Introductory description

The aim of this core foundation module is for students to evaluate the nature and study of politics as a reflexive activity and to develop understanding of relevant political theories and global political issues. It provides foundation level knowledge and critical analysis of issues and ideas that political scholars have developed in a range of relevant contexts.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The following is an indicative list of topics. Each college within the partnership has autonomy as to how this is interpreted across Year 1 and Year 2:
-An overview of modern political philosophy from Hobbes. Drawing on the figures introduced during year 1, a more complete perspective will be compiled with some historical detail provided. The core issue of views of human nature. Why study political ideas?
-Hobbes and Locke: the backdrop of the English civil war. The state of nature as defined by each, natural rights and the social contract. The notion of government by consent and the right to rebel.
-How far can the coalition be seen as government by consent?
-Paine and Jefferson et al: the American revolution and the right to rebel. The causes of the revolution and its impact on political ideas notably limited government ( and early liberalism).
-Why is Paine celebrated in the USA and largely forgotten in Britain?
-Paine and Burke: the impact of the French revolution on ideas. The challenge to monarchy and notions of republicanism. The contribution of Burke to early conservative thinking and Paine’s to liberalism.
-How far did Burke’s ideas predominate after the ‘debate’ with Paine?
-Formative essay title released: key essay writing skills reviewed.
-Owen and Fourier: utopian socialism as a response to the industrial revolution.
-The impact of capitalism on ideas; Smith and the ‘invisible hand’ contrasted to Marx’s promotion of revolutionary socialism.
-Why did Marx argue that capitalism would ultimately collapse?
-Revisionist socialism and the ‘gradualist’ path. Bernstein, the Fabians and the rise of ‘democratic socialism’. Neo-revisionism and the ‘third way’?
-How far do socialist ideas play a part in current political debate in the UK?
-Formative essay title and guidance.
-Mill: the development of ‘classical’ liberalism. The harm principle and the rejection of the growing state. The progression to ‘modern’ liberalism: Green, Beveridge.
-How far should the state intervene in the life of the individual?
-Has the welfare state a future?
-The development of conservative ideas: Burke, Disraeli, Oakeshott, Thatcher
-One Nation v neo conservatism: the ‘free market’ and the strong state.
-Is One nation conservatism dead? 
-Neo-liberalism: the Thatcher-Reagan consensus and the rejection of Keynesianism. The changed role of the state and the process of privatisation.
-The welfare state debate. The ‘crash’ of 2007/8.
-Is neo-liberalism now the dominant ideology
-How far should the state’s remit extend?
-An overview of world politics. The various strands in an analysis of the subject.
-The concepts, issues and structure of the international political system. An appreciation of the historical development of international relations. A brief introduction to key institutions. What are the key features of the global political system?
-Theories of international relations: an overview ranging from realism to globalisation
-Are such theories/ paradigms useful?
-Summative essay title and guidance.
-Realism and political realism and the security imperative. Its long term dominance. The ‘realpolitik’ of the past(and present?) Machiavelli/Bismarck/Morgenthau. Hobbes and the idea of ‘international anarchy’. State egoism and the balance of power. Nationalism and realism. Identify clear examples where in your opinion states have in recent times acted purely in their own self-interests
-Imperialism and Post-Colonialism; European empires and US ‘hegemony’. 
-The cold war era, bi-polarity and the ‘end of history’ ( Fukuyama).
-Is it accurate to describe the current international situation as one of US ‘hegemony’?
-Liberalism and Neo-liberalism: states’ competition and ‘natural’ equilibrium.
-International bodies: co-operation and peace rather than conflict.
-Investigate the United Nations and its effectiveness.

• A Marxist perspective of world politics: capitalism and its domination of world politics. Neo-liberal economics and the ‘crash’ of 07/8: ‘the crisis of capitalism’?
  -Is it fair to describe the World Bank, WTO and IMF as promoting free-market capitalism?
  -Regionalism: the spread of regional groupings of states and their different dimensions eg. Economic, security etc. The EU: the most important example of this process?
  -Is the EU a ‘superstate’ in the making?
  -Globalisation 1: definitions of the term and its different facets.
  -How far is globalisation essentially economics driven?
  -Globalisation 2: the impact on the state.
  -Is the sovereignty of the state obsolete?
  -The emerging states and the issue of development: the BRICS and the G20
  -China’s imminent arrival as the world’s leading state
  -Assess China’s credentials to be seen as such
  -The ‘decline’ of the USA and comparisons with the past
  -Factors explaining this relative decline. Successes and failures of US foreign policy
  -Assess the case for arguing that the USA is still the dominant global power.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Apply their knowledge of major political perspectives and traditions critically to contemporary sociological contexts, drawing on appropriate studies and research evidence.
• Have further developed transferable skills such as analytical thinking, self-management, study skills, interpersonal skills and written and oral communication skills.
• Understand the key features of politics as a distinctive and critical subject and analyse how these are applied by a leading sociological practitioner.
• Develop understanding and critical awareness of a range of major classical and contemporary political perspectives and traditions, and the social contexts in which they emerged.

Indicative reading list

Baylis, J. et. al. (2017) The globalization of world politics: an introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 7th edition
Brown, G. W. et.al. (2018) The concise Oxford dictionary of politics and international relations. Oxford: Oxford University Press
Crouch, C. (2019) The globalization backlash. Cambridge, MA: Polity
Edkins, J. and Zehfuss, M. (2014) Global Politics: A New Introduction. Oxon: Routledge, 2nd edition
Gamble, A. (2019) Politics: Why it matters. Cambridge, MA: Polity
Garner, R. et. al. (2016) Introduction to Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press
Goodwin, B. (2014) Using Political Ideas. Chichester: Wiley, 6th edition
Heywood, A. (2017) Essentials of UK politics, 4th edition. London: Macmillan
Heywood, A. (2015) Key concepts in politics and international relations. London: Macmillan
Heywood, A. (2017) Political ideologies: an introduction. London: Macmillan
Heywood, A. (2015) Political theory: an introduction. London: Macmillan
Hoffman, J, and Graham, P. (2015) Introduction to political theory. Oxon: Routledge
Lowndes, V. et. al. (2018) Theory and methods in political science, 4th edition. London: Macmillan
Vanden, H. E. et. al. (2017) The new global politics, Oxon: Routledge
Watson, M. (2018) The market. Newcastle-upon-Tyne: Agenda

International

The module enables learners to develop knowledge of global political issues and relevant theories.

Subject specific skills

Understand the key features of politics as a distinctive and critical subject.
Develop understanding and critical awareness of a range of major classical and contemporary political perspectives and traditions, and the social contexts in which they emerged.
Apply knowledge of major political perspectives and traditions critically to contemporary sociological contexts, drawing on appropriate studies and research evidence.

Transferable skills

Analytical thinking, self-management, study skills, interpersonal skills and written and oral communication skills.