This module will introduce students to a range of theories, ideas and processes related to international trade from several perspectives: economic, historical, political and international. Students are shown how international trade and commercial relationships impact, alter and create political and social connections. Student learn how political, social and cultural institutions play a large role in facilitating these arrangements, and how relationships develop and change over time. The exercise of power in international relationships, ad its impact on trade and through the form of economic diplomacy is explored through the module.

The content will include topics such as:

• The origins of international trade
• The creation and role of the World Trade Organisation and other international organisations
• Barriers to trade (tariffs and quotas, political)
• International Trade Agreements and disagreements
• Regional integration areas
• The role of currencies and exchange rates
• Globalisation and finance
• Global crisis and their effects on trade
• Economic diplomacy and trade
• Economic destabilisation and trade
• Changing power in international trade: The rise of China, India, Brazil
• Effects of and constraints of international trade on development and environment

The aims of the module are to:

• Enable student appreciation of the role and relevance of international trade and international politics and their relationship to one another.
• Facilitate student understanding of the economic rationale behind the existence of international trade.
• Ensure student appreciation of the complexity of commercial relationships and their inter-relationship with political systems and with power in the international arena.
• Facilitate an appreciation of the changing nature of international trade over time and in terms of institutions, instruments, agreements and countries' roles.
• Enable application of theory to practice.

This module provides students with an in-depth understanding of contemporary geopolitics, critical political ideologies, and influential leaders from a global perspective. Designed to broaden students’ knowledge of international relations and political thought beyond Western-centric paradigms, it equips them with the analytical tools and critical thinking skills needed to engage with the complex dynamics of current global affairs.

Through this course, students will explore key geopolitical theories, foundational concepts, and historical legacies, including the impact of colonialism and the Cold War. They will examine power centres and regional dynamics across various regions—such as the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America—and gain insights into security, economic, environmental, technological, and humanitarian dimensions of geopolitics. Additionally, the module presents alternative perspectives on international relations by examining non-Western political leaders, ideologies, and movements that have shaped both regional and global politics.

The content will include:

• Introduction to Non-Western Political Thought: Overview of the module, defining key concepts, and the significance of studying non-Western political ideas.
• Alexander Dugin and Eurasianism and Multipolarity: Explore the political ideology of Alexander Dugin and its impact on Russian foreign policy; Eurasian geopolitics and Multipolarity.
• Hugo Chávez and Bolivarianism: Examine the political ideas of Hugo Chávez, the founder of Bolivarianism in Latin America, and their influence on regional politics.
• Seretse Khama and African Leadership: Study the life and leadership of Seretse Khama, the first President of Botswana, and his contributions to non-violent struggle, African independence and democracy.
• Xi Jinping and Chinese Political Thought: Analyse the political thought of Xi Jinping and its role in shaping China's domestic and international policies, multilateralism and the new global order.
• Regional Case Studies: Investigate additional non-Western political leaders and ideas from diverse regions, such as Latin America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

The Module aims are: 

• Foster a comprehensive understanding of Global Affairs and International Relations by exposing students to diverse political ideas, leaders, and ideologies from both Western and non-Western contexts, encouraging a nuanced perspective on global politics.
• Develop students' critical thinking and analytical skills as they examine the historical, cultural, and ideological contexts that shape contemporary geopolitics and international relations.
• Equip students with the theoretical knowledge and practical research skills necessary to assess the roles, strategies, and impacts of major state and non-state actors in global politics.
• Encourage students to engage in informed discussions, contrasting non-Western and Western political thought, to contribute thoughtfully to the discourse on global affairs and predict future geopolitical trends.

If you are on a Minor Weighting in History.

History at Work will introduce you to the ways in which History is employed in a range of professional contexts – schools, museums, and the media – and provide you with experience of applying History to those contexts. During the Module we will explore the professional frameworks, government legislation, professional bodies, and ethical codes which structure the application of History in these contexts. Along the way, we will meet with professional practitioners to discuss their role, career routes, and experiences of working in these contexts.

Our interactive Lectures will focus on the policy and regulatory frameworks, confronting crucial problems in the intersection between education, heritage, the media, and equality and diversity.

Your small group activities will focus on dissecting those policy and regulatory frameworks, helping you to devise your own, improved professional framework.

By the end of the Module, building on the knowledge and understanding you developed in History Wars of how definitions of history relate to contexts and audiences, you will have a foundation to become a public historian who is professionally informed and experienced, having produced a real world, authentic professional document. This will prepare you for Curious Chester, where you will work to an external brief to produce a professional public history resource and reflect on your professional experiences.

If you are on a Minor Weighting in History

On Rewriting History, you study an historical subject from a specific chronological and geographical setting. You will work with a members of staff to re-evaluate what historians have argued about those subjects, and to produce your own histories.

There will be a choice of subjects from which to select your preferences, which may include the following:
• The Vikings – A Local-Global Diaspora
• Witchcraze
• Fear City: Danger, Disorder, and Culture in the Modern Metropolis
• The Holocaust

During this module you will consider how historians have defined the subject, what they have argued about the causes and consequences of the subject, what evidence they have deployed to support their arguments, and how convincing you find their approaches and conclusions.

Along the way you will hone the skills you developed from Global Histories, History Wars, Pre-Modern Movements and Modern Spaces in analysing historical arguments, and constructing your own historical answers.

If you are on an Equal or Major Weighting in History.

On Challenging History, you will study an historical subject from a particular different chronological and geographical setting. You will work with a member of staff to re-evaluate what historians have argued about those subjects with a special focus on the primary sources, and you will develop your own analyses of those sources.

There will be a choice of subjects from which to select your preferences, which may include the following:
• The Age of the Black Death
• Europe in the Age of Reason and Absolutism, c. 1660 to c. 1780
• Seeking the Promised Land - Black America, 1865-1977
• Imperial Endings: Britain in the Colonial and Post-Colonial Age

During this module you will consider how historians have approached the subject and its sources, how they have used the evidence to support their arguments, and how convincing you find their analyses.

Along the way you will hone the skills you developed from Global Histories, History Wars, Pre-Modern Movements and Modern Spaces in using primary evidence and constructing your own historical answers.

By the end of the Module, you will be well on your way to becoming a historian who is chronologically aware, historiographically well-informed, and curious, and who is trained in the skills and methodologies of cutting-edge, independent research.

This module is designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge required to excel in research, practice, and professional life. Emphasising a transdisciplinary approach, experiential learning and practitioner tools and approaches, the module aims to enhance critical thinking, research abilities, and practical skills essential for careers in Global Affairs, International Relations and related fields. Students will engage with theoretical concepts, practical and practitioner-based tools and applications, and professional development, with an emphasis on current global challenges and trends, enabling them to become informed, effective, and adaptable professionals. 

Indicative content includes:

• In-depth analysis of contemporary global challenges, such as climate change, conflict resolution, humanitarian crises, and global health issues.
• Examination of current geopolitical trends and their implications for international relations.
• Case studies on the role of international organisations (e.g., UN, IMF, World Bank) and regional organisations in addressing global issues.
• Analysis of real-world policy documents, international agreements, indicators and schematics.
• Use of qualitative and quantitative tools and information eco-systems for research, practice and professional work.
• Communication skills for effective writing, public speaking, and international negotiations.
• Intercultural awareness and competency to navigate diverse international environments.
• Ethical decision-making and the importance of professional ethics

This module provides a structured, university-level work placement for 4, 5 or 7 weeks as one continuous block / period with a placement provider (i.e. industry apprioprate sector). It is designed to enhance your professional skills in a real-world job setting.

The placement can either be organised by you or with support from university staff.

All work placements within this module must be university-level; this means:

• Undertaking high-skilled work commensurate with level 5 study (e.g. report writing, attending meetings, delivering presentations, producing spreadsheets, writing content on webpages, social media, marketing services/products etc)
• Physically placed (albeit part of it can be hybrid) within an employer setting in one continuous block / period for 4, 5 or 7 weeks for a minimum of 140-147 hours over the course of the entire work placement

Where applicable, your existing part-time employer can be approached/used as the placement provider, if the high-skilled work.

• criterion above is fulfilled for the full duration of the placement.
• All quality assurances/agreements provided by the University are adhered to, by you and the employer.

The work placement context may not necessarily, reflect your degree discipline per se, but rather, it will give you an enriched experience to enhance your professional skills in a real-world job setting.

The Level 5, 40-credit modules require a basic foundation of knowledge of your chosen language e.g. GCSE or equivalent,  a Level 4 module in the same language or equivalent previous learning. This module includes an optional placement abroad, such as an intensive course at a partner university. You can choose:

• Advanced Language Development and Global Sustainability (choice of German, French or Spanish)
• Upper Intermediate Language Development and Global Employability (choice of Chinese, French or Spanish)
• Post Beginner Language Development and Global Cultures (choice of German, Italian or Spanish)