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Study information

Futures of Politics

Module titleFutures of Politics
Module codePOL3101
Academic year2024/5
Credits15
Module staff

Dr Owen Thomas (Lecturer)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

11

Number students taking module (anticipated)

125

Module description

How is the discipline of Politics contributing to new ways of transforming the world? What impact can it have in responding to political, ideological, environmental, racial, technological or societal challenges of the twenty-first century? What are practical and ethical challenges that are faced when seeking to conduct research in difficult topics or places, and communicating with different audiences?

 

This team-taught module will spotlight staff expertise and diverse research methods, serving as a concurrent support for the dissertation module and employability. You will be introduced to some of the most pressing issues in Political Science and Political Theory, based on the cutting-edge research of academic staff. The content of the module will vary year to year, reflecting the expertise of the teaching team, but may involve experiential learning (e.g. simulations) and opportunities to interact with alumni and external speakers, gaining valuable insights into real-world applications of political theories.

Module aims - intentions of the module

  • To explore the contributions of current research in the discipline of Politics to global issues and its impact on diverse challenges in the 21st century.
  • To investigate the practical and ethical challenges inherent in conducting research on complex political issues and communicating findings to diverse audiences.
  • To enhance your skills in critical analysis, effective communication, and collaborative engagement, in preparation for the final year dissertation project.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. Demonstrate an understanding and critical evaluation of contemporary research areas and debates in the discipline of Politics (inc. Comparative Politics, Political Science, Political Theory, and Public Policy) integrating knowledge and skills acquired throughout the degree program.
  • 2. Critically engage with challenges inherent in conducting research in controversial or difficult areas, demonstrating an understanding of ethical considerations and methodological approaches.
  • 3. Effectively apply and evaluate diverse strategies for communicating research to various audiences, demonstrating proficiency in translating complex ideas into accessible and engaging formats.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 4. Identify, apply, and critically examine both primary and secondary data sources relevant to political research, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of data collection and analysis techniques.
  • 5. Apply theoretical approaches to real-life examples, demonstrating the ability to connect theoretical frameworks with empirical cases and analyse political phenomena in depth.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 6. Present a clear, coherent, and critically informed analysis of a given political issue, showcasing effective communication skills and the ability to articulate complex ideas persuasively.
  • 7. Collaborate with peers in a constructive manner, actively participating in discussions to evaluate theoretical approaches and empirical cases. Engage in peer-evaluation and provide constructive feedback, fostering a collaborative and intellectually stimulating learning environment.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

  • Algorithmic Governance and Artificial Intelligence
  • Global Governance and International Institutions
  • Populism and Political Movements
  • Cybersecurity and Political Stability
  • Climate Change and Political Conflict
  • Political Behaviour in the Digital Age
  • Post-truth Politics and Disinformation
  • Political Economy of Technology
  • Migration and Political Dynamics
  • Nationalism and Identity Politics
  • Health Policy and Governance
  • Guest talks from alumni/external speakers on contemporary issues

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
221280

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching2211x2 hour workshops
Guided Independent Study66Reading and preparation for workshops
Guided Independent Study62Research and writing of portfolio

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Portfolio plan for peer review500 words1-7Written

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Portfolio1003,000 words (2 x 1,500 word pieces)1-7Written

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Portfolio (3,000 words, 2 x 1,500 word pieces)Portfolio (3,000 words, 2 x 1,500 word pieces)1-7Referral/Deferral period

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Reading for the module will vary year to year, depending on the expertise of the teaching team. Broad introductions to the module aims include:

  • Bannister, Jon, and Irene Hardill, eds. Knowledge Mobilisation and Social Sciences: Research Impact and Engagement. Routledge, 2016.
  • Knott, Eleanor. "Beyond the field: ethics after fieldwork in politically dynamic contexts." Perspectives on Politics 17, no. 1 (2019): 140-153.
  • Norris, Pippa. "What maximizes productivity and impact in political science research?." European Political Science 20 (2021): 34-57.
  • Zimmer, Michael, and Katharina Kinder-Kurlanda. Internet research ethics for the social age: New challenges, cases, and contexts. Peter Lang International Academic Publishers, 2017.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

  • ELE – Faculty to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages

Key words search

Political Science, Political Theory, Comparative Politics, Public Policy, Electoral Politics, Research, Dissertation

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

None

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

6

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

06/02/2024

Last revision date

06/02/2024