About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: L290
- Applications: UCAS
- Level: Undergraduate
- Tariff points: 320
- Department: Arts
- Campus: Frenchay
- Duration: Three years full-time
- Delivery: Part-time, full-time
- Study Abroad: Yes
- Programme leader: Peter.Clegg@uwe.ac.uk
- Key fact: International Relations and Politics at UWE provides students with a wide-ranging and contemporary insight into the world, whilst promoting and testing a range of skills necessary for later employment.
Introduction
This course allows you to combine on an equal basis two subjects, giving you a sound perspective on both subjects, with a good choice of option modules.
International Relations
Terrorism, war, the power of the European Union over member states and international attempts to prevent hunger and abuse of human rights are amongst the concerns of International Relations. It is concerned with the international system, its development, the actors within it and the power relations between them. You will examine the practices of states and other groups, including international organisations and multinational companies.
Politics
In Politics at UWE, you study how power is gained, used and controlled in society. This ranges from the traditional study of politics as government to, for example, analysis of the way different popular movements, cultures and great thinkers look at the conflicts of interest between groups.
Teaching is based around the research expertise of staff which encompasses the UK, Ireland, the USA, France, Germany, the European Union, Africa, and Latin America. It also includes ethnic conflict, nationalism, development, human rights, political psychology, ethics, justice, ideology, and political philosophy.
Find out more about our academic staff, their teaching expertise and research interests.
In addition to a wide range of courses at UWE, students can broaden their experience by studying abroad on our exchange programmes with universities in Europe and the USA.
Find out more about what International Relations and Politics at UWE has to offer in terms of teaching quality, staff expertise and your student experience.
Structure
Content
During your course you will study 120 credits each year, 60 credits in International Relations and 60 credits in Politics.
Level one
In International Relations you take two compulsory modules. The first, Politics Beyond the Nation State, is an introduction to the international dimension of politics. Included in the syllabus are international institutions such as the United Nations and the European Union, international actors such as states and non-state organisations, global issues, such as war and conflict, the environment, resource distributions and global justice. The second module, Foreign Policy, examines the domestic and international influences on the making of states' foreign policies. Attention is given to particular states which include the USA and Iran.
At level one Politics you take two introductory modules focusing on politics within individual states, Democracies and Dictatorships, and the politics of ideas, Ideas and Power. Both equip you to pursue a range of modules at levels two and three.
Level two
In International Relations you take the compulsory module Theories of International Relations, which surveys the perspectives used by scholars to interpret international affairs, including liberalism, feminism and realism. Your other module is chosen from a range of options including human rights and the international order, international development, global political economy and European integration.
At level two Politics you take two compulsory modules. Comparative Politics continues the study of politics in practice, covering a variety of themes cross-nationally such as democratisation, voting and elections. In Political Theory you will look at the works of particular thinkers as well as examining ideologies where ideas are expressed in political practice through parties and movements.
Level three
It is in your final year that you have the greatest opportunity of specialising in your particular areas of interest. You take four modules, two in International Relations and two in Politics.
The International Relations module options cover, amongst others, global governance, international security, the politics of climate change, the EU's international relations and ethical issues in politics.
Level three Politics options include policymaking in Britain, migrants and refugees, American elections, the extreme right in Europe, the politics of Latin America and the politics of climate change.
You may also complete a dissertation on a subject of your choice. However, you may only complete a dissertation in one of your two chosen subjects.
Another optional module at level three is 'Politics in the Workplace: linking theory and practice' which gives you the opportunity to undertake a work placement and gain valuable practical experience.
International Relations Module Descriptions
Politics Module Descriptions
Hear what our students think about their time at UWE.
Teaching and learning
All modules are taught by a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials. Lectures consist of a broad survey of a subject delivered by a lecturer. Seminars are discussion groups consisting of a tutor and approximately 18 students. They are interactive. The tutor facilitates a discussion in which students engage in debates and questioning. Preparatory reading is essential for seminars to be effective. International Relations and Politics students can expect an average of 12 hours contact time per week across the year.
Tutors also have office hours when you can discuss your work or your progress more generally, with them. Unless they are very busy, tutors will also see students beyond their office hours and strive to respond promptly to e-mails. The ethos of Politics staff members is informal, supportive and welcoming.
Independent study is an essential part of your course and primarily consists of reading and learning around the subject from published sources such as books, articles, official documents and websites.
Assessment
Most modules are assessed by a mix of coursework and end-of-year exams. Assessment includes essays, seminar presentations, timed assignments, case studies, literature reviews, oral presentations, simulation games, dissertation and formal unseen examinations.
Special Features
Placements
Final year students can apply to take a placement module where they spend approximately 20 days working with an organisation concerned with politics and international relations.
Study Abroad
We have partnerships with several European universities via the Erasmus scheme which offers you the opportunity to study abroad for all or part of your second year. We also offer you the chance to study abroad in your second year at the Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, USA.
Student-staff research events
We organise a series of student-staff Wednesday afternoon research events with a strong focus on contemporary issues. Recent topics have included: criminalising hate speech in a democratic society; the EU's role in the former Yugoslavia; and migrant rights violations in Bristol.
Volunteering
Many students opt to volunteer, either through the UWE volunteering service or through their own contacts.
Volunteering offers a valuable opportunity to gain real-world experience and develop useful skills whilst helping organisations and charities to deliver vital services. Many students are taking on volunteering roles which often leads to further involvement post-degree or even paid employment.
Study facilities
Politics and International Relations is taught on the Frenchay Campus, the main University campus, where most students are based and which is home to the Student Village housing around 2,000 students. UWE boasts the largest academic library in the south west; our modern and forward-thinking library service is here to enhance the learning experience of all students at UWE. The libraries provide access to the books and journals, online and in print, essential for course materials and research. All our libraries are open into the evening for convenience with the Frenchay library open 24 hours a day.
Careers/further study
Students develop a range of skills in analysis, written and oral communication, information retrieval, use of information technology and group work which prepares them for many occupations. Likely career routes include management, journalism, public administration, recruitment, the armed services and teaching.
Graduate destinations
Find out what our graduates are doing six months after graduating- includes examples of careers, employers and further study. Download a PDF from graduate destinations.
Creating employable students
UWE places strong emphasis on employability and skills development at every level. Through work placements, volunteering, study abroad and UWE initiatives which nurture talent and encourage innovation, students gain valuable real world experience and graduate with diverse career opportunities and a competitive place in the job market.
See great graduate prospects for further information.
Be inspired
Read about Tom's internship at the Labour Group office.
Read about Diana's work in some of the world's leading international organisations.
Useful links
UWE - careers in government and public administration
Guardian - what to do with a degree in politics
The UWE careers service provides guidance and support throughout your studies in addition to useful resources, CV checks, career coaching and details of current job vacancies.
Entry
Typical offers
- Tariff points: 320
- GCSE: Maths or Statistics and English Language at grade C or above required.
- Specific subjects: None specified
- Access: Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma; achievement of level 2 credits
in English Language and mathematics
Advice on typical offers
In addition to the 'typical offer' given here, please read the general information about
entry requirements.
How to apply
Please see the general information about
applications.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011