Politics and International Relations

BA Politics and International Relations looks at political ideas and processes, as well as global issues such as war and security, diplomacy and development.

You will gain a solid foundation in politics, the history of international relations and IR theory, studying subjects such as democracy, decolonisation, democratisation, international organisations, foreign-policy making, human migration and human rights. As you progress through the degree, the flexible nature of the course allows you to specialise in those aspects of domestic politics, political theory and international relations that most interest you.

By combining Politics and International Relations, you will gain an advanced understanding of how individuals, groups and states interact across borders, and how political institutions and ideas differ around the world. As you progress through your studies, you will engage with important contemporary challenges, including, for example, the recent global economic crisis, changes in the European Union, human migration and the threats posed by terrorists and new communications technologies.

The Department of Politics and International Relations has a strong commitment to high-quality, cutting-edge research, all of which informs our teaching. We are a research community that applies various theories and methods to the study of domestic, transnational, regional and global politics. We have expertise in African, British, Chinese, European, Middle East, North American and South Asian politics, and our research covers areas such as security, democratisation, youth politics, international diplomacy and political communication, as well as contemporary and radical theories of democracy and power.

Learn how to approach problems in a rigorous and analytical way.

Gain a solid foundation in politics, the history of international relations and IR theory.

Our graduates pursue roles in many sectors including the civil service, public affairs and law.

Consider contemporary challenges, such as terrorism, climate change and refugees.

Work placement opportunities at MPs’ offi ces, NGOs and local government.

Course Modules

Core Modules

Year 1

• Introduction to Politics and Government

• Introduction to International Relations

• Classic and Contemporary Readings in Politics and International Relations

• Researching Politics and International Relations: Methods, Techniques and Analysis

Year 2

• International Relations Theory

Year 3

• Politics and/or International Relations Dissertation

Optional Modules

Below is a taster of some of the exciting optional modules that students on the course could choose from during this academic year. Please be aware these do change over time, and optional modules may be withdrawn or new ones added.

Year 1

• All modules are core

Year 2

• International Political Economy

• Democracy in Britain

• Contemporary Political Theory

• Modern Political Thought

• Government and Politics of the United States

• Politics Outside the West

• War and Security in World Politics

• Introduction to Political Communication

• Power and Democracy in the EU

Year 3

• European Union Public Policy

• Politics in Action: The Politics and International Relations Experience Placement

• US Foreign Policy - History

• The Politics of Africa

• Radical Political Theory I: Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche

• American Political Development

• The Politics of Russia and Eastern Europe

• Political Theories of Freedom

• Politics of the Law and Rights

• Comparative Political Leadership

• Military Change in the 21st Century

• Foundations in Middle East Politics

• Young People's Politics

• Leadership, Power and the British Prime Ministership

• Global Health Policy

• Politics of South Asia

• Social Diversity and Political Representation

• Parliamentary Studies

• Freedom of Expression: Concepts and Controversies

• Latin American Politics

• Defence and Security Governance

• The Political Economy of Racial Injustice

• Narrative in World Politics

• Why and How People Vote

• Identity, Emotions and Trauma in International Politics

• Ethnic Politics and Ethnic Conflict

• Global Environmental Politics

• Visual Politics

• Issues in Democratic Theory

• Gender and Nationalism in the Middle East and South Asia

https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/undergraduate/politics-and-international-relations/politics-and-international-relations/

The course has a modular structure: you will take 12 course units altogether at the rate of four per year. Some course units are compulsory while others are elective thereby offering flexibility and choice.

Assessment is by a mixture of coursework and end-of-year examination in varying proportions, depending on the course units you choose to take. The first year is foundational and marks do not count towards your final degree. The second year and final year marks do count, with more importance attached to the final year marks in order to reward progress and achievement.