LIVERPOOL HOPE UNIVERSITY POLITICS FACULTY OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES YOUR FUTURE STARTS WITH HOPE

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1 LIVERPOOL HOPE UNIVERSITY POLITICS FACULTY OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES YOUR FUTURE STARTS WITH HOPE

2 Politics Fact File Faculty: Arts and Humanities Department: Politics and History Campus Location: Hope Park Entry Requirements: The standard offer level is between UCAS points, including a minimum of two A/A2 Levels or equivalent. Duration: Three years Course Combinations: Politics & Accounting Politics & Childhood and Youth Politics & Christian Theology Politics & Creative Writing Politics & Criminology Politics & Early Childhood Politics & English Language Politics & English Literature Politics & Film and Visual Culture Politics & Geography Politics & History Politics & International Relations Politics & Law Politics & Music Politics & Sociology Politics & Special Educational Needs Politics & Tourism Politics & World Religions Degree: Combined Honours only You may also be interested in... Criminology History International Relations Law Politics Contact Details: Student Recruitment +44 (0) enquiry@hope.ac.uk UCAS code NL24 UCAS code LL92 UCAS code VL26 UCAS code C978 UCAS code LL2H UCAS code LX21 UCAS code LQ23 UCAS code QL3F UCAS code F667 UCAS code FL48 UCAS code LV21 UCAS code L290 UCAS code LM21 UCAS code WLH2 UCAS code LL64 UCAS code LX23 UCAS code LN82 UCAS code LV2P All Combined Honours result in a BA degree 2

3 Course Introduction Politics is a subject which encompasses a range of issues central to an understanding of contemporary society. Whether at a local, regional or national level, political decisions affect all citizens and are instrumental in shaping the future of the state and the destiny of the individual. At Hope we address a range of issues central to an understanding of the theory and practical application of politics. We consider local issues in Liverpool, the politics of the UK and the EU and consider broader theoretical concepts such as the historical evolution of democracy and how it is implemented in the world today. Politics is a very dynamic and ever-changing subject. At Hope, we actively encourage debate and discussion amongst our students, and aim to encourage a stronger awareness and appreciation of different points of view. But the study of politics does not just take place in the classroom and the library. We organise field trips to regional and national institutions, and on an annual basis undertake a fieldtrip overseas to visit international political bodies. Politics addresses the responsibilities of individuals and collective groups in society. It corresponds in several important ways with the University s distinctive mission and values. It considers issues of citizenship, community and individualism, and examines how society can evolve to enhance individual sovereignty. We promote and support active community engagement by our students. 3

4 What you will study Level C (Year One) You will study a lecture series entitled The Foundations of Politics. This will comprise three lectures per week, each lasting one hour, and will introduce you to the discipline and a range of its key theories. In addition to this you will take two seminars. These are entitled Political Institutions and Political Actors. They consider the core structural components of politics and how individuals and groups interact with these institutions. In addition you will participate in a weekly small group tutorial which considers skills and research methods in politics. Assessment methods include essays, exams and tutorial workbooks. Level I (Year Two) The lecture series in the second year considers democracy and its strengths and weaknesses as a political system. The curriculum builds on your learning in the first year and looks at the evolution and implementation of democracy from Athens to the present day. Two seminar series look at democracy in the United Kingdom, and the comparative study of European democracies. These strands of thought create an enhanced understanding of democracy as the most popular form of governance in the modern world, complete with significant variations in its understanding and practice. The small group tutorials consider a range of alternative ideologies to democracy and give alternative viewpoints about popular governance. Assessment methods involve essays, exams and extended projects. Level H (Year Three) In the final year a research project is undertaken on an agreed subject area. Thereafter the core lecture series looks at politics in the United States, considering the strengths and weaknesses of its system, and we consider the issues which are pivotal to an understanding of political oratory. We also look at British foriegn policy. Seminars serve to reinforce an understanding of this, with a focus on the US presidency and American politics and on the impact and effect of political oratory. This gives a contemporary understanding of a range of current political and economic dilemmas and allows primary research into a number of contentious areas. A tutorial series is designed to give support in research methods and to assist in the production of a high quality research project. Assessment methods include a research project, a two hour exam and essay coursework. Sample dissertation titles from recent times include Rendition, politics and anti-terror policies ; The effect of First Ladies upon the Presidential Office ; Tony Blair: the third way and the reformation of the Labour Party. 4

5 Employability and Career Opportunities A Politics graduate is equipped with a body of knowledge about public affairs and a very adaptable set of workplace skills that can equip you for a wide range of career options. Careers available for Politics graduates include working in the media, government, international organisations and policy work. Currently, there is an increase in demand for teachers with Politics skills as well. And, of course, many firms and companies look for the general skills that a Politics degree gives you such as conducting analysis, preparing reports, constructing arguments and making evaluative judgements. Many of our students move on to postgraduate Masters programmes and research degrees as well. At Hope we have opportunities in a range of MA courses. Two of the most popular and relevant are our MA in History and our MA in International Relations. We encourage and support our graduates to work in parliament in the field of communications, with the civil service at local and national level in the UK, with international organisations such as the European Union, with public sector agencies such as the NHS, and with non-governmental organisations like Oxfam and Amnesty International. Postgraduate courses offered by Liverpool Hope currently include: MA History MA International Relations MA Peace Studies 5

6 Why study this subject at Liverpool Hope? Politics helps you address the important questions of the day of right and wrong, of war and peace, of individuals and communities, of choice and freedom. At Hope we aim to assist you in being informed about the important events of the day and grasp the deeper meanings behind the headlines. Politics gives you a range of skills that you can use how to analyse problems, how to make judgements and how to negotiate compromises. At Hope we emphasise research skills to enhance an understanding of how to address political issues and come to conclusions about the causes and consequences of issues. We engage in issues at a practical level. Each year we go to Liverpool City Council meetings, have guest lecturers and speakers including our local MP Luciana Berger, visit Westminster and have an overseas trip which visits political institutions. Recent destinations have included Berlin, Brussels and Madrid. The tuition you receive at Hope is delivered by active researchers who publish and are engaged in research at the cutting edge of the discipline. Staff were entered in the Research Excellence Framework for 2014, highlighting our research and engagement with the discipline. Politics attracts a wide range of exchange students. In your classes you can expect to debate political issues with students from a wide range of countries, giving an international dimension to discussion and exposing both common understandings of political issues and divergent viewpoints across the international community. You will also have the opportunity to study abroad in one of our partner universities around the world. 6

7 Graduate Profiles Declan Tanner, BA History, MA International Relations I chose Hope because I found it welcoming and liked the wide range of courses. The lecturers were very supportive and were always available. I am currently studying an MA in International Relations at Hope, since I enjoy studying here. My future plans are to work abroad, and a degree from Liverpool Hope University will help me achieve this by giving me a good qualification. Mark McCullough BA History, MA International Relations I decided Hope was the place for me due to the warm welcome they offered, and most importantly the attractive nature of their courses. I completed my undergraduate degree in summer 2012, graduating with First Class honours. During my three years of study I enjoyed the Politics course and lecturers. I found Hope has an almost family environment, with highly approachable staff who are always eager to help in whatever way they can. I enjoyed the variety of subjects and the materials that they allow you to engage with. I am now studying an MA course at Hope, aiming for a career in either academia or teaching, and my studies at Hope have proved to be invaluable for realising these plans. 7

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9 Academic Staff Profiles Professor Christopher Williams, Head of Department Professor Christopher Williams holds the Chair in Modern History. He was awarded an Honorary Degree in Political Science by the Institute of Socio- Political Research, RAN and made a member of the Russian Academy of Political Science, Moscow in His areas of research expertise include Russian politics and foreign policy, Russia s relations to USA, China and EU and the Near Abroad. He is particularly interested in language and ethnic policy in post-soviet Russia and the way in which history and memory shapes the process of ethnic mobilisation. Dr Robert Busby, Senior Lecturer Dr Robert Busby is a Senior Lecturer in Politics and Subject Leader. His research is primarily in the field of American politics, political scandal and aspects of political communication. Dr Busby has published three research monographs, two on political scandal and one on comparative political marketing. His teaching spans Politics and International Relations at graduate and postgraduate levels. Dr Michael Holmes, Senior Lecturer Dr Michael Holmes is a Senior Lecturer in Politics and Deputy Director of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Centre for War and Peace Studies. Dr Holmes specialises in the study of the impact of European integration on political parties and party systems. He is also active in the study of Irish foreign policy and on Ireland and the European Union. He teaches seminars and lectures in Politics and International Relations. Dr Stefanie Kappler, Lecturer Dr Stefanie Kappler is a Lecturer in International Relations and Director of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Centre for War and Peace Studies. Her research interests include local and international peacebuilding, their associated spaces of agency and the role of culture therein. Dr Kappler is particularly interested in the contested and transformative nature of local imaginations of peace and has conducted fieldwork in Bosnia- Herzegovina, South Africa, Cyprus, Brussels and the Basque Country. 9

10 Dr Catalina Montoya, Lecturer Dr Catalina Montoya is Lecturer in International Relations. Her main research interest is in the field of political communication, including media-state relationships, communication, conflict and peace, journalism and international relations. She has published on the impact of event driven news in the projection of US foreign policy in Colombia, the use of media by civil society organizations to foster democracy and human rights in Colombia and Latin America and the relationships between political and media systems in Colombia. We also have a number of senior postgraduate students, pursuing PhD degrees, who provide tutorials to our students and share with them insights from their own emerging research. 10

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12 Liverpool Hope University Hope Park Liverpool L16 9JD t: e: If you require this document in another format please contact us. The University reserves the right to make variations to the content or methods of delivery of courses.