Politics & International Relations, BA

Course summary

Our BA Politics and International Relations course looks at how countries are governed and decisions are made, what shapes foreign policies, and how national and international political events impact people locally. Coventry University offers you an exciting and innovative Politics and International Relations degree. You will learn about national and international affairs in depth by:

• Having the opportunity to study a range of modules on African, American, European, Middle Eastern politics, and (South) East Asian Politics.

• Gaining a deeper understanding of the rationale and value of peaceful and cooperative relations between nations and people.

• Learning how the world is becoming increasingly more connected and how this impacts on governments and their agencies, multinational companies, international organizations, non-governmental organisations, and you.

• Academic staff who are actively engaged in high-quality research that informs their teaching and who are qualified lecturers with members of staff being fellows and senior fellows of AdvanceHE (staff subject to change).

• Multidisciplinary teaching with experts from national and international politics, history, global security and social theory.

• An intellectually stimulating course that encourages you to sharpen your analytical skills and engage with issues of vital concern for today’s world.

• The opportunity to focus on specific themes such as North American, European, East Asian, and Middle Eastern politics, social movements or global security as you progress through your course.

• The opportunity to develop advanced professional skills such as the ability to think independently and creatively, to advance sophisticated arguments and to communicate ideas confidently as enquired by potential employers.

This course has a common first year The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn. If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements). Common first year courses History BA (Hons) History and Politics BA (Hons) International Relations BA (Hons) Politics BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations BA (Hons) Year One Modules Themes and Concepts in History, Politics and International Relations Nations and Nationalism Global Histories World Politics since 1945 Politics in Action Ideas, Ideologies and the State Year Two In year two, you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with: global security, foreign policy, and modern British politics, amongst others. Year Two Modules Contemporary Global Security Foreign Policy Analysis Ethics and International Relations The Far Right in Contemporary Europe Global Experiences of Liberal Democracy British Politics since 1997  Placement Year There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement* can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future. If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee* of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement. Final Year Year three aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from Year one and two. You could also work on a large final project in an area of your interest, with the support of a mentor and your Academic Personal Tutor. You will be asked to choose optional modules to total 120 credits in your final year We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated. Before accepting any offers, please check the website for the most up to date course content. For full module details please check the course page on the Coventry University website. *For further information please check the course page on the Coventry University website