ObjectivesThis Dual Honours degree in Politics and Philosophy provides a philosophical and political analysis of key concepts such as human rights, power, and democracy. This provides greater depth to the study of political theory, and enables the analysis of the values underlying political policies and behaviour. The Departments of Politics and Philosophy are highly regarded for both research and teaching. We aim to give students an in-depth understanding of politics and political issues, alongside stimulating and intriguing philosophy modules. Our students gain a range of personal transferable skills, including communication and presentation skills, working in groups, writing reports and essays, gathering information and planning projects. At level one, Dual Honours Politics and Philosophy students take modules including Introduction to Political Analysis, Human Nature, Reason and Desire: An Introduction to Western Political Thought, Critical Thinking, and History of Philosophy. At levels two and three students deepen subject knowledge by taking further core and optional modules and a project module.
Entry requirementsEntry requirements GCE/VCE A Levels - AAB Two GCE A Levels plus two GCE AS Levels - AA+AB Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers - AAAB-AABB/AAB-BBB Irish Leaving Cert. - AAABB-ABBBB BTEC Level N - 2 Distinctions and 1 Merit International Baccalaureate - 35-32 points Core Requirements - At least two GCE A Levels. If Politics is taken, a grade B is required.
Academic titleBA Politics and Philosophy
Course descriptionOur students usually select from a range of compulsory and optional modules to add up to 120 credits.
Some departments offer courses that don't feature optional modules whereas other courses are fully flexible.
Important notice :
This is a list of modules that have been offered in the past. We expect similar modules to be offered for courses starting in 2009.
This information is provided for illustration only and you should check with the department directly when applying to confirm module options.
Typical First Year Modules
Module/Unit Credits
Introduction to Political Analysis 20
British Politics 10
Comparing Modern Polities 10
Human Nature, Reason and Desire: An Introduction to Western Political Thought 10
The Globalisation of World Politics 10
Critical Thinking 20
Human Rights 20
Matters of Life and Death 20
Mind, Brain and Personal Identity 20
Philosophy of Art and Literature 20
Areas of Philosophy 10
History of Philosophy 10
Key Arguments 10
Knowledge, Justification and Doubt 10
Philosophy of Religion 10
Philosophy of Science 10
Philosophy of Space and Time 10
Typical Second Year Modules
Module/Unit Credits
Contemporary Political Theory 20
Political Analysis: Approaches and Methods 20
Comparing Political Change: From Dictatorship to Democracy 20
Contemporary International Affairs 20
Descartes and The Empiricists 20
Ethics: Theoretical and Practical 20
Ethics: Theoretical and Practical 20
Feminism 20
Formal Logic 20
Foundations of Modern Political Thought 20
International Relations Theory 20
Philosophy of Art and Literature 20
Philosophy of Mind 20
Political Philosophy 20
Political Philosophy 20
Reference and Truth 20
The Analysis of British Politics 20
The Global Political Economy 20
The Making of New Labour 20
The Politics and Government of the European Union 20
The Social Contract 20
Theory of Knowledge 20
Typical Third Year ModulesModule/Unit Credits
Political Explanation 20
These are the compulsory modules for this year of the course. There will also be a large number of optional modules available to choose from. You can find out more by contacting the department