Class test of 2 hours duration (50%) LO 1&2

Short Essay: From a choice over 10 options (50%) 1,500 words LO 1-4

This module offers a comprehensive introduction to the academic study of politics from the perspective of the ideas, key concepts and institutions in/on which political discourse takes place in the contemporary world. The module covers a huge amount of ground from national to international, governance to ideologies, nationalism to globalisation, world politics to international institutions, elections to political parties, democracies to dictatorships. The aim is to give students a solid and comprehensive introduction to the concepts they will develop, research and interrogate in later modules at Levels 5 and 6.

The module incorporates three inter-dependent learning strategies. The lecture programme introduces the concepts and themes of the study of politics. The seminars provide for follow up discussion and clarification of the themes and an application of the approaches. Independent learning will be focused on directed reading and note-taking in preparation for lectures, a class test and a final essay.

Key Information Set Data:
16% Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity
84% Guided Independent Learning

Library, where students will find relevant books, journals, newspapers and periodicals.
Internet, where there are relevant Web sites.

The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.

Heywood, Andrew (2013), Politics 4th Ed. Palgrave
Jones, Bill and Norton, Philip, (2014)Politics UK, 8th ed, Longman
Marsh, David (2010), Theory and Methods in Political Science, Palgrave
Richard Heffernan, Richard (2011), Developments in British Politics, Palgrave

1. UNDERSTAND THE FUNDAMENTAL ACADEMIC APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF POLITICS.
[Knowledge and Understanding]

2. UNDERSTAND A RANGE OF POLITICAL CONCEPTS ESSENTIAL TO THE STUDY OF MODERN POLITICS. [Knowledge and Understanding]

3. ANALYSE HISTORIC AND CONTEMPORARY EXAMPLES OF POLITICAL BEHAVIOURS AND INSTITUTIONS USING THE APPROACHES AND CONCEPTS USED IN THE STUDY OF POLITICS.
[Analysis]

4. DEMONSTRATE COMPETENCE IN APPLYING AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE MAIN THEMES AND CONCEPTS IN THE STUDY OF MODERN POLITICS.
[Application; Knowledge and Understanding; Communication]