Politics and International Relations and Philosophy

This combined degree option gives you the opportunity to combine your studies of Politics (75% of the course) with Philosophy (25%). This will deepen your understanding of politics as well as introduce you to key elements of philosophy such as ancient philosophy and reason, argument and persuasion.

Politics at Royal Holloway invites you to explore the ideas and ideologies, as well as the processes, institutions and issues that are fundamental to understanding the politics of our times. You will gain a solid foundation in politics and political theory and as you progress, the flexible nature of the course allows you to specialise in fields such as European integration, democratic theory, British and American politics, political communication and young people’s politics. You will develop your understanding of power relations at all levels of social life and gain insight into the role of identity, ideology, interests and institutions in shaping the modern world.

At Royal Holloway we have a unique approach to Philosophy that looks beyond the narrow confines of the Anglo-American analytic or the European tradition of philosophy focus on both traditions, their relationship and connections between them. The result has been the creation of a truly interdisciplinary and collaborative programme that brings together academic staff from departments across the university.

With the opportunity to examine (amongst other things) the mind and consciousness, aesthetics and morals, the self and others, the range of subjects available to Philosophy students at Royal Holloway guarantees that there will be something on offer that really engages you during your time with us.

Explore Anglo-American analytic philosophy and the European tradition.

Specialise in topics that most interest you.

Understand how philosophy informs modern policy-making.

Reflect on the wider implications of political decisions.

Research placement opportunities with staff and outside organisations.

Course Modules

Core Modules

Year 1

You will take the following module in Politics and International Relations:

• Classic and Contemporary Readings in Politics and International Relations

• Problems of Knowledge

• Introduction to Modern Philosophy

• Introduction to Ancient Philosophy

Year 2

• International Relations Theory

• Contemporary Political Theory

• Introduction to European Philosophy 1: Kant to Hegel

• Mind and World

Year 3

• Politics and/or International Relations Dissertation

• Philosophy 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

Optional modules in Politics and International Relations may include:

• Introduction to Politics and Government

• Introduction to International Relations

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

• Introduction to Logic

• Mind and Consciousness

• Introduction to Aesthetics and Morals

Year 2

• Democracy in Britain

• Contemporary Political Theory

• International Political Economy

• War and Security in World Politics

• Modern Political Thought

• Introduction to Political Communication

• Government and Politics of the United States

• Politics Outside the West

• Introduction to European Philosophy 2: The Critique of Idealism

• Varieties of Scepticism

• Modern French Philosophy

• Practical Ethics

• The Varieties of Scepticism

• Philosophy of Language

• Body and Soul in Ancient Philosophy

Year 3

• Radical Political Theory I: Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche

• European Union Public Policy

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

• US Foreign Policy - History

• The Politics of Africa

• Defence in the Post-Cold War World

• Global Energy Policy

• Refugees and Migration in World Politics

• 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

• 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

• Practical Ethics

• Varieties of Scepticism

• The Varieties of Scepticism

• Modern French Philosophy

• Major Thinker

• Philosophy of Language

• Modern European Philosophy 1: Husserl to Heidegger

• Modern European Philosophy 2: Critical Theory and Hermeneutics

• Body and Soul in Ancient Philosophy

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

The course has a modular structure, whereby you will take 12 course units 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 being given to the final year marks in order to reward progress and achievement.