International Relations and Politics (with Foundation Year)

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Political Socialisation and Ideology

  Why do we vote the way we do? What affects our actions, and our political decisions? In this module, You’ll investigate politics through human behaviour. You’ll explore political culture, and how we participate in a democratic society. You’ll also look at how humans are socialised to hold various political views. You’ll gain a key insight into how ideas and ideologies affect our behaviour individually and as a group.

• Politics in Comparative Perspective

  In this module, you’ll investigate politics - and the struggle for power - across the nations. You’ll gain a clear introduction to how and why political systems differ in our world today. You’ll examine case studies from a wide range of states, and gain a strong insight into how different regimes function – from the democratic to the totalitarian.

• From Empires to States: the Origins of International Relations

  In this module, you’ll dive into International Relations, and its key theories. You’ll explore how International Relations emerges from specific cultural and historic concerns. You’ll gain core analytical skills, as you interpret historical events and use them to explore pressing debates on International Relations.

  You’ll learn how International Relations has been shaped as a Western discipline, and how to challenge this by learning about aspects of international relations that have been erased or forgotten. You’ll learn to see International Relations as a rich array of competing stories about our world and what’s possible within it.

• Global Challenges in International Relations

  In this module, you’ll explore the leading issues of current world politics.

  You’ll investigate the key figures, structures and processes in world politics - like states, political economies and multinational societies.

  You’ll also analyse concepts such as:

  • anarchy
  • order
  • sovereignty
  • conflict and cooperation among states, and non-state figures.

  You’ll also investigate the chronic issues of world politics, including:

  • gender
  • migration
  • human rights
  • humanitarian intervention
  • energy resources and the environment
  • development, inequality and poverty.

  You’ll explore how different nations manage these issues and what this tells us about international governance.

• Social Differences and Divisions

  Race, class, gender and sexuality - how do these things affect us and our social relations today? In this module, you’ll explore the factors which divide human societies, and how sociologists make sense of the world.

  You’ll explore the connections between individuals, groups and social institutions. You’ll dive into pressing debates. And you’ll engage with core areas of social analysis, such as: 

  • gender relations
  • class divisions
  • race/ethnicity
  • sexuality

  You'll explore the urgent issues facing society, including diversity and inequality. You’ll understand social context and processes. And you’ll develop a strong awareness of our world today.

• Critical Skills in Politics and International Relations

  In this module, you’ll explore the art and science of Politics and International Relations. You’ll develop the critical research and study skills you need to succeed in your degree, as you explore how these two disciplines work. You’ll get to grips the scope of International Relations and Politics, and consider:

  • the issues they explore
  • the questions they seek to answer
  • their academic, educational and social value 

Optional modules

• Superpowers: An International History of the Cold War

  Who won the Cold War? In this module, you’ll explore the rivalry between two global superpowers - the United States and Soviet Union. You’ll understand how the Cold War never featured any actual fighting between the two, yet resulted in the defeat of one. You’ll get to grips with International History, and learn about the realms of:

  • diplomacy
  • arms control
  • proxy wars
  • the creation and maintenance of alliances
  • leadership and the role of personality.

  And you’ll explore how people lived through the looming threat of nuclear destruction in the second half of the 20th Century.

• Philosophy of Ethics

  Should we give money to beggars on the street? Do we need to do more for refugees? 

  In this module, you’ll gain a strong knowledge of ethics. You’ll dive into three main areas - normative ethics, meta-ethics and applied ethics.

  In normative ethics, you’ll examine virtue ethics, deontology and consequentialism through reading the works of Aristotle, Kant and J.S. Mill. 

  In meta-ethics, you’ll examine how our morals change over time, and differ between cultures. You’ll question whether God is relevant to ethics, and what evolutionary theory can tell us about our morals. 

  And in applied ethics, you’ll consider questions such as: is it right to try to cure disability? Is disability worse than non-disability? You’ll consider income inequality and government policies to change it. And you’ll consider the ethics of having children - is it right or wrong to bring people into existence?

• Theory of Knowledge

  What does it mean to know something? Is knowledge different from mere belief? And is knowledge actually possible?

  In this module, you’ll get to know the great thinkers of the past, and explore what they say about knowledge. You’ll explore the minds of great thinkers like Plato, Descartes and Hume.

  You’ll consider debates about knowledge today. You’ll gain fantastic analytical skills as you look at:

  • the meaning of perception 
  • if we can know something through hearsay 
  • if we can know the world beyond our minds 
  • if there can be a scientific account of knowledge.

• Foundations of Social Theory

  What is social theory? Who are the major social theorists, and what do they have to say about things like power, beliefs and values, capitalism, feminism and more? In this module, you’ll explore key concepts and theories in classical and contemporary sociology. You’ll also immerse yourself in current debates, developments and approaches to social theory,  and you’ll encounter theories like Marxism, postcolonialism, functionalism and more.

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Political Thought

  In this module, you’ll dive into political thought and international theory - from Machiavelli to Mill. You’ll gain fantastic critical skills as you analyse key texts on modern political theory, and understand states and international contexts. You’ll explore classic texts, including Hobbes’ Leviathan and Rousseau's The Social Contract. You’ll also analyse key ideas in modern political thought, including:

  • natural rights
  • sovereignty 
  • representation 

• UK Politics

  In this module you will explore the history and detail of British politics, covering the major events and themes of contemporary British politics. 

  Examine the complex institutions that make up the British political system and how these have changed over time, including the evolution of political parties and how policy is made by the executive and implemented by the civil service. 

  You’ll look at political and economic factors side-by-side in how the British state is constituted and how decisions are made. You’ll also cover topics like;

  • the changing nature of the British political system
  • conceptual approaches to British politics
  • the post-war consensus and its end electoral politics
  • declinism
  • Britain’s foreign relations and its relationship with Europe

  Equip yourself with the knowledge and critical analytical skills to understand contemporary British politics.

• Great Debates in International Relations: Inclusion and Exclusion

  Why should we study International Relations? In this module, you’ll get the grip of what International Relations is (IR). You’ll examine the ‘great debates’ in IR - like who is IR for? What is it meant to do? And how do we know when it is successful? Is IR theory a way of looking at diverse societies across the world? Or has it changed? And how have events like 9/11, decolonisation and the dawn of the Nuclear Age challenged our understanding of IR?

  You’ll examine why IR theory is a key to understanding international relations. You’ll ask whether International Relations is just about explaining facts. And you’ll explore whether our subjective moods and feelings influence IR. You’ll gain valuable critical skills, as you consider the relationship between theory and practice.

• Researching Politics and International Relations

  In this module, you’ll develop the practical research skills you need to design and carry out your first piece of social sciences research. You’ll start with the ‘big questions’ of ‘What exists?’ and ‘How can we know about what exists?’ From here, you’ll move on to consider the different research methods and their implications. You’ll take part in hands-on workshops and practical sessions, preparing you to conduct your research for your final-year dissertation.

• Applying Political Thought

  In this module, you’ll dive into the history of modern political thought - from Kant to de Beauvoir. You’ll explore the thinking of:

  • Kant
  • Hegel 
  • Marx
  • Nietzsche
  • De Beauvoir
  • Fanon

  You’ll get the grip of key theories of politics - international and national, and you’ll explore issues such as:

  • the end of history
  • gender
  • race

Optional modules

• The Global Political Economy

  In this module, you’ll get to know the global economy. You’ll investigate how economics and politics shape world affairs in both trivial and profound ways. 

  In part 1, you’ll gain a strong knowledge of the history of the world economy. You’ll develop key analytical skills, as you explore competing explanations of how it functions. You’ll gain the tools you need to understand recent economic changes.

  In part 2, you’ll dig into key debates on how the global economy functions today, including: 

  • finance
  • global production
  • trade and international development
  • the relationship between the global economy and the environment. 

• Contemporary Security Studies

  What is security? How can we achieve it? And who should provide it? In this module, you’ll dive into key debates on security, and its definitions. You’ll join policy makers, academics and civil servants as you discuss fundamental issues of security. You’ll explore the different ways we look at security, and the things it protects, for example:

  • The nation-state
  • The environment
  • The economy
  • A ‘way of life’

  You’ll also look at the implications of security on peace and current global conflicts, as well as everyday violence and exclusion. 

• State and Society: Europe and the United States

  In this module, you can investigate the politics of either Europe or the USA, subject to student numbers and staff availability. 

  In the European strand, you’ll explore themes of democracy and citizenship. You’ll look closely at what democracy and citizenship might mean to people living in the UK, France, Germany and in Europe’s post-communist countries. You’ll also look at the future of European states and societies, and how they can adapt to challenges such as migration.

  In the American strand, you’ll focus on governmental and political institutions. You’ll also explore explosive issues in American politics, including religion, race and capital punishment.

• Uncivil Society: Constituting Global Order

  How do we govern the world, when it’s no longer dominated by states and national governments? How do different types of migration shape the movement of people across the world? In this module, you’ll get understanding of key part of international relations - borders and solidarities (groups with a common identity or interest). You’ll explore the various forms of borders and solidarities, including:

  • migrations across national boundaries
  • regional organisations
  • trade agreements

  And link them to key forces and events, such as: 

  • NGOs
  • corporations
  • colonisation
  • refugee movements
  • the migrant ‘crisis’.

  You’ll gain valuable practical and professional knowledge, as you explore leading issues today, and how global governance or migration shapes our lives. 

• Nations and Nationalism

  In this module, you’ll explore the effect of nationalism. You’ll understand the different concepts, debates and controversies in the study of nationalism. You’ll gain fantastic analytical skills, as you apply these approaches to real world cases, and explore the implications of their different perspectives. 

  You’ll also look at how globalisation impacts the politics and identity of a country. You’ll analyse whether globalisation is a force for good, or if it is divisive, leading to nationalist resistance.

• Work-based Learning in Politics and International Relations

  In this module, you’ll have the chance to carry out a work placement closely linked to your International Relations course. You’ll be supported by your module leader to find a placement that meets your needs, and which will support your learning. With a carefully chosen placement, you’ll build on the skills and knowledge you’ve already gained in Year 1, and you’ll also strengthen vital skills for the workplace, like time management, communication and team-working. 

  Students have found placements in organisations like:

  • Asylum Welcome, working with asylum seekers in Oxford
  • Viva, an international children’s charity
  • Depaul, working with homeless people and immigrants in Paris.

  During and after your placement, you’ll:

  • create a placement portfolio, recording what you’ve done and achieved
  • craft a CV showing your experience
  • give a presentation on your placement.

Optional Placement Year

Optional modules

• Year Abroad

  This module offers the opportunity to study abroad, experience a new culture, and apply your skills in different contexts to enhance your employability. It will help you develop self-management, cross-cultural communication, and interpersonal skills.

  You’ll receive support to secure a place at a partner institution abroad, where you can choose modules related to your degree or explore new areas that complement your studies.

  Studying at an international university will help you enhance your interpersonal skills through cross-cultural communication with students and tutors, allowing you to build lasting relationships. You'll also improve your study skills by focusing on your chosen areas of interest, gaining valuable international experience that will strengthen your CV.

  This year abroad module lasts for one academic year and is taken after the conclusion of your second year of study, once you’ve completed all your level 5 studies. Your year abroad is not credit-bearing.

Final Year

Compulsory modules

• Dissertation in International Relations and Politics

  This module gives you the chance to do independent research on a topic that fascinates you. You’ll have the support of an expert lecturer in International Relations and Politics. You’ll gain fantastic project management and research skills for your future career, as you design and conduct your own research over two semesters. Whatever your topic, you’ll shape your project around your passions, and gain the core skills to succeed in your degree. 

  Previous students’ dissertations have tackled topics such as:

  • The Brexit vote and national identity
  • What motivates young people to engage politically online?
  • The role of social media in US elections
  • An investigation into gender imbalance in engineering.

Optional modules

• South African Politics: From Apartheid to Democracy

  You'll start by analysing the legacy of South Africa’s history. Then you'll look at some of the key issues in the political economy of post-apartheid South Africa. And with the knowledge you've built. You'll assess the links between the legacies of apartheid and the nature of some of the problems encountered in South Africa today.

• Law, Empires and Revolutions

  In this module, you’ll get to grips with capitalism today. You’ll explore what colonialism and the modern world can teach us about its laws and events. You’ll gain a fascinating, alternative history of international relations, as you explore the modern sovereign states system. You’ll also gain the key skills you need to study the relationship between history, international relations and law. 

  Each week, you’ll take a crucial world event and analyse it. You’ll look at:

  • Arab spring
  • struggles for human rights
  • extraterritorial obligations
  • cross-border protests
  • migrants and refugees

  You’ll contrast these events with the following historical events which also involved high tension and legal debate:

  • colonial trading companies
  • slave revolutions
  • capitulations
  • the Treaties of Westphalia
  • the Ottoman empire. 

• Conflict and Peacebuilding

  In this module you’ll explore practices of conflict management and peacebuilding in societies which experience violent conflict. You’ll cover three key areas;

  • conceptualise peace and the causes and dynamics of contemporary conflict
  • investigate models of peacemaking
  • understand how building a sustainable peace can be achieved by societies emerging from war

  You’ll compare a variety of case studies to draw conclusions about these challenges and processes, alongside analysing current cases of violent conflict, critically evaluating peacebuilding processes and asking questions about the quality of peace that often emerges.

• Global Development, Justice and Sustainability

  How can we respond to and solve global injustice and the ecological crisis without a world government? How can we resolve issues in international politics which are beyond the limit of individual countries? A global unified approach is critical for success.

  In this module, you’ll gain knowledge of the theory and practice of global development, justice and sustainability, and build your analytical skills. You'll take a combined approach of looking at global development and the ecological crisis. You'll examine competing and contrasting perspectives that feature across these global issues. Helping you gain understanding in their global justice implications. Also you'll look at international policy responses and global governance initiatives.

• State and Society in Contemporary Russia

  In this module, you’ll develop key critical skills as you explore the democratic challenges facing Russia. Contemporary Russia has undergone enormous social, political and economic transformation since the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s.You’ll gain a strong grounding in the key issues of this diverse, multi-ethnic state. You’ll look at core themes, such as:

  • regime dynamics and trajectory
  • the role of informal relations
  • corruption and governance problems
  • war and militarism
  • and identity politics. 

• Violence, Militarism and Terrorism

  How does violence occur in different societies? How do people’s ideas of violence affect their cultures? In this module, you’ll look at how states manage violence such as terrorism. You’ll also consider how social norms and military values of violence shape our lives. You can choose to specialise in terrorism or counter-terrorism, or critical militarism studies.

• Freedom, Justice and Identity

  In this module, you’ll explore theories of freedom and justice in relation to specific political problems and puzzles. You’ll ask questions like: 

  • Is it possible to have universal principles of justice within complex multicultural societies? 
  • Do conventional identities limit our freedom? 
  • Do freedom and justice require ‘empowerment’? 

  You’ll also look at relevant concepts such as rights and equality. You’ll gain valuable critical skills as you explore the different methods we use to explore these concepts, and how they play out in the practical world of politics.

  You’ll cover two key elements; 

  • key theoretical readings on freedom, justice and identity
  • issues of contemporary importance in which these topics are being negotiated in everyday life and politics.

  The specific issues and theories will vary depending on the current political context of the time.

• Ethics, Power and World Politics

  What should world leaders do? How much power should countries give each other? And how should states and individuals behave towards each other? In this module, you’ll get to understand the key questions in world politics. You’ll explore:

  • how we determine rights and duties
  • how we both enable and restrict dominance
  • how issues of race, gender and class interact in relation to world politics.

  You’ll choose one of three topics on international ethics and power - human rights, migration and immigration, or racism and colonialism.

• Violence, Resistance and Identity Politics

  In this module you’ll examine the production and naturalisation of socio-political identities and the inter-related politics of resistance to these identities and using these identities.

  You will investigate the links between localised, everyday practices of identity and national/global forms of domination, exclusion and hierarchy - focusing on Western, liberal democratic states.

  Explore the ways in which practices of domination, exclusion and hierarchy are both perpetuated and legitimised, and challenged by individuals and communities. You’ll also cover issues of race, gender, class and imperialism.

• Independent Study

  This module gives you the chance to research a topic that fascinates you. With support from a supervisor, you’ll choose, plan and carry out your independent research, gaining in-depth knowledge of your subject. Student projects have included subjects like:

  • Is democracy failing in Eastern Europe?
  • Did Putin solve Russia’s governance problems?
  • Authoritarianism and political stability in North Korea

  You’ll build great project management and research skills, which will help you in your future career.