Course description
Course Description
The MA in Politics has been designed to meet a grwoing demand from MA students and enables them a maximum degree of choice amongst politics options. It caters for those who do not yet know which area they wish to specialise in or for those who find that other MA courses do not reflect their specific interests.
Modules and Options
The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.
Stage 1
BRITISH POLITICAL PARTIES
COMPARATIVE POLITICS OF CENTRAL EUROPE
COMPARATIVE POLITICS OF HUMAN RIGHTS
CONTEMPORARY THEORIES OF JUSTICE
Core: CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL THEORY
Core: DISSERTATION - MA SCHEMES
Core: POLITICAL EXPLANATION
DEMOCRACY BEYOND THE NATION STATE? THE CASE OF EUROPE
DEMOCRACY, CITIZENSHIP AND CONSTITUTIONS
EUROPEAN INTEGRATION
EUROPEAN POLITICS
GLOBAL AND COMPARATIVE POLITICS
GLOBALISATION AND WORLD POLITICS: APPROACHES, ORIGINS, TRENDS
HUMAN RIGHTS AND POLITICAL THEORY
HUMAN RIGHTS IN POST-COMMUNIST DEMOCRACIES
IDEOLOGY AND POLITICAL DISCOURSE
INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY STUDIES
POLITICAL BEHAVIOUR
POLITICAL PRINCIPLES, HUMAN RIGHTS AND PUBLIC POLICY
POLITICAL THEORY
POLITICS IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD
RATIONAL CHOICE THEORIES OF POLITICS
RESEARCH SEMINAR IN POLITICAL THEORY AND METHODS
RULE AND RESISTANCE: POLITICAL THEMES IN LITERATURE AND FILM
THE ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC OPINION
THEORIES OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Teaching and Assessment Methods
A: Knowledge and Understanding
Learning Outcomes
A1 : Advanced knowledge of different modes of explanation and theoretical perspectives in political science at an appropriate level.
A2 : Understanding of the main quantitative methods used in political analysis.
A3 : Critical awareness of the use of evidence in political science.
A4 : Knowledge of the main research findings, and main developments and debates in one or more sub-disciplinary or area-oriented fields.
A5 : Systematic knowledge of the relevant sources of information.
Teaching Methods
A1-5 Lectures, participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, writing essays and dissertation, oral and written feedback on essays.
A1 specifically in GV958 Contemporary Political Theory
A2 specifically in GV900 Political Explanation
A3 specifically in GV900, GV958 and in supervision of individual dissertations
A4 specifically in options chosen in consultation with Scheme Director
A5 specifically in independent learning
Assessment Methods
Taught modules assessed 50/50 by continuous assessment through written assignments and essays, and three-hour closed examinations at end of the modules.
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
Learning Outcomes
B1 : To question received thinking.
B2 : To develop independent thinking.
B3 : To muster evidence.
B4 : To evaluate and analyse evidence.
B5 : To reason critically.
B6 : To argue coherently and concisely.
B7 : To communicate ideas effectively in writing.
B8 : To carry out independent research.
Teaching Methods
B1-7. Participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, individual guidance on researching and writing essays, oral and written feedback on essays, individual interviews and group sessions with Study Skills Officer
B4 especially in GV900 Political Explanation.
Assessment Methods
B1-7. Written assignments and essays, written examinations
B8. The dissertation.
C: Practical Skills
Learning Outcomes
C1 : Organize and structure an extended argument.
C2 : Use concepts correctly.
C3 : Compile systematic bibliographies.
C4 : Provide references according to accepted conventions.
C5 : Use libraries and IT to access information and scholarly resources.
C6 : Sift and synthesize complex information.
Teaching Methods
C1-6. Participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, individual guidance for essays, individual supervision of dissertations, oral and written feedback on class presentations and essays.
C5 specifically in induction sessions for library use.
Assessment Methods
C1-6. Written assignments and essays, closed examinations, supervised dissertation.
C1 especially in dissertation.
C3-6 specifically in essays and dissertation.
C2 essays, examinations, and dissertation.
D: Key Skills
Learning Outcomes
D1 : Clear, focused, relevant and effective expression and communication.
D2 : Access and organise information from a variety of electronic sources.
D3 : Apply statistical methods.
D4 : To manage projects and timetables. To find, understand and organise information. To work with ideas.
D6 : Positive response to feedback and criticism.
Teaching Methods
D1-5. Participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, written assignments and essays, dissertation.
D3 specifically in GV900 Political Explanation.
D4 specifically in scheduling and balancing requirements for four courses taught in parallel.
D6 specifically in individual guidance on essays, oral and written feedback on essays.
Assessment Methods
D1-4. Written assignments and essays, examinations, dissertation
D6 classroom presentations, written assignments and essays.
