BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations

Research underpins all academic study. Most scholarly monographs and journal articles present new research that has been undertaken and understanding that research helps with understanding the reading. Equally, research is not only something you will read about but something you will undertake for yourself before the end of your course. To do so, it is important that you are aware of the different options available to you as you embark upon your own research. To that end, this module will introduce you to a variety of approaches to research in your subject area and to how you might develop ideas for your own research projects.

This module is intended to develop and refine your understanding of selected aspects of international politics. It begins by looking at key schools of thought and evolving debates in international relations theory in order to explore in depth some of the key concepts regarding which factors shape how international politics and relations are conducted. The module also considers some of the key structural factors at play in international relations. To this end the role of the international and transnational organisations is examined, and debates regarding their purpose and effectiveness are considered. The module also looks at the concepts of regionalism and globalisation, and explores how states respond to these ideas in terms of policy formation.

This module explores the history of America and the Cold War between 1947 and 1991. The module traces the course of conflict from the Truman Administration, through periods of crisis and detente, to its end during the George H.W. Bush administration in 1991. At the same time, the module explores the evolving ramifications of the Cold War upon domestic politics and society across these decades.

This module will explore the role of community engagement in the delivery of public and third sector services. It will look at how policy initiatives such as ‘co-production’ and ‘partnership working’ have impacted on both the commissioning and delivery of welfare services in the UK, and how some of these initiatives have been driven by policy failures. It will also investigate the role of social movements, such as Black Lives Matter and Reclaim the Streets, on our society.  It will critically examine how enhancing the voice of service users, parent carers and community activists in decision-making can not only enhance the services being delivered and but can bring about social change.

This module explores how disputes in international relations come to be identified, discussed and, if possible, resolved. Through a focus on specific examples, we explore the mechanisms and resources available to states in their attempts to manage cross-border or international disputes, whether on their own terms – via diplomacy – or through regional or international arbiters such as the United Nations. We will also consider the role that ‘soft power’ and ‘public diplomacy’ might play in the resolution of international disputes, as well as exploring the role played by sub-state actors and regional organisations.

The ‘traditional’ image of wars and conflicts tend to be of large confrontations where states’ forces are pitted against each other, but how accurate is this perception in the contemporary world? This module examines the reality of modern war and conflicts, highlighting its changing nature and examining why modern conflict is overwhelmingly intrastate rather than interstate. It encourages students to consider the shifting nature of war and conflict in terms of where wars occur, who are the likely victims of modern campaigns and the ways in which the causes, impacts and outcomes of modern warfare are significantly altered over recent decades.

This module traces the development of popular perceptions of war and conflict through a variety of evolving cultural mediums: namely, literature, the press, films and games. In so doing, the module will examine how conflicts influenced popular culture while they were being fought and how they subsequently appear in popular memory. For instance, how did the First World War appear in popular culture while it was being fought? How does the conflict appear in popular culture now? What accounts for the significant differences between its representation in popular culture in these two periods? The module also examines the representation of key images and motifs associated with war in popular culture. For example, why has the tank been seen as both a symbol of victory and political oppression? Why has the Spitfire become so iconic in British popular culture?

This module provides opportunities for community-based learning through voluntary community engagement. This activity will enable you to understand the relevance of your studies within a community context, combining practical experience with academic studies. In addition, it is an opportunity to develop a critical understanding of the Third Sector, and the notion of citizenship. Both subject specific and transferable skills will be developed and utilised throughout this module, thus developing graduate employment attributes.

This module explores issues arising from the attempt on the part of the international community to develop sustainable policies and practices. It examines concepts that enable analysis and interpretation of social and political issues related to global sustainable development. The module covers a range of sustainability topics, including climate change, decarbonisation, and biodiversity loss. Students will evaluate existing governance and management efforts around key sustainability issues while developing innovative policy responses of their own. Ethical issues arising from these attempts at sustainable development are also considered.

This module examines a selection of contemporary global issues and considers the policies and prescriptions that states and multinational actors develop to deal with the issues. The relative significance of state and multi-national actors in the policy process will be assessed.

The Independent Study - Written Project is a sustained piece of independent study carried out in the field of International Relations, under supervision. You will be expected to devise, plan, research and write your project, the content of which will be of your own devising.

The Independent Study - Written Project is a sustained piece of independent study carried out in the field of International Relations, under supervision. You will be expected to devise, plan, research and write your project, the content of which will be of your own devising.

This module explores the nature of modern, post-colonial India through an analysis of its politics, economics, religion, caste-system and culture. Modern India is the second most populous country in the world and the world’s largest democracy, yet it is a complex and diverse country – linguistically, religiously, and ethnically – which, since achieving independence, has sought both to unify itself internally, and, as a unified nation-state, to assert its place both regionally and globally. This module examines the achievements, problems and potential of this important country.

This module will focus on how international Non Governmental Organisations – such as World Health Organisation and United Nations – impact on policy making in the UK. It will investigate whether global problems, such as climate changes, increasing wealth inequality, modern day slavery and global pandemics and disease, give these NGO’s legitimacy in the national policy-making context – including with the general public. It will explore the range of ways International NGO’s try to influence national policy – and how and why national policymakers resist the policy directives of these organisations.

This module will critically analyse the political, social, economic and diplomatic changes to the United States of America and the place of the US in world affairs over the late-nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

This module focuses on global issues and trends in the twenty-first century. We will explore the increased interconnectedness of states, societies and peoples and the economic, political and social impact of this interdependence. Case-study material will be drawn from many different parts of the world and is likely to include finance, communication and information technology, the role of the nation state, environmental problems and resistance to globalisation.  

This module explores the rapid emergence of Asia as a major force in global affairs. With a particular emphasis on the growth of powers like China and India, it examines Asia's increasing economic, political, and cultural prominence. The module covers topics such as the economic rise of China, India's role as an emerging power, the continued influence of Japan and South Korea, and Asia's growing assertiveness on issues like trade, security, and global governance. It analyses dynamics like the US-China strategic rivalry, China's Belt and Road Initiative across Eurasia and the developing world, and the China-India relationship. The module also addresses implications for the international order as Asian countries challenge Western dominance and promote new models of development and globalization rooted in Asian traditions and institutions. Overall, it provides a comprehensive look at the major forces reshaping international relations due to Asia's rise.