Undergraduate study
Politics is committed to a broad range of undergraduate degree programmes serving a diverse mix of students, and to providing the range of courses that offers students significant choice. Our provision is arranged around our three themes, comparative politics, international politics and political theory, and structured to develop independent research skills. Elements of each theme are introduced at level 1, developed at level 2 and subject to more specialist interrogation at level 3. Our commitment to a range of methodological approaches crosscuts our substantive themes, and informs the development of individual research skills.
In designing and reviewing courses and programmes, we set out to provide students with opportunities to follow a range of pathways while ensuring coverage of foundational ideas and approaches. The scale and scope of our specialist staff allows a particularly broad range of research-informed material to be presented by experts in the field. While the precise pattern of courses changes from year to year, the overall balance always provides variety and choice across both themes and approaches.
In delivering and monitoring our courses and programmes, we seek to utilise a variety of appropriate teaching and assessment methods and resources, and to develop clear and supportive communication with all of our undergraduate students. We provide feedback to students on their progress, and seek feedback and suggestions from students to help us to improve. Graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) help to deliver small group teaching at level 1 and level 2 and we ensure that all GTAs are trained, supported and monitored to underpin the quality of provision.