Why study Politics at Chester?
At Chester we look behind the rapidly changing media headlines in order to address often pressing and long-term issues. For example, we ask whether there can ever be a fair distribution of resources; why countries go to war; what were the underlying causes of the riots in 2011, or why politicians are so distrusted. Above all, we are all fascinated by Politics, and this can lead to lively discussions in a friendly environment.
The teaching team brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the subject. Guest lecturers, from within the University and from the political arena, provide specialist sessions and we also offer visits to political institutions, such as to Parliament, and to take part in a mock Council debate. There is a strong emphasis on developing employability skills, such as debating, and encouragement to undertake relevant volunteering or work-shadowing.
Features:
- Innovative assessments
- Emphasis on employability skills
- Active extra-curricular activities: guest speakers, debates and visits
- Friendly and experienced teaching team
We are based in a well-equipped and central main campus building, which has a lecture theatre, seminar rooms and open spaces to meet friends. All our offices are close by, and so you will see us around even when we are not teaching you.
Our teaching is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, guest and specialist lecturers, independent learning and research, practical work-based projects, group work, and via e-learning on our intranet. We make our teaching as interactive and as fun as possible, while always emphasising the learning process.
The teaching team is very accessible and we know all our students. In addition, all students have a personal academic tutor who provides advice and guidance across the whole programme of study.
‘Everyone has been really nice and friendly and helpful'’. Stacey Rigby, Year 2, Combined Law and Politics
‘Best course of study I have ever done’. Charlie Lynch, Year 2, Single Honours Politics
‘Politics is the bee’s knees'. Nick Byard, Year 1, Combined History and Politics
‘Very interesting and thought-provoking’. Beckie Hopper, Year 1, Combined History with Politics
‘Wide range of topics covered with very lively debates’. Alice Graham, Year 1, Single Honours Politics
Modules
In Year 1 (Level 4) you will be introduced to the core themes of the degree. The module Introduction to British Politics will provide you with a broad understanding of the UK political system and its processes; Theories of Politics introduces you to different ways of thinking about Politics; and Comparative Politics looks at the differences and similarities between political systems. You will also take Welfare Politics and International Political Sociology, and also one of the following: Self and Society; Deviance Crime and Society; Media, Representation and Society; or Introduction to European Studies.
In Year 2 (Level 5) our focus will be on developing your knowledge and understanding of politics via three core modules: Politics and Policies, which investigates policy-making from an initial idea through to legislation; Global Politics and International Relations, with its aim of introducing you to problems surrounding cooperation and conflict in the international realm; and The Individual and the State, a module that engages with major theoretical debates that underpin the study of Politics. You also take Research Methods and Conference or State Power, Liberties and Rights or European Politics and Culture. You will also do a five-week work-based placement, giving you valuable hands-on experience through Work Based Learning, or conduct your own research into an area of political activity with Researching Politics.
In Year 3 (Level 6), you take more specialist topics. Modules include Security and Insecurity in World Affairs, a critical investigation into threat and international order; Politics of Sustainability which investigates the issues underlying the sustainability and green agendas and Political Communication, looking at political marketing, branding and representation. Modules will also include Social Change and Social Movements, Globalisation in Question, and Con_txts of Communication. The double Dissertation module is an individual piece of research where you can choose your own topic of interest.
Assessment is varied, and includes essays, exams, multiples choice, media briefings, reports, presentations, and independent research projects (among many other methods). We reshape the teaching and learning on the programme as part of our dialogue with our students.
The programme is not just about the formalised teaching and assessments. All tutors either have office hours or an open door policy. They will all be happy to respond to emails in order to arrange one to one meetings. There are also extra-curricular activities including a lecture series and opportunities for formal debating. We have an annual departmental conference, which gives you the opportunity to listen to top academics talking about their research. The Politics programme also has a close working relationship with our subject librarian and with colleagues in study skills, as well as with Careers and Employability. This means that you get support tailored to the needs of Politics students. We take pride in the support which we provide and in the variety of activities on offer.
Our Politics degree has employability skills built in at each level. Several of the teaching team have worked within the political sphere, and bring that experience to the classroom.
The programme opens up a wide range of options, either directly related to your degree (such as working for the civil service or a think tank), or jobs where having your degree may be an advantage – including working for non-governmental organisations, doing charity work, or working in commercial, industrial, public sector, communication civil service or journalism-related posts. A Politics degree would be a good grounding for any role. Many University of Chester graduates also go on to further study, taking up a Masters or PhD.
