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PL10505: Key concepts in politics

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2012/3
Follow this link for further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Follow this link for further information on credits Credits: 6
Follow this link for further information on unit levels Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Follow this link for further information on period slots Period: Semester 1
Follow this link for further information on unit assessment Assessment: ES 50%, EX 50%
Follow this link for further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Follow this link for further information on unit rules Requisites:
Follow this link for further information on unit content Description: Aims:
This unit seeks to:
* provide students with an introduction to essential concepts in the study, understanding and analysis of politics;
* inform students about the nature and role of political institutions, agents, and ideas at national, regional and international levels;
* introduce students to key debates in contemporary political thought;
* illustrate the importance of moving beyond simple description, and engaging in critical debates about these issues.

Learning Outcomes:
Students who complete the unit successfully will be able to demonstrate in seminars, essays and exams that they:
* have acquired knowledge of the key concepts in the study, understanding, and analysis of politics;
* are aware of major academic and political debates about the nature of contemporary political processes at national and international levels;
* can apply this knowledge and awareness to contemporary political issues.

Skills:
Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are taught and assessed in this unit. Skills in effective learning are developed in this unit.

Content:
Approaches to the study of politics; power, the state, sovereignty and citizenship; political ideas and ideologies; democratic and non-democratic political systems; political culture; political change and revolution; nationalism and ethnic politics; the globalisation of politics.
Follow this link for further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PL10505 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Economics
  • UHES-AFB01 : BSc (hons) Economics and Politics (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UHES-AKB01 : BSc (hons) Economics and Politics (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1
Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AYB13 : BA (hons) French and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 1
  • UHPL-AYB12 : BA (hons) German and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 1
  • UHPL-AYB16 : BA (hons) Italian (ab initio) and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 1
  • UHPL-AYB14 : BA (hons) Italian and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 1
  • UHPL-AYB15 : BA (hons) Russian (ab initio) and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 1
  • UHPL-AYB17 : BA (hons) Spanish and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 1
  • UHPL-AAB10 : BSc (hons) Politics with Economics (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 1
  • UHPL-AFB10 : BSc (hons) Politics with Economics (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UHPL-AKB10 : BSc (hons) Politics with Economics (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1
  • UHPL-AAB29 : BSc (hons) Politics with International Relations (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 1
  • UHPL-AFB29 : BSc (hons) Politics with International Relations (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UHPL-AKB29 : BSc (hons) Politics with International Relations (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1

PL10505 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Economics
  • UHES-AFB03 : BSc (hons) Economics (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UHES-AKB03 : BSc (hons) Economics (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1
Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB16 : BSc (hons) Social Policy (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UHSP-AKB16 : BSc (hons) Social Policy (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1
  • UHSP-AFB05 : BSc (hons) Social Sciences (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UHSP-AKB05 : BSc (hons) Social Sciences (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1
  • UHSP-AFB04 : BSc (hons) Sociology (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UHSP-AKB04 : BSc (hons) Sociology (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1
  • UHSP-AFB10 : BSc (hons) Sociology and Social Policy (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UHSP-AKB10 : BSc (hons) Sociology and Social Policy (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2012/13 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2013/14 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2012/13.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.