POIR5001: Global Superpowers

• Terms Taught: Lent/Summer term
• US Credits: 5
• ECTS Credits: 10 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: None

Course Description

Contemporary international society is in a state of flux. It is going through a process of rapid change with new challenges and new actors dominating the scene on a constant basis. Gone are the old certainties of a unipolar, and before that a bipolar order.?This module examines this evolving landscape of global power, identifying the forces challenging established hegemonies and exploring the fluid nature of influence in the 21st century. It analyses the shifting balance of power, exploring the relative decline of traditional superpowers such as the United States and Russia and the simultaneous rise of new actors on the global stage, including the traditionally identified BRICS nations as the core members of the new superpower grouping. The module encourages students to consider how economic, military, and cultural influence is being reconfigured in a multipolar world, reshaping traditional understandings of world order. Crucially, the module also analyses the internal and external pressures these powers face: rising regional actors, the evolving nature of global threats, and the erosion of traditional power structures. Through different case studies and theoretical frameworks, students will gain a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between rising and established powers and the implications for global stability and future orders.

Educational Aims

Upon successful completion of this module students will be able to…

1. Assess how traditional power dynamics in the international system are changing
2. Identify emerging global powers
3. Examine the social, political, and economic causes of changing global power
4. Understand the behaviour and power attributes of traditional superpowers and emerging powers

Outline Syllabus

The module will use theoretical frameworks and case studies to examine the changing power dynamics in the international system. The module will examine traditional superpowers, including the United States and Russia, as well as emerging powers, including China and other BRICS nations. The module will give students the tools to understand the international relations, power, and influence of these traditional and new actors and how their behavior influences the international system.

Assessment Proportions

• 100% essay, ~2500 words

POIR5002: Politics of the Global South

• Terms Taught: Lent/Summer term
• US Credits: 5
• ECTS Credits: 10 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: None

Course Description

Taught by a team of specialists, the primary aim of this module is to demystify the idea of the Global South. Through a series of linguistic, economic and political interpretations, it introduces students to the uniqueness of the region. The architecture that holds together the Global South is not just its demarcation from its counterpart - the developed “Global North” but the interplay and interconnectedness of specific themes that runs through them. The core objective of this module is to focus on these specific traits. They broadly range from issues of colonialism and post colonialism, dimension of contemporary nationalism, economic underdevelopment, external intervention, inter-state war, intra-state violence, regional cooperation (South-South Cooperation), processes of governance marred by authoritarianism, poverty and migration and such.

Educational Aims

Upon successful completion of this module students will be able to…

1. Upon completion of this module, the students will gain a critical understanding on the nature, character and workings of a very complex part of the international society.
2. Upon examining the Politics of the Global South, they will also gain an in-depth understanding of the future of the Global North as the fate of both are intimately intertwined.
3. Given the importance of the area global affairs, the module will prepare the student to plunge in a diverse range of career options. The knowledge gained will help them launch in the career of academia, journalism, social activism, civil service, international advocacy, as well as the world of finance and law.

Outline Syllabus

Global South is both an academic interpretation as well as practical reality in contemporary international politics. It is loosely defined as a group of nations in the non-western world who exhibit a particular kind of socio-economic and political culture. Comprising of some 134 states from Africa, Asia, Oceania and Latin America and the Caribbean region. These are traditionally considered “peripheral countries” lacking in development, marked by political instability, and united by a common colonial past. Taken together, Global South constitutes three-fourth of humanity. Despite the numerical strength, the region remains shackled by numerous challenges. The primary goal of this module is to demystify the idea of the Global South. Through a series of linguistic, economic and political interpretations, it introduces the students to the uniqueness of the region. The architecture that holds together the Global South is not just its demarcation from its counterpart - the developed “Global North” but the interplay and interconnectedness of specific themes that runs through them. The core objective of this module is to focus on these specific traits. They broadly range from issues of colonialism and post colonialism, dimension of contemporary nationalism, economic underdevelopment, external intervention, inter-state war, intra-state violence, regional cooperation (South-South Cooperation), processes of governance marred by authoritarianism, poverty and migration and such. Introduction – Defining the Global South

1. The Birth of Pan-Africanism
2. Pan-African Thinkers
3. Contemporary Pan-Africanism
4. South Africa and BRICS
5. Legacies of colonialism
6. Disputed borders
7. The question of gender
8. Identity and the state
9. Dimensions of democracy
10. A world divided by ethnicity and religion
11. Place of radical nationalism
12. Competition and Cooperation Engaging with the North

Conclusion - Looking Ahead: The future of South-South Cooperation

Assessment Proportions

The module offers a mixed method of assessment. It is divided into two segments. Essay (50%) and end of the term examination (50%). There will be a dedicated set of 12 essay questions available in the module outline for the students. The examination questions will be available during the scheduled examination hours and day.

• 50% essay, ~1500 words
• 50% exam, 1 hour

POIR6002: The Politics of Crises and the Future of Governance

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas term
• US Credits: 5
• ECTS Credits: 10 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: None

Course Description

The module aims to examine contemporary manifestations of crisis and how various actors seek to govern, exploit or resist them. The module aims to examine the different ways that crises are theorised by competing perspectives and the different remedies that are proposed to address them. The module aims to provide students with a critical understanding of the intersecting political, economic, social, and environmental crises that define the contemporary landscape of global governance. The module aims to foster future-oriented thinking about various aspects of governance (e.g. economic, environmental, social) by encouraging critical engagement with debates on crises and their management. The module aims to develop students’ ability to synthesise conceptual insights from various fields (including but not only critical political economy and environmental studies) in order to make sense of complex real-world developments and crises.

Educational Aims

1. Evaluate competing approaches to crisis, including from the fields of critical political economy, environmental theory and development studies.
2. Explain how economic, political, environmental, and social crises intersect and shape contemporary governing challenges
3. Analyse how different actors and institutions respond to crises, and assess the effectiveness, limitations, and political implications of these responses.
4. Apply key concepts from the course to explain and interpret real-world developments
5. Formulate and communicate well-supported arguments about the present and future of governance in a context of overlapping global crises.

Outline Syllabus

We are living in an era of accelerating crises – of democracy, capitalism, environment, and governance itself – that are reshaping the 21st century global order.?This module critically?examines these intersecting crises and their uneven social, political and economic impacts. Moving beyond traditional political analyses, the module offers an original perspective on the complex interplay of technological disruptions, economic instability, health emergencies and geopolitical shifts.?Informed by among others, by debates within the fields of political economy, environmental politics and development, the module explores how different actors, from international institutions to grassroots movements, attempt to contain these crises and how they are transformed by them. Students will assess competing understandings and responses to ongoing challenges through in-depth case studies of specific crises (e.g. crisis of economy, crisis of social reproduction, crisis of work, energy crisis, climate crisis) critical debates around their nature, and forward-looking research about their possible trajectories. Students will explore how our understanding of power, security and governance are being reshaped by a world where crisis has become the norm. Each week will focus on a different site of crisis, from the stagnating global economy and the breakdown of environmental governance, to the erosion of democratic institutions and the rise of authoritarian responses. Students will also engage with debates around the limits of reform, the crisis of alternatives, and the political viability of proposals such as the Green New Deal or new forms of social democracy. Through case studies, theoretical debates, and future-oriented analysis, the module equips students to critically understand the politics of crisis and grapple with the possibilities and constraints of governance in an age of systematic disruptions.

Assessment Proportions

The assessment will be a crisis case study. Students select a specific crisis (e.g. democratic backsliding, care crisis, climate governance breakdown) and examine its roots, how particular institutions or actors have responded, and the prospects for resolution.

• 100% crisis case study, ~3150-3005 words

POIR6003: Russia and China

• Terms Taught: Lent/Summer term
• US Credits: 5
• ECTS Credits: 10 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: None

Course Description

This course unpacks the socio-political currents of two dynamic actors in world politics - the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation. It is divided into two sections. The first section critically evaluates the application of familiar concepts like modernity, legitimacy, nationalism and capitalism in understanding China under Xi Jinping. The second section examines the emergence of President Putin’s Russia before assessing implications of the consolidation of his power for Russian domestic and foreign policies. The aim of this section is to critically assess reasons for the deterioration of Russia’s relations with the West. The course concludes with a comparison of China’s and Russia’s political directions and the implications for their role in a gradually changing world (dis) order.

Educational Aims

Upon successful completion of this module students will be able to…

1. Understand the evolution of China’s and Russia’s political systems and societies.
2. Discuss implications of these changes for citizens and civil society in China and Russia.
3. Identify linkages China’s and Russia’s political and societal developments with their foreign policies.
4. Examine the concept of norm contestation in China’s and Russia’s relations with the West.
5. Distinguish Chinese and Russian political and social developments in relation to common social scientific constructs including modernity, capitalism, legitimacy and identity.

Outline Syllabus

1. What are key differences and similarities in China’s and Russia’s governance, compared with each other, and with other political systems?
2. What are implications of these differences and similarities for China’s and Russia’s domestic political futures? s
3. What are implications of these differences and similarities for China’s and Russia’s foreign policies?
4. How did the political and economic transformations from the Soviet Union to Russia, and from Maoism to China’s “socialist market economy,” unfold?
5. How have China and Russia’s self-images been changing, and how are they perceived by other actors in international politics?
6. To what extent did Russia’s and China’s internal political and economic transformations facilitate or hamper their relations with other actors?
7. What is the current state and direction of Russia’s and China’s relations with the US, NATO and their neighbours in Europe and Asia?
8. How and why is the China-Russia relationship evolving?

Assessment Proportions

The course is designed with the intention that students will work throughout the term towards a substantial final research essay on a topic of their choosing, developed through the term. From week 2 onward, each of the weekly topics is designed to overlap with the others in order that each student can read and discuss texts relevant to their intended research essay.

Students thereby receive weekly formative feedback as their ideas develop throughout the term, and in turn, broaden the perspective of others in the class by choosing readings related to their own chosen angle on the topic.

• 100% essay, ~3150 words

POIR6004: Politics of Latin America and Africa

• Terms Taught: Lent/Summer term
• US Credits: 5
• ECTS Credits: 10 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: None

Course Description

Latin America and Africa are two of the most dynamic, yet, overlooked regions in contemporary international society. This module aims to explore their shared colonial history, which continues to shape their political economies, post-colonial politics and policy-making, and rich cultural life. This is seen in their role as primary commodity exporters in the global economy, extensive ongoing external intervention, corruption, inequality, poverty, internal violence, social movements, electoral populism, deep religiosity, and creative renewal.

Educational Aims

Upon successful completion of this module students will be able to…

1. Critically analyse how European colonialism brought Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America together resulting in ongoing, multi-faceted processes of development and underdevelopment.
2. Familiarise themselves with both canonical and recent writers from the regions and interrogate the post-colonial politics of knowledge production and intersectional epistemic injustice.
3. Apply theories introduced and explored in the module from postcolonialism, dependency theory, world systems analysis, democratisation, populism, and conflict studies.
4. Confidently undertake independent research projects both in terms of generating ideas and arguments and in terms of how and where to find appropriate sources.

Outline Syllabus

This course will examine how both regions were brought together by sixteenth century European colonialism for its own economic, political and cultural development as well as how their current socio-economic and political processes are conditioned by external intervention and influence. On the question of Latin America, the module will focus on the region’s specific brand of politics marked by strongman culture, complex civil-military relations, the role played by religion in both the societal and the political arena, the debilitating effect of non-state violence in the process of governance and how the continent’s internal socio-economic and political developments have been marred by external actors; most notably the United States. The module will explore the literature and debates on the export of primary commodities, ‘extractivism’, beginning with key texts by Eduardo Galeano from Latin America and Walter Rodney from the Caribbean and Africa.? We will also draw on Emmanuel Wallerstein’s World Systems theory.? This will provide a basis for understanding contemporary forms of extractivism and attempts to counter this with industrialisation, ‘neo-extractivism’ and China’s demand for natural resources from both regions and the alliances formed.? We will look at the critiques from the perspective of those who have suffered the most, for example indigenous people excluded from ‘development’.?? We will draw on examples from mineral- and oil-rich countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Ghana and Ecuador. Introduction – Framing Latin America and Africa

1. Civil Military Relations
2. Politics of populism
3. Role of religion
4. Corruption
5. Non-state violence
6. External intervention (the US in Latin America)

1. Africa’s Incorporation into the World System
2. Colonialism: Economy, State and Ideology
3. Anti-colonialism, Independence and Industrialisation
4. Neoliberalism and Extractivism
5. China and Neo-Extractivism
6. Alternative Models of Development

Assessment Proportions

The mode of assessment for this module is 100% coursework. Given that this is a Year 3 module, we encourage our students to undertake independent research.

As part of independent research undertaking, students are required to answer 2 questions from a set of 12 essay questions (the list is not exclusive). Each essay should be of 3,000 words covering one of the regions concerned (i.e., 1 essay on Latin America + 1 essay on Africa). The answer should reflect the student’s deep critical exploration of the chosen topic while expressing originality, independent thinking and engagement with the existing body of knowledge.

POIR6005: Europe and America

• Terms Taught: Lent/Summer term
• US Credits: 5
• ECTS Credits: 10 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: None

Course Description

This module aims to:

• To examine the longstanding and important relationship between the European Union and the United States
• To encourage students to develop appropriate scholarly and theoretical frameworks for understanding the effectiveness of the transatlantic alliance
• To develop writing and verbal skills within the context of a class that focuses on two of the world’s most important superpowers
• Critically and reflexively evaluate the assumptions, values, and potential biases that shape their role in International Relations

Educational Aims

Upon successful completion of this module students will be able to:

1. Engage with the key state of the art political science and international relations literature on Brussels-Washington relations
2. Utilise relevant academic and policy sources to analyse effectively the key aspects of EU-US relations

Outline Syllabus

This class examines two of the world’s most important powers - the European Union (EU) and the United States (US). The transatlantic alliance was forged post-war and remains one of the most important globally despite current challenges. The module provides an introduction to the EU’s normative power and its attempts to upload its distinctive European values internationally:

• what exactly are European rights and values, and what is the ‘European way of life’?
• how do the institutions and laws of the EU impact upon its neighbourhood and foreign policy?
• as Europe increasingly turns to security issues, how realistic is President Macron’s proposal for a European army to replace long-established American hard power?

The module will then go on to look at the US as the pre-eminent global superpower. In particular, key dynamics of EU-US relations will be explored and scrutinised:

• how has the Trump presidency affected the relationship between Brussels and Washington
• is there evidence of America stepping back more profoundly from its close ties with Europe?
• what are the long term prospects for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), still of vital importance to Central and Eastern Europe states

International relations between the United States and European Union has an impact not just on these two regions but globally - both liberal democracies, American hard power traditionally compliments European soft power but to what extent will the twenty first century witness a fundamental shift in this relationship?

Assessment Proportions

• 50% examination, 1 hour
• 50% essay, ~1500 words

POIR6006: Politics of the Middle East and Asia Pacific

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas term
• US Credits: 5
• ECTS Credits: 10 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: None

Course Description

• To examine and analyse the political systems of the states in Asia and the Middle East against the backdrop of the colonial (and pre-colonial) history.
• To examine and analyze the key security concerns of Asia and the Middle East.
• To examine the basis of political identities, the nature of nationalism and sub nationalism and their implications for the nation-state, regional stability, peace, co-operation and development.
• To critically analyse the foreign policies of all the major states in the Middle East and Asia, their relations with world powers and the rest of the world.
• To study the growth and evaluate the success of regional co-operation in Asia and the Middle East and impediments to further co-operation.
• To identify the economic challenges of Asia and the Middle East and explore alternative approaches to dealing with them, and to critically analyse Asia's/Middle East's position in the global economy.

Educational Aims

Upon successful completion of this module students will be able to have:

1. An appreciation and understanding of the impact of colonial rule on the region
2. An ability to critically analyse the political systems of various states in Asia and the Middle East, and compare and contrast them with each other
3. An ability to evaluate the foreign policies of the rising powers in the region
4. A knowledge of regional integration theories and the ability to use them to analyse the efforts to promote regional co-operation in Asia and the Middle East
5. An ability to analyse political identities in Asia and the Middle East using theories of nationalism, ethnicity and the literature on identities in IR
6. An ability to identify the economic challenges and security concerns of the region and critically comment on the efforts being made to deal with them
7. An ability to apply IR theory to the analysis of Asian/Middle Eastern politics and in the process develop and/or critique it

Outline Syllabus

The course critically examines the politics and history of the Middle East and the Asia Pacific, focusing on how these regions have been historically constructed and contested. We will explore themes such as the impact of colonial legacies on the region, key security concerns, the rise of authoritarianism/political hybridity, gender and sexuality, religious identity, the position of minorities in the region, social movements, changing forms of bureaucracy and governance, regionalism and the impact of globalisation, just to mention a few. Since many of the states in the region have adopted western political institutions, it is important to inquire if these are working satisfactorily and if they are not, what is the alternative? This necessitates an examination of the political systems.

However, in order to further our understanding of Asian and Middle Eastern politics we also need to look at ethnicity and nationalism in the region. An examination of the relations between the states in the region as well as their relations with the rest of the world is important in understanding the foreign policy goals of each state and their contribution to the region's overall development. Important issues that also need to be examined include efforts to promote regional co-operation and the Middle East's and Asia’s role in the global political economy. Finally, through comparative case studies, students will be introduced to the diversity of political systems and experiences across the two regions whilst also looking at areas of similarity and difference. The module offers a flexible framework that responds to contemporary global developments and challenges, and supports critical reflection on state, society, and regional identity.

Assessment Proportions

• 100% essay, ~3000 words

POIR6007: The Politics of Borders and Migration

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas term
• US Credits: 5
• ECTS Credits: 10 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: None

Course Description

This module aims to:

1. Equip students with analytical tools to critically engage with migration as a key political issue of our time.
2. Develop students' understanding of the complex dynamics of human mobility across international borders.
3. Enable students to identify and analyse the gap between political rhetoric and policy implementation in migration governance.
4. Foster critical assessment of the diverse impacts of migration on both origin and destination countries.
5. Examine the tensions between border control policies and human rights principles.
6. Engage students with cutting-edge research from political science, international relations, and related disciplines, tied to overall programme objectives.
7. Prepare students to participate meaningfully in informed public discourse about migration governance in an increasingly interconnected world.

Educational Aims

Knowledge and UnderstandingBy the end of this module, students will be able to:

1. Critically analyse the key political debates surrounding migration and border control in the UK and other Global North countries.
2. Evaluate the empirical evidence on migration's impacts on both sending and receiving countries.
3. Identify and explain the gap between political rhetoric and policy implementation in migration governance.
4. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of migration as both a human rights issue and a matter of state sovereignty.

Key Transferable SkillsBy the end of this module, students will be able to:

1. Develop well-structured arguments that engage with complex ethical and political questions.
2. Critically evaluate media and political claims about migration using robust evidence.
3. Communicate effectively about sensitive political issues with awareness of diverse perspectives.
4. Engage constructively in debates that involve competing normative frameworks and empirical claims.

Outline Syllabus

In the United Kingdom and in most of the Global North the movement of people across international borders is a key political issue of our time. The public, researchers and politicians across the political spectrum participate in passionate debates about immigration. Political parties make strong claims about how they would “manage” or “cut” migration, recognising that it is top voting issue. Meanwhile, the systematic study of human movement supplies us with robust evidence concerning such questions as:

• Is migration desirable or not?
• How should we understand its effects on origin and destination countries?
• How to address it in policy terms?
• Why do we see gaps between what politicians say on immigration and what they do?
• Is migration a matter of human rights?
• What is the relationship between capitalism and immigration policy—and how does immigration reshape capitalism?
• Why do political parties struggle with immigration? How is public opinion on immigration shaped?
• Can border control be reconciled with respect for the rights of people on the move?

Drawing on cutting edge research in political science, IR and cognate disciplines this module prepares students for informed participation in the unfolding societal debate on what it means to inhabit a world on the move.

Assessment Proportions

• 25% in-class presentation, ~5 minutes
• 75% research essay, ~2300 words

POLI4001: Parties, Populism and Protest

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas term
• US Credits: 5
• ECTS Credits: 10 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: None

Course Description

This module aims to:

• teach students how to analyse highly contemporary political events and trends with a focus on party politics and comparative political behaviour
• develop critical skills enabling students to contextualise these issues within a comparative context linking them to core empirical questions and debates
• encourage students to use evidence to evaluate competing explanations for recent political developments in the areas of democracy and elections.

Educational Aims

Upon successful completion of this module students will be able to:

1. Engage with key political science literature on the study of political behaviour - both via elections and direct democracy
2. Utilise relevant academic and other sources to analyse effectively the key aspects of democracy and party politics
3. Develop key critical academic writing skills
4. Assess the value of different types of empirical evidence in the study of Comparative Politics

Outline Syllabus

In this module, students will learn how to analyse highly contemporary political events and trends in an introductory and accessible way. They will develop critical skills enabling them to contextualise these issues within a comparative context linking them to core empirical questions and debates within academic research in Political Science and Comparative Politics. This will act as the basis for further more advanced study in years two and three focusing on current challenges to democracy and the difficulties around leadership in unstable times.

The module will take a problem-based learning approach with students using evidence to evaluate competing explanations for recent political developments in the areas of democracy and elections, political leadership, the state and globalisation, structural inequalities, political institutions, public opinion and protest. We are told we live in uncertain times but where is the evidence for this, and if so, why is party politics presently so volatile?

Taking advantage of our extensive regional expertise (UK Politics, American Politics, European Politics and Middle-East Politics), this module will be highly responsive to contemporary global political trends, enabling first year students to directly connect current political events and their own political interests with the broader academic discipline of Politics. In doing so, students in the class will learn to critically reflect on the different types of empirical evidence which academics and researchers use to study politics including polling, discourse analysis and case studies.

Assessment Proportions

The summative assessment consists of a critical analysis of the empirical evidence from a collection of academic articles on a relevant topic.

POLI4002: Policy Lab

• Terms Taught: Lent/Summer term
• US Credits: 5
• ECTS Credits: 10 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: None

Course Description

This module aims to introduce students to theories, concepts and understandings of public policy at multiple levels. The course is designed to give students a rich understanding of how public policymaking works from policy design to policy formulation, to policy implementation and evaluation and provide students with competent skills in policy analysis. An aim is for students to understand the stages of policymaking and think critically about public policymaking processes that goes beyond basic policy cycle assumptions, to interrogate questions around why policy is made in the way it is, which actors and what factors shape policy outputs, and why gaps exist between policy outputs and outcomes. A key aim is for students to develop policy analysis skills, creative problem-solving skills through policy recommendations and verbal and written communication skills for policy audiences at all levels of policymaking from global and national to regional and local. A further aim is for students to gain broad knowledge on specific public policies and in-depth knowledge on a specific UK public policy field of their choice.

The module represents the Politics programme’s primary Y1 Policy module setting the foundations for students for a public policy pathway by providing basic policy analysis skills, developing skills in communication for policy audience, and attaining proficient knowledge of policymaking processes. The module is core for all Politics students as it develops wide ranging skills needed to undertake a degree in Politics, specifically independent research, critical analysis, problem solving and communication skills. The module provides the foundational skills for Politics students in future modules whilst building in employability skills and LU graduate attributes of professional excellence in an applied setting, specifically communication, team working, problem solving, analytical thinking, and time management.

Educational Aims

Upon successful completion of this module students will be able to…

1. Demonstrate proficient understanding of the policymaking process at multiple levels, from design to evaluation, and the key considerations in policy formulation and decision making
2. Critically evaluate the factors and actors that influence public policymaking, identifying the complexities of policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation.
3. Develop and apply policy analysis skills to critically evaluate the gaps between policy outputs and outcomes, demonstrating the ability to assess the effectiveness, impact, and practical implications of public policies at various levels.
4. Apply problem-solving skills through devising policy recommendations based on the critical analysis of current public policies, using creative problem-solving skills to address policy issues at global, national, regional, or local levels.
5. Demonstrate the ability to think critically and independently about the processes and practices of public policymaking, identifying underlying assumptions and interrogating the reasons for policy choices and their broader implications
6. Develop research, written, and verbal communication skills to effectively present policy analysis, recommendations, and findings to diverse policy audiences, demonstrating the ability to conduct thorough research and communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively.

Outline Syllabus

The world is full of “wicked problems”. From inequality, to unemployment, to housing crisis, to climate change. We need innovative policy to tackle these complex issues. On this module you will act as policy advisors, learning how to solve complex problems and produce practical recommendations to government for policy change. Learning through real-world policy cases in teams, the module will equip you to understand the policymaking process from policy design to evaluation. We’ll touch on questions such as Why do some issues get framed as problems and make it to the policy agenda? How is policy formulated? Why do policies fail? By the end of this module, you’ll have the skills to evaluate policy, propose policy solutions and be trained as a policy analyst.

This module will immerse students in the dynamic world of policymaking, helping you uncover how and why public policy is created, and the key actors and factors that drive both success and failure. You'll dive into a wide range of policies, gaining a deep understanding of a specific policy area through a hands-on policy briefing. You’ll explore questions like: Who holds the power to shape policy? What causes the gap between policy intentions and real-world outcomes? How are policy problems framed and defined?

Key topics:

• Policy cycle: agenda setting, problem definition, policy formulation, policy implementation, policy evaluation
• Key institutions, debates and trends in UK policymaking: e.g. role of civil service, evidence-based policy, new public management
• Policy analysis skills including how to evaluate policy, how to devise policy solutions
• Policy problems e.g. net zero, ageing societies, welfare systems, education policy

Assessment Proportions

Assessment for learning is built in the module through: -

1. the summative policy brief assessment where students will research a policy area, analyse the current policy, and construct a policy solution. The assessment will serve to enable students to apply and develop their policy analysis skills and initiate independent research skills.
2. The group presentation assessment will enable students to develop their verbal communication skills especially for policy audiences and gain experience in collaborative working.

POLI4003: Political Theory for a Troubled World

• Terms Taught: Lent/Summer term
• US Credits: 5
• ECTS Credits: 10 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: None

Course Description

In a world increasingly defined by political instability, economic crises deepening inequalities, environmental degradation and technological disruptions, the enduring questions have gained new urgency and continue to animate contemporary political debates. This module invites students to explore how the history of political thought can serve as a vital resource for understanding the crises of our age and their social implications. By engaging with major and neglected currents in the history of political ideas – from classical liberalism, to socialism, to feminist political thought all the way to the Black radical tradition – Political Theory for a Troubled World examines the different arguments that have been put forward to defend or critique the prevailing political-economic order. In doing so, the module encourages students to draw on centuries of political debate to critically evaluate current events.

Educational Aims

Upon successful completion of this module students will be able to…

1. Develop and present coherent arguments drawing on a diverse range of thinkers and political traditions to support their claims
2. Apply political ideas, concepts and arguments to contemporary issues, using the history of political thought to critically evaluate current events
3. Identify contemporary political debates and show awareness of their intellectual roots and evolution over time
4. Critically engage with competing conceptions of freedom, justice, violence, capitalism and the state etc. within political theory
5. Demonstrate understanding and awareness of different perspectives and traditions in political theory, including the capacity to critically engage with them

Outline Syllabus

Political Theory for a Troubled World explores how historical and contemporary political thinkers have approached urgent questions that remain central to our understanding of contemporary political challenges. The module is structured around a series of provocative weekly questions that connect classical debates in political thought to contemporary political and social issues. Each week introduces students to a major theoretical problem, examines how different political traditions have grappled with it and draws implications for the present. What can Marx tell us about the dangers or promises of AI? How would Frantz Fanon respond to the Black Lives Matter movement? What would Hanah Arendt say about the role of social media in politics?

Topics studied might include:

1. Can we live without states?
2. When are we free?
3. Does democracy work?
4. Why do we work?
5. Are markets necessary?
6. What is justice?
7. When is political resistance justified?
8. What is wealth and why some have more of it?
9. Should we revolt?
10. Is there life after capitalism?

Assessment Proportions

Assessment for this module is centred on a formative and summative essay. For the summative essay, students critically respond to a provocative/debatable/controversial claim such as ‘Without states, society would disintegrate’ or ‘Markets are natural and inevitable’. The format seeks to encourage students to develop foundational academic writing skills including building arguments, showing awareness of competing perspectives and building connections between theory and empirical evidence.

POLI4005: British Politics: Political Ideas in Action

• Terms Taught: Lent/Summer term
• US Credits: 5
• ECTS Credits: 10 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: None

Course Description

This module aims to:

• introduce students to the key concepts that shape politics, providing the building blocks for advanced study of politics
• teach students to analyse key concepts that shape our understanding of British politics
• encourage in-class debates and rigorous text analysis to fine-tune oral presentation skills, and develop critical analytical skills.

Educational Aims

Upon successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Engage with key political science literature on British politics, government and public policy
• Utilise relevant academic and policy sources to analyse effectively key aspects of British politics and policy
• Develop key critical essay skills in persuasive argumentation that are consistent with use of argument and evidence in the study of British politics

Outline Syllabus

This module introduces students to the key concepts that shape contemporary politics and public affairs, providing the foundation for more advanced study of Politics in years two and three of the BA Politics degree at Lancaster. We will do this by opening the ‘black box’ of British politics - the United Kingdom is likely to be the case with which most students are familiar having taken A-Level Politics, for example, and therefore lends itself to being studied in depth through the prism of wider themes in Political Science and Public Policy.

Students will discover key concepts that shape our understanding of British politics, how to conduct state of the art political analysis, and gain a sophisticated understanding of the complexities of the British political landscape. For example, students in the class will explore the ideological foundations of major parties, tracing the Conservative Party's evolution from One-Nation to Thatcherism and Brexit, analysing Labour's shift from Old to New Labour, and the dilemmas of social democracy today.

Through contemporary in-class debates and rigorous text analysis, students will fine-tune their oral presentation skills, develop critical analytical skills by learning how to dissect political arguments, and understand the shifting ideological currents within British statecraft. Key themes will include: British Political Tradition; Party ideologies; Conservative party and conservatism; Thatcherism; Old Labour to New Labour; Blairism; Liberal Democrats; Fringe parties – Greens and the rise of the radical right; Nationalism; key institutions – PM, Cabinet and Parliament/Whitehall versus Westminster; Devolution; Empire; Europe and Brexit; “global Britain” and foreign policy; Future of the Union; Electoral system/voting patterns and behaviour.

Assessment Proportions

Formative assessment is via weekly seminar debates on key topics of British politics focusing on skills of argumentation. There is then a final, summative assessement in the form of an exam during the examination period.

POLI5001: Theories of Power and the State

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas term
• US Credits: 5
• ECTS Credits: 10 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: None

Course Description

This module aims to develop students understanding and application of the key theories of power and the state in political science. The module intends to equip students with a proficient understanding of the key theories of power and the state, and to develop skills in application of these concepts to current global politics. Students will gain a firm understanding of some of the basic theories of the state, critically reflect on key theorists, and critically engage with debates of the state. The module lays the theoretical foundation for the Politics programme, introducing students to the core theories and perspectives in the discipline. A comprehensive understanding of the key theories in political science and ability to analytically apply these perspectives to real world politics is necessary for students for level 6. POLI5001 works in combination with POLI5002 (which provides empirical skills) to provide the theoretical toolkit necessary to undertake the level 6 dissertation. Knowledge and ability to critically apply the contrasting perspectives of the discipline is also necessary for application in the sub-disciplinary pathways in level 6. The module is core to ensure compliance with QAA benchmarks in Politics and International Relations.

Educational Aims

Upon successful completion of this module students will be able to…

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of key theories of power and the state, assessing their significance in the development of political science
2. Distinguish, compare and critically appraise major theoretical perspectives in political science by persuasively evaluating their explanatory power in the context of real-world politics, supporting arguments using evidence.
3. Proficiently apply and justify the use of theoretical frameworks to interpret and explain real-world political issues and global developments.
4. Develop and enhance communication skills, with a particular focus on an opportunity to enhance verbal communication, to clearly articulate and defend theoretical arguments, while building the analytical and research foundations needed for independent study and advanced political analysis at Level 6.

Outline Syllabus

Politics is the exercise of power, and no concept is more central in political analysis than the state. But what is the state and how is it developing in the 21st century? Is it an overbearing apparatus of oppression, or a condition for freedom, peace and order? In this module, students will critically engage with the foundational theories, ideas and concepts that define the discipline of politics. We’ll look at the key thinkers and address the big questions, such as: how is power exercised by the state and whose interests does it serve? Are corporations now more powerful than states? In the digital globalised world, are the boundaries of nation state power still relevant? By the end of the module, students will have a firm grasp of the competing theories of power and how they relate to the state, enabling you to critically apply key concepts in political debate. There are a wide range of potential key theories, developments, concepts, and theorists to explore. Weekly themes will be organised around a key theory:

• Theories: Liberalism, Marxism, Pluralism, Postcolonialism, Institutionalism, Positivism, Poststructuralism, Rational choice, Elitism, Public Choice Theory, Feminism

The following are indicative themes, debates and theorists which will be adaptive to the cutting-edge developments in the discipline and to global politics trends and events:

• Developments in state and power: globalisation, neoliberalism, hollowing out, populism and authoritarianism, inequality, social movements e.g. Black Lives Matter, Extinction Rebellion, Fridays for Future Movement, Proud boys
• Concepts: sovereignty, security, nation and nationalism, populism, capital, state autonomy
• Theorists: Foucault, Lukes, Hayek, Nozick, Dahl, Miliband, Weber, Spivak, Agamben, Said, Tilly, McKinnon, Skocpol

Assessment Proportions

The formative and summative assessment principles promote critical thinking, critical appraisal, encourage engaging with multiple perspectives, connect theory to world events and develop practical skills such as group work, and in particular verbal communication skills. Assessment for learning is built in the module through the summative assessment where students apply theory to world politics and critically appraise theories through comparative evaluation. The formative assessment will provide peer led feedback for students in preparation for the summative assessment and provides the bridge in developing skills of theoretical application to world politics in preparation for the independent critical appraisal and application required for the summative assessment. The assessment builds the skills for transition towards independent research activities and knowledge production, by providing students with curated choices in topic and theories, promoting intendent learning, research and critical analysis.

• Podcast, inclusive of transcript (10 minutes)

OR

• Comparative applied essay (~2500 words)

POLI5002: Understanding Political Research

• Terms Taught: Lent/Summer term
• US Credits: 5
• ECTS Credits: 10 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: None

Course Description

This module aims to…

• Give students the skills necessary for carrying out a research exercise
• Equip students with skills that will improve their employability: working independently, analysing data, and designing independent research projects?
• Introduce students to the main qualitative and quantitative research methods employed in politics and international relations
• Teach students how to successfully apply a research method to answer a research question
• Develop students’ ability to critically evaluate empirical evidence
• Develop academic skills such as critical and independent thinking, academic writing and argumentation

Educational Aims

Upon successful completion of this module students will be able to…

1. Understand the difference between qualitative and quantitative research methods
2. Demonstrate a deep understanding of at least one research method
3. Complete an original research exercise
4. Understand all aspects of research design, including literature review, methodology and data analysis
5. Understand the importance of transparency and ethical conduct in political research

Outline Syllabus

The module aims to help students develop the skills they need to carry out independent research in politics. In doing so, it prepares students for their final year dissertations and significantly improves their employability by developing skills that are highly valued by employers. Students will learn how to come up with an original research question and will learn to employ one of the research methods taught on the course to answer their question. The course is designed to provide an accessible introduction to both qualitative and quantitative research methods. In the first part of the course, student will have the opportunity to use a large dataset on politics and explore the relationship between variables such as political ideology, class, voting behaviour and many more. They will learn how to analyse data and test for statistically significant relationship between variables using various regression methods. In the second part of the course, students will learn about three major approaches to qualitative research. They will learn how to conduct standard and elite interviews, how to analyse discourse of political actors, and how to conduct case studies / comparative research. At the end of the module, student will be asked to design their own piece of research that uses one of the methods taught on the course. ?Some of the key questions addressed on the module are:

• How to come up with a topic for a research question?
• How to choose the best method to answer your research question?
• What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative methods?
• How to make sure that your findings are trustworthy?

Topics will typically include:

• Introduction to the course: philosophy of science
• How to develop a research question and when to use hypotheses
• Planning and writing a literature review
• Introduction to quantitative methods
• Inferential statistics
• Correlation and simple linear regression
• Multivariate regression
• Logistic regression
• Interviews and research ethics
• Discourse analysis
• Comparative politics
• Pulling your project together

Assessment Proportions

Students are assessed on their ability to independently design a research question, collect their data and critically analyse it. The project allows students to gain an in-depth understanding of one chosen methodological approach out of four taught on the module (quantitative methods, in-depth interviews, textual analysis, and the comparative method). The research exercise is due early the following term to give students enough time to reach out to the supervisors, schedule interviews and obtain and analyse critical data.

• 100% research exercise, ~2500 words and a recorded 5 minute self-reflection on the research process

POLI5003: Democracy, Dictatorship and Everything in Between

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas term
• US Credits: 5
• ECTS Credits: 10 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: None

Course Description

In this module students will learn about the challenges of contemporary leadership and governing in the fast-changing interconnected world of the 21st Century. From a comparative perspective, they will critically assess the extent to which individual and institutional political actors control their own destinies or are constrained by the globalised context within which they are operating by contrasting the nature of government in democratic and non-democratic states. The module combines theory and empirical cases to evaluate how states and politicians exercise power. It will focus on how political legitimacy, the relationship between the individual and the state and political leadership models vary between democratic and non-democratic states. The module explores theories of democratisation, political leadership and decision-making and citizen behaviour. The module comparatively examines sources of government legitimacy between authoritarian and democratic states, political leadership styles and strategies, political communication, variation in the impact of globalisation on the capacity and resources of states, and the changing role of political parties as mediators of state power and political engagement. The module will enable students to critically assess the behaviour of states and leaders in democratic and non-democratic contexts. Students will also gain an understanding of the core principles and values of comparative analysis, developing the skills to critically engage with evidence from different case studies and what can be inferred from this. It will be highly responsive to contemporary global comparative politics. The module will develop students’ understanding of the impact of contemporary issues and trends on political leaders.

Educational Aims

Upon successful completion of this module students will be able to…

1. Understand different political leadership and governance theories
2. Comparatively evaluate different leadership and governance styles
3. Critically assess the leadership and governance styles of individual leaders and governments
4. Explain the role that external and internal factors have on leadership style and governance in both democratic and authoritarian countries

Outline Syllabus

The module will examine theories of democratic and non-democratic state power and how this influences the attitudes and behaviour of citizens. It will do this through engaging with key theories related to the source of state power and legitimacy in democratic and non-democratic context, political leadership styles, political rhetoric, the changing role and structure of political parties, democratic backsliding, democratisation and the theory of hybrid democracies. It will do so through a problem-based learning approach grounded in addressing key research problems in comparative politics including; How can we understand different leadership styles in democratic and non-democratic states? Why are some authoritarian leadership styles more effective than others? How does regime and state type impact leadership style? Why do countries become democratic? What are the causes of democratic backsliding? Why are political parties in decline? What defines the difference between a democracy and a non-democracy? Where do non-democratic governments get their legitimacy from? The module will explore these questions by using case study examples comparing democratic and non-democratic states. These debate will be directly grounded in highly contemporary issues, events and trends in global contemporary comparative politics. The module is designed to follow on from Year 1 by adding complex nuance in the way in which key theories of the relationship between the state and citizens varies between democratic and non-democratic states. It particularly focuses on introducing the concept that key themes, trends, institutions and terms such as citizenship, political parties, leadership and legitimacy have different implications in a democratic states than they do in non-democratic ones and considering the implications of this to leaders, voters, political movements and states.

Assessment Proportions

• 100% essay, ~2500 words

POLI5004: Who Governs Britain? Policy, Politics and Political Change

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas term
• US Credits: 5
• ECTS Credits: 10 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: None

Course Description

The module aims to:?

• To critically examine the power relations that underpin public policy analysis, formulation and implementation??
• To apply diverse theoretical frameworks (feminism, decolonisation, Marxism, anti-racism) to policy processes??
• To develop students' ability to identify how values, ideas, interests and institutions shape policy, paying particular attention to whose interests are served and whose are marginalised?
• To cultivate critical thinking skills for analysing complex policy challenges such as poverty, global healthcare, social inequalities and climate crisis?

Educational Aims

By the end of the module, students will be able to:?

1. Compare and contrast various critical theoretical approaches to policy analysis?
2. Critically engage with a range of sources, normative positions and empirical evidence and position their own findings or arguments in relation to dominant policy narratives and assumptions?
3. Conduct power analyses of specific policy cases and evaluate the differential impacts of policies on diverse social groups?
4. Develop research skills to gather and analyse policy-relevant information to formulate policy recommendations???
5. Effectively communicate complex policy analyses through professional report writing.

Outline Syllabus

This module introduces you to the analysis and making of public policy through the lens of British Politics. You will examine how political institutions, actors and ideologies shape policymaking in the UK, and develop the analytical and practical skills needed to engage with the policy process—to become an effective policy analyst and changemaker. Focusing on the structures, processes and actors within the UK’s multi-level system of governance, the module explores how policy is formulated and implemented at Westminster, within devolved governments, and at the local level. You will analyse the roles of Parliament, ministers, civil servants, local authorities, interest groups, and the public in shaping and contesting policy decisions. You’ll examine how policy is implemented and critically interrogate what counts as evidence in policymaking and how it used. Rather than treating policy as a neutral or technical process, this module critically examines policy as a site of power and political struggle. Drawing on theoretical frameworks from feminism, decolonial thought, Marxism, and anti-racism, you will interrogate how policy problems are defined, whose knowledge counts, and which voices are marginalised in political debate. Teaching is highly interactive and practical. You will participate in policy simulations—including select committee simulations—to explore the real-world dynamics of British policymaking and develop your skills in political communication, evidence use, stakeholder engagement, and negotiation. These are complemented by group workshops and independent research projects that will deepen your understanding and prepare you for more advanced policy enquiry in your final year. Key Questions:

• How do UK political institutions shape the policy process?
• Who decides what counts as a policy problem—and how are these problems framed?
• What power dynamics influence policy decisions and implementation?
• How do political ideas, interests and institutions interact in shaping policy outcomes?
• What does meaningful democratic participation in policymaking look like?

Key Topics:

• UK political institutions: Parliament, the executive, devolved and local government
• Policy formulation, implementation and administrative politics
• Framing and constructing policy problems; narratives and competing interests
• Power and discretion in implementation
• Policy networks, advocacy coalitions, lobbying and interest group politics
• The politics of evidence and knowledge production
• Critical policy analysis: feminist, decolonial, anti-racist, and political economy perspectives
• Multilevel governance in UK policymaking
• Public engagement: protest, social movements, participatory and collaborative policymaking

By the end of the module, you will have a deep understanding of how public policy is shaped within the UK’s political system—and the practical skills to engage with, influence, and challenge policymaking in democratic and transformative ways.

Assessment Proportions

The formative and summative assessment principles promote critical thinking, encourage engaging with multiple perspectives, connect theory to practice and develop practical skills such as group work, communication and report writing.

• 100% Critical Policy Evaluation Report

POLI6002: Democracy Under Pressure

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas term
• US Credits: 5
• ECTS Credits: 10 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: None

Course Description

This module aims to…

• Develop students critical understanding of the academic debate and empirical evidence on challenges to contemporary democracy.
• Enable students to critically understand the differences between key core concepts in the study of democracy such as Authoritarianism, Democratic Backsliding, Populism and Fragmentation.
• Enable students to carry out their own independent empirical research in comparative politics and position their findings within the relevant existing academic literature on contemporary democracy.
• Develop students critical understanding of comparative evidence generated from quantitative data analysis and case study methodology.
• Enable students to critically reflect in depth on differences in the practical political realities and experiences of core democratic concepts between Authoritarian and Democratic contexts.
• Develop students independent learning, academic writing and research design skills.

Educational Aims

Upon successful completion of this module students will be able to…

1. Understand and critically reflect on the concepts and empirical evidence related to challenges faced by democracy in both democratic and authoritarian context.
2. Critically reflect on the knowledge claims that have been generated by academic research on comparative politics and the methodologies that have been applied to produce them.
3. Demonstrate the ability to produce their own independent comparative empirical analysis using a recognised methodology and position these findings within an existing literature on contemporary democracy.
4. Understand the appropriate application of comparative case study methodology and quantitative analysis to academic research question in the study of contemporary democracy.
5. Critically reflect on the globalised nature of challenges to contemporary democracy and the applicability of comparative methodologies to addressing them.

Outline Syllabus

In this module students will explore the key issues and challenges facing contemporary democratic states and movements in the 21st Century. It has been argued that modern democracy faces multiple challenges including increasing authoritarianism, the rise of populist movements, the collapse of stable electoral party systems and the rise of challenger parties from across the political spectrum, declining public trust in leaders and political institutions, globalisation and transnational government, new forms of authoritarian leadership and increasing repression of dissent and protest. Taking a comparative approach, the module will explore how these evolving challenges have impacted the politics of both democratic and authoritarian states and evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies that have been taken to address them. Bringing together the skills they have developed in research methodologies and comparative analysis throughout their programme, students will have the opportunity to carry out their own independent research in these areas enabling them to contribute directly to the contemporary academic debate on the contemporary prospects for democracy. This is an opportunity for students to further develop key employable research skills in quantitative analysis and case study research and apply these in a comparative cross-national context to explore the causes, consequences and potential solutions to contemporary democratic challenges. In doing so students will use their engagement with the academic literature, core theories and critical reflection on the existing comparative empirical evidence and apply this to their own independent research analysis of highly contemporary democratic challenges in specific national or regional contexts. In doing so students will deepen and broaden their comparative understanding of core political trends and institutions such as democratisation, authoritarianism, the role of the state, political leadership, political parties and elections.

Assessment Proportions

Students will develop a research question on a core topic related to Democratic challenges and explore this either through comparative case study analysis or quantitative comparative analysis as appropriate for the topic of interest. Teaching staff on the module will guide them in this research design process through the formative assessment process.

• 100% independent research project into a relevant research question of students' own interest

POLI6004: Critical Political Theory

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas term
• US Credits: 5
• ECTS Credits: 10 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: None

Course Description

This module builds on previous courses on political theory by offering the opportunity for advanced study in the area. In this module, students will study conceptual questions about the nature of power, justice, injustice, freedom, and the state and normative questions about the kinds of political structures we should adopt. Students will read contemporary and historical texts in depth, and debate their implications for modern governance and society. They will also have the chance to critically interrogate prominent traditions of political thought, and the power dynamics and structures which have shaped them. In so doing they will explore fundamental questions about what it means to do political theory and engage with historically marginalised perspectives. By taking this module, students will gain a deeper theoretical understanding of key issues in contemporary politics, enhancing their ability to analyse complex political concepts. They will also develop essential interpretive and argumentative skills, enabling them to assess competing viewpoints, their origin and contexts, and contribute thoughtfully to ongoing discussions about politics, as well as communication skills across different medium.

Educational Aims

Upon successful completion of this module students will be able to…

1. Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of a number of core debates in political theory
2. Engage with and critically reflect on rival conceptual understandings of core political ideas and competing normative visions
3. Show the relevance of and apply debates in political theory to current political issues
4. Demonstrate an awareness of how theoretical thinking about politics is shaped by historical and ongoing power relationships and structures
5. Engage with and competently evaluate theoretical arguments
6. Formulate and carefully argue for their own views on complex issues
7. Engage in a piece of independent research

Outline Syllabus

What is equality, and is it desirable? What does it mean to claim that we have ‘rights’? What does it mean to be free and which social, economic and political structures best promote people’s freedom? In what ways does democracy safeguard our interests, and in what ways might it endanger them? What would it mean for the family to be just? How should we understand the nature of oppression and how does it manifest in the lives of different oppressed groups? In which ways should existing injustices shape our thinking on what a just society looks like? Should political theory be primarily concerned with formulating an ideal vision of what a just society would look like, or instead focus on existing injustices and how to address them? How have power structures, and the systematic exclusion of some voices, shaped the discipline of political theory? Drawing on their prior study in this area, students will engage with a number of the core questions of political theory at an advanced level. They will explore conceptual issues around how best to understand some of the core political concepts, such as freedom and equality, they will engage with diverse perspectives on existing injustices and competing normative visions on how our social and political arrangements should be structured. They will also critically reflect on what it means to do political theory and how historical and ongoing structures of power have shaped the way political theory has been practiced in different contexts. In doing so, this module will centre historically marginalised voices and critical approaches including feminist political thought, postcolonial and decolonial theories, black political thought and other theoretical perspectives on race and racism.

Assessment Proportions

Students will have a choice regarding assessment.

• The first option is an extended essay. Essays are an optimal way for students to show that they have acquired some of the core skills that one can learn through the advanced study of political theory, namely the ability to structure a long piece of writing and engage with a wide range of different materials to make a coherent argument.
• The second assessment option that students can select has two components: a collaborative podcast and an individually authored piece of writing. The podcast will be a collaborative project between two or more students in which they will discuss a conceptual or normative question, articulating their own perspective on the issues at stake. This will assess their ability to make coherent and well-supported arguments in a dialogical context and their ability to work together. The second part of the assessment will be a piece of reflective writing in which students individually reflect on the making of the podcast, the motivation for choosing a particular topic and the views they have articulated.

Formative assessment will consist in the presentation of either an essay plan or a plan for the podcast. Students will receive feedback from the seminar leader and their peers, thus integrating another element of collaboration and peer-exchange.

POLI6005: Parliamentary Studies

• Terms Taught: Lent/Summer term
• US Credits: 5
• ECTS Credits: 10 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: None

Course Description

This module aims to…

• Develop students critical understanding of the UK policy making process
• Enable students to critically reflect on both well-established and more contemporary theories of representation and UK institutions
• Enable students to critically analyse key debates around issues of constitutional reform within the UK
• To enable students to place the current debates around Parliament within the broader context of the development of the British state.
• Develop students critical thinking skills in assessing both theory and empirical evidence
• Develop students policy analysis research skills
• Develop students skills in professional and persuasive writing to non-expert audiences
• Enable students to apply their theoretical and empirical learning in Politics to addressing real world policy challenges.

Educational Aims

Upon successful completion of this module students will be able to…

1. Apply their theoretical knowledge of UK institutions and theories of representation to a critical understanding of the key contemporary constitutional debates in UK politics.
2. Analyse the policy process from the point of view of practitioners and the practical challenges of working within the UK Parliamentary system
3. Produce policy analysis, evidence and recommendations of the accepted form and style for Parliamentary select committees.
4. Critically reflect on the complexity of institutional effectiveness and ensuring equal representation.
5. Carry out targeted and efficient independent secondary analysis and critically reflect on the quality of evidence they have identified.

Outline Syllabus

In recent years the existing Parliamentary institutions of the UK have come under unparalleled stress.? Brexit, devolution, scandal and the decline of public trust in politics have led many to question and challenge the fundamental structure of UK institutions.? However, Parliament remains at the centre of political life in the UK and is fundamental to the development of public policy.? This leads to key questions about the extent to which the UK Parliament is fit for purpose in the 21st Century and whether it can balance competing interests within the classic debates about continuity and change in British Politics. This unique module, delivered in partnership with Parliament, gives you the opportunity to explore these vital questions of policy formation and constitutional reform interacting directly with Parliamentary officials, researchers and officers including the offer of an optional organised trip to Parliament (for which there will be a cost to students that will be kept as low as possible). In doing so you will be developing key employable verbal and written communication skills and policy evaluation knowledge while critically analysing highly contemporary topics in UK politics such as;

• House of Lords Reform
• Devolution
• Equality of Representation
• The Parliamentary Policy Making process
• The changing role of MPs
• The role of select committees
• Parliamentary Sovereignty
• Careers in Parliament and the Civil Service
• Lobbying

Assessment Proportions

Assessment for learning is built into the module through the select committee evidence submission exercise which bring together the emphasis on realistic policymaking, understanding of Parliamentary processes and critical reflection on Parliament as an institution.

• 100% mock select committee evidence submission, ~3150-3500 words