BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations Bachelor's degree at the University of Kent

Introduces the empirical study of key structures, institutions, processes, outcomes and behaviours in political systems. You'll become familiar with the content and shape of political life, and how academic scholars study it. Introduces data, methods and techniques for studying politics. You'll learn how to conduct basic political research and apply skills to empirical evidence.

Introduces debates regarding foundational issues in political theory such as what democracy should look like, whether an unequal society can be just, and when resistance to government is legitimate. Develops knowledge of foundational ideas and thinkers. Develops ability to critically reflect upon and construct arguments on political theory.

Develops skills and knowledge needed for succeeding in university studies. Learn about key historical influences upon contemporary political events such as the origin and development of the State, the beginning and end of Empire, and the nature of world order. Develop key skills for academic study and research.

Introduces answers given in International Relations to questions about state behaviour and its influence on world politics. Provides overview of key theories, concepts and debates in IR through discussion of topical issues in global politics, with particular focus on the role and status of states. Includes evaluation of IR theories including liberalism and realism against empirical material from contemporary international politics.

Examines significant political change in Britain and other western democracies. Considers how to understand the British political system in a period of change, focusing on reasons for political change, the nature of those changes and their implications for effective policy-making and democracy. Explores these issues in relation to citizens' place within the political system, territorial balance of power and operation of core institutions.

Introduces three crucial aspects of international relations: war, violence and peace and how they are inter-related. Covers conceptual distinctions between war and violence, how to define peace, and methods and skills needed to study these topics. Uses case studies and negotiation simulations. Provides knowledge of central theories and concepts and initial skills in negotiation and mediation.

Critically interrogates how political actors construct language, the motives behind discursive constructions and the political realities and possibilities they create. Examines hidden meanings behind words and language and who is saying them, in what contexts and for what purposes. Teaches qualitative research methods and techniques such as interviews, focus groups, participant observation, and thematic and discourse analysis.

Examines institutions, norms, processes, actors, and consequences of global and regional governance. Addresses questions about the extent to which cooperation is possible and multilateral governance effective. Examines roles played by states, international organisations (such as the United Nations, regional groupings such as the European Union or ASEAN), and international NGOs. Specific areas may include security, human rights, environment, and regional integration.

Introduces principles of empirical social science research and foundational statistical techniques. Teaches how to sift through data, find insights within statistics and uncover stories behind numbers used in political science and international relations. Develops skills to confidently analyse data driving policy decisions and academic research. Enables students to dissect complex arguments and see bigger picture within numbers.

Explores the politics of the global climate crisis at international, national and local levels. Examines global climate change governance, national or local climate adaptation policy making and plans, individual attitudes and behaviour, and what motivates actors. Provides tools to explain the politics of the global climate crisis. Draws from debates in political science, international relations, human geography and urban studies.