International Relations and Politics

Great Debates in International Relations: Inclusion and Exclusion

Political Thought 1

A historical and critical examination of political thought and international theory, beginning with Machiavelli and concluding with Bentham. Students will reflect on how historic theories of international and national politics are to be understood and assessed conceptually.

Political Thought 2

This develops from Political Thought 1, beginning with Kant and concluding with de Beauvoir. Specific theorists such as Kant, Hegel, Marx, Mill, Nietzsche and de Beauvoir will be examined and general themes such as gender, sovereignty and the end of history in relation to the politics of states and the international arena will be investigated.

Researching Politics and International Relations I: Analytical Modes

The aim of this module is to locate political science and international relations with reference to debates about the nature of social science, so that students may begin to make informed choices about their own modes of inquiry. Students will be introduced to debates about the nature of ‘the political’ (ontology), what we can know about it (epistemology) and how different modes of inquiry are derived from these debates

Borders and Solidarities in World Politics

Dilemmas of Governing

Nationalism and Regime Change

State and Society in Europe

Offers an exploration into the social and political foundations of European states and societies. It looks at the processes of nation and state-building and the relationship between state, markets and society, consolidation of European models of capitalism and the construction of European concepts of citizenship.

Contemporary Security Studies

The topic of ‘security’ – what it is, how to achieve it, who should provide it, and even who and/or what should ‘be secured’ – is hotly contested by policy makers, the academic community, and members of civil society. This module examines some of the different ways that security and its objects of protection (whether these are the nation-state, the environment, the economy, a ‘way of life’, and/or the individual) have been conceptualised and the implications for peace and global conflict as well as for everyday forms of violence and exclusion.

The Global Political Economy

Examines the global economic order and the interaction of economics and politics in shaping world affairs. The module is divided into two parts. Part one offers a historical overview, and a range of theoretical tools through which to understand recent changes in the world economy. Part two looks at a number of substantive debates by discussing how politics and economics are entwined in the areas of production, finance, and trade.

Work placements

Our work placement module offers students the opportunity to build on the skills and knowledge gained in level 4 modules by undertaking a placement with organisations that are engaged in areas relevant to the study of Politics and/or International Relations. Students will be able to evaluate and reflect critically upon this experience in a module that links theory and practice of Politics and International Relations in a professional context.

Dissertation in International Relations and Politics

This module provides the opportunity for independent research under supervision. Students choose a dissertation topic under advice from staff in the International Relations field.

Democratic Challenges in Russia and the EU

Ethics, Power and World Politics

Managing Global Issues: Environment and Development

Law, Empires and Revolutions

Freedom and Justice in Contemporary Political Theory

An examination of key political concepts, freedom, justice, and the community, taking account of affiliated concepts including rights and equality. In considering these concepts, differing theoretical treatments of them will be related to the roles they play in the practical world of politics.

South African Politics

This module will provide students with a detailed examination of the political economy of South Africa. It begins with an analysis of the legacy of South Africa’s history before surveying some of the key issues in the political economy of post-apartheid South Africa. It assesses the links between the historical legacies of apartheid and the unique nature of some of the problems encountered in South Africa today.

Violence and the Politics of Peace and Identity

Violence, Militarism and Terrorism