you to develop skills needed for independent learning by providing you with a solid foundation in the discipline, as well as a range of transferable skills.
Why Brookes?
At Oxford Brookes we are committed to offering you an up-to-date programme of study whilst maintaining student choice and student-centred learning. The distinctive features of this course include:
- research-led teaching programme: in the 2008 national Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 75% of work published by members of the department was judged to be of international quality
- flexible modular programme
- placement learning opportunities
- undergraduate research scholarship scheme
- study abroad exchange opportunities.
Teaching, learning and assessment
You will be learning in a stimulating and friendly atmosphere where you will be able to develop a wide range of disciplinary and professional skills. The department is home to the Centre for Democracy Studies and research groups in Critical International Studies, European Politics and Society, and Social and Political Change. Teaching staff are committed to the highest standards in both teaching and research, and have an impressive record of publication in books and academic journals. This means that the knowledge you gain will be underpinned by the latest academic thinking.
Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, group work, field trips, and individual and group presentations. Assessment is by coursework and examination. Coursework includes essays, group projects and individual seminar presentations. Some modules involve an element of examination at the end of the semester, but others are assessed solely on the basis of your work during the semester. Assessed work for the honours dissertation takes the form of a 10,000-word piece of work researched and written during your final year.
During semester time we host a series of weekly research seminars where guest speakers from other universities and from outside the academic sector give presentations on research themes of interest to International Relations and Politics students. The department also publishes an online newsletter in which both undergraduate and postgraduate students are encouraged to participate.
In detail
RELATED COURSES:
Course content
Year 1 includes the theme of democracy, which introduces you to a range of political ideologies and political systems, as well as exploring the place of the individual in politics. You will be introduced to the nature of international relations by way of a critical focus on contemporary issues in world politics. You will also study the ways in which the wider social world influences politics and international relations.
In Year 2 you will study aspects of the history of political thought and begin to examine in some detail the ways in which the real world of politics and international relations can be studied and understood. You will also be able to study some key areas of the discipline, including comparative politics, regionalisation (the EU), security studies, international political economy and the politics of specific countries, including the UK, the USA and Russia. We also provide opportunities for overseas exchanges at partner institutions and for placement learning with a variety of governmental and political organisations.
In Year 3, you will be able to choose from a range of specialist modules, all at honours level, which reflect the research expertise of staff. You will also undertake a piece of independent research under supervision in the form of an honours dissertation and have the option of doing more independent research under supervision through our Independent Study module option.
On this course we combine an examination of the different subfields which contribute to the study of international relations and politics with the sort of flexibility which, by midway through Year 2 of your studies, allows you to opt for a range of specialist modules ranging from Contemporary Security Studies to the Political Sociology of Crime and Disorder and Global Environmental Politics. We teach academic rigour and encourage you to take responsibility for key elements of your own learning. This is most fully observed in the process of choosing, developing and writing a research dissertation with the guidance of your supervisor.
As courses are reviewed regularly, the module list you choose from may vary from that shown here. You can read detailed descriptions of some of the modules here.
Years 1 and 2
Year 1
- Introduction to Politics
- Politics in Comparative Perspective
- Introduction to International Relations
- Contemporary Issues in World Politics
- Understanding Society I: Differences and Divisions
- Understanding Society II: Transformations
Year 2
Core modules:
- Political Thought I and II
- Researching Politics and International Relations I: Analytical Mode
- Researching Politics and International Relations II: Methods
Optional modules:
- Contemporary Security Studies
- The Global Political Economy
- Structures of International Governance
- Understanding Europe: History, Culture and Political Economy
- Russia and East Europe after Lenin
- American Politics and Society
- Modern British Politics
- State and Society in Europe
Year 3
Honours core modules:
- Dissertation in International Relations and Politics (double)
Honours optional modules:
- State and Society in Contemporary Russia
- Comparative Welfare States
- Political Sociology of Crime and Disorder
- Theory and Practice of Human Rights
- America and Europe: the Political Economy of Global Hegemony
- Conflict and Post-war Reconstruction
- Identity Politics and Violence
- International Development
- Counter-Terrorism in Comparative Perspective
- Freedom, Justice and Political Theory
- South African Politics: from Apartheid to Democracy
- East Asian Regionalism
- Global Environmental Politics
- Globalisation, Democracy and Civil Society
- International Human Rights Law
- Independent Study
Work placements
Oxford Brookes is working with the University of Warwick and Coventry University to develop academic placements for students of international relations, politics and sociology.
As a student of International Relations and Politics at Oxford Brookes, you will have an opportunity to undertake placement learning with, for example, an MP or local councillor, as well as with voluntary organisations. At present the number of places is limited and subject to competition, but more placements will become available as the scheme expands.
Study abroad
Information about exchanges, European work placements and other study abroad programmes, is available here.
Free language courses for students - the Open Module
Free language courses are available to all full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students who are studying any course on our Headington (including Marston Road), Harcourt Hill or Wheatley Campuses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.
Key facts
RELATED COURSES:
Department
Course length
Full-time: 3 years
Part-time: up to 6 years
Teaching location
Headington Campus, Gipsy Lane
Start date
September 2012
UCAS code
L290 BA/RX
Fees / funding
RELATED COURSES:
Tuition fees
UK/EU students
Full-time: £9,000
Part-time: £750 per module. You can take up to five modules per academic year.
International students
Full-time: £11,000
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
+44 (0)1865 483088
finance-fees@brookes.ac.uk
Funding and scholarships
For general sources of financial support, see:
Apply / Entry reqs
RELATED COURSES:
Typical offers
A-level: BBC or equivalent
IB Diploma: 31 points
Advanced Diploma: grade B, including A-level at grade B
Other typical offers include:
- BB at A-level and CC at AS-level
- vocational A-levels are also accepted at equivalent grades.
Other academic qualifications that fulfil the entry requirements include:
- a recognised foundation or access course
- European Baccalaureate.
Further EU qualifications are also accepted; for more details please contact the senior tutor for this course.
Specific entry requirements
Please also see the university's general entry requirements.
English language requirements
Please see the university's standard English language requirements.
English language requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Border Agency's minimum language requirements as well as the university's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Full-time students should apply for this course through UCAS.
Part-time students should apply directly to the university.
Conditions of acceptance
When you accept our offer you agree to the conditions of acceptance. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Credit transfer
Oxford Brookes operates the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). All undergraduate single modules are equivalent to 7.5 ECTS credits and double modules to 15 ECTS credits. More about ECTS credits.
Student experience
RELATED COURSES:
Josh Dennis
We need lecturers like we have here, who are really on the ball and make sure that all the information is there.
See full profile »Why Oxford is a great place to study International Relations and Politics
One hour from London but on the edge of quintessentially English countryside, Oxford provides the perfect backdrop for student life. For the last two years Oxford has been voted the top UK city for culture and has a worldwide reputation as a centre of academic excellence. Oxford is the perfect combination of historic and modern, and offers everything you’d expect of a big city, but beautifully packaged.
With students from 140 countries studying at Oxford Brookes, there is a huge range of lively student societies covering a multitude of interests, who organise regular events. Offering a stimulating mix of clubs and bars, cafes and restaurants, museums and galleries, Oxford is the perfect base for your student experience.
Specialist facilities
The department offices are located in the Gibbs Building on the Headington Campus where you will meet for seminars, lectures and tutorials. It is situated just a mile from Oxford’s beautiful and historic city centre.
The university library holds an impressive selection of books and journals, and you can also take advantage of the Library Electronic Information Network (LEIN), giving you access to a range of bibliographical searching tools, databases and electronic journals in international relations.
We have a dedicated Politics and International Relations librarian who is on hand to answer your enquiries, teach you information skills and guide you around the electronic resources on offer. Once you reach the stage of writing your dissertation, you will have access to the world-famous Bodleian Library.
Support for students studying International Relations and Politics
The support you receive as an International Relations and Politics undergraduate is unparalleled. Our student support co-ordinators are there for you from the day you arrive to the day you leave, helping with anything from module advice to supporting you with any personal issues you may experience. They organise induction programmes and events throughout the year, and offer a friendly face when you need one.
When you arrive at Oxford Brookes you will be assigned an academic adviser who will provide you with academic support and supervision throughout your degree, helping you monitor your progress and performance. They will also keep you up to date with events around your studies, such as visiting speakers, seminars and career fairs.
General support services
Supporting your learning
From academic advisers and support co-ordinators to specialist subject librarians and other learning support staff, we want to ensure that you get the best out of your studies.
Personal support services
We want your time at Brookes to be as enjoyable and successful as possible. That's why we provide all the facilities you need to be relaxed, happy and healthy throughout your studies.
Accommodation
At Brookes we understand that when you live away from home it's important to be somewhere that you feel comfortable and safe.
After graduation
RELATED COURSES:
Career prospects
In addition to building a resource of discipline-based skills, International Relations and Politics encourages the development of abilities that will prove valuable in future careers. Some of our graduates go on to postgraduate study, while others go directly into the workplace. Our graduates from this course enter a variety of careers, for example in the diplomatic service, management, teaching, lecturing, publishing, journalism, advertising, local government, law, trade unions, non-governmental organisations and international organisations.
