Politics

This BA (Hons) Politics degree examines domestic and global politics, political theory and international relations. Students have the opportunity to explore the big political issues of the day in Britain and around the globe, and study the social and theoretical contexts which underpin these developments. Politics students at Lincoln have the opportunity to develop analytical, evaluative and critical-thinking skills and to learn how to collect and analyse data, draft policy proposals, present arguments thoughtfully and debate points of contention with peers. Academics in the School of Social & Political Sciences have a diverse range of expertise and aim to provide a thorough grounding in British and global politics.

In the first year of the degree, students are introduced to the institutions and structures of power in Britain and have the opportunity to explore the relationships between nations and their historical contexts in international politics. Students are encouraged to develop an understanding of key concepts in social and political sciences and are expected to gain a strong foundation in research methods. In the second year students consider the core ideas underpinning politics and closely related disciplines, such as international relations, and begin to apply these to the study of politics in a range of settings including the USA, the EU, the Middle East, and Asia. Students can broaden their skill set and develop a portfolio of transferable skills. The final year focuses on the development of alternative approaches to politics, as well as in-depth analysis of the traditional levers of power through modules like Parliamentary Studies, which is co-taught with the Houses of Parliament. By the end of their degree students should have a deep and broad understanding of politics as a discipline, a concept and an activity. For the most up to date module information, please visit the course page for this programme on our website. Some programmes provide you with the opportunity to focus your study in a particular area through optional modules. Timetabling arrangements may limit the availability of some optional modules to some students. As the options often reflect staff research interests, they may alter over time due to staff availability.

The way students will be assessed on this course will vary for each module. It could include coursework, such as a dissertation or essay, written and practical exams, portfolio development, group work or presentations to name some examples. Throughout this degree, students may receive tuition from professors, senior lecturers, lecturers, researchers, practitioners, visiting experts or technicians, and they may be supported in their learning by other students.