About This Course
Do you want to learn more about government and society and the workings of political systems? Are you interested in the way people, institutions, and ideas interact? This course considers important issues surrounding the influence of power, governance, sovereignty, conflict, order, mediation, obligation, justice, accountability, legitimacy, security, and decision-making. You will be introduced to interdisciplinary approaches to discussions of theoretical, philosophical, historical, institutional, and issue-based concerns revolving around contemporary politics.
This degree will allow you to understand the complex relationship between politics and society. The wide range of modules on offer analyse how political ideas and decisions shape our daily lives and impact our social and cultural experiences and identities. They also look at how those same ideas and systems are themselves influenced by some of the most significant issues that face the world today, including race, gender, the environment, the media, and poverty. If you are interested in the interaction between politics and people, and have a passion for social justice, then this is the course for you.
Our unique and dynamic degree scheme will offer you the opportunity to explore politics from a range of interdisciplinary perspectives including political science, sociology, social policy, philosophy, and history. Our interdisciplinary approach ensures that you understand the multifaceted nature of politics, ensuring you are able engage in contemporary political debates and examine key issues from a wide array of different perspectives.
As well as enabling you to develop a comprehensive understanding of how politics impacts the daily lives of individuals on a local, national, and global level, our degree also ensures that you will develop a wide array of transferable skills that are highly valued both in academia and by employers, such as analysis, evaluation, problem solving and effective communication. You will also have the opportunity to develop these skills in a vocational setting, with many of our students deciding to undertake work experience, with placements being available in a wide array of relevant fields including local government.
Why choose Bangor University for this course?
- Join a friendly, supportive, and stimulating learning community.
- The world of politics does not stand still – this fast-moving landscape is reflected in teaching informed by cutting-edge research.
- You will develop key skills and knowledge – learn to think critically and ‘politically’.
- Explore a range of issues, such as: the influence and management of the media; political power, legitimacy, and the state; social movements, civil society, and the public sphere.
Course Content
Each module will be taught primarily through a combination of lectures and seminars:
- Lectures will be led by a course tutor and will introduce you to the central themes and issues that are to be discussed throughout the module.
- Lectures will be accompanied by weekly seminars which provide students with the opportunity to express their ideas or debate topics in a small group setting.
- Modules also make use of Blackboard, the University’s online learning environment.
Throughout your degree you will be given the opportunity to complete different types of assessment, such as:
- Examinations
- Essays
- Case Studies
- Book Reviews
- Text Analysis
- Oral Presentations
- Pod Casts
- Poster Presentations
By completing such a diverse range of assessments, you will be given the opportunity to develop a wide array of different skills and writing styles that will be invaluable in your later careers.
Facilities
- There is an opportunity for students to take part in the School’s work experience programme and gain vocational experience of jobs linked to politics and government.
- The School runs trips to the Houses of Parliament and the Senedd.
- The School regularly runs talks and seminars that are led by political figures and leading scholars.
- The School has its own student common room with computer access.
- The School has its own journal where students can publish their work.
General University Facilities
Library and Archive Services
Our four libraries provide a range of attractive study environments including collaborative work areas, meeting rooms and silent study spaces.
We have an extensive collection of books and journals and many of the journals are available online in full-text format.
We house one of the largest university-based archives not only in Wales, but also the UK. Allied to the Archives is the Special Collections of rare printed books.
Learning Resources
There is a range of learning resources available, supported by experienced staff, to help you in your studies.
The University’s IT Services provides computing, media and reprographics facilities and services including:
- Over 1,150 computers for students, with some PC rooms open 24 hours a day
- Blackboard, a commercial Virtual Learning Environment, that makes learning materials available on-line.
Careers
Through studying Politics, you will develop a wide array of transferable skills that can be applied in both academic and vocational settings.
For instance, our degree encourages students to develop a range of skills such as problem solving, analysis and evaluation, communicating and presentation, time management, organisational and teamwork. These transferable skills are valued by a wide range of employers and can lead Politics graduates finding employment in a range of different fields such as:
- Local and National Government
- Civil Service
- Teaching and Education
- Academia
- Law and Legal services
- Business and Management
- Banking
- Prison Service
- Journalism
- Publishing
- Non-profit Agencies
- Media
Many students will go on to pursue postgraduate degrees leading to an MA or PhD.
EXPLORE MORE IN POLITICS
Studying Politics with us pulls together teaching and research expertise on important issues surrounding the influence of power, governance, sovereignty, conflict, order, mediation, obligation, justice, accountability, legitimacy, security, and decision-making.
Additional Course Options
This course is available with a Placement Year option where you will study for 1 additional year. The Placement Year is undertaken at the end of the second year and students are away for the whole of the academic year.
The Placement Year provides you with a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons and develop valuable skills and contacts through working with a self-sourced organisation relevant to your degree subject. The minimum period in placement (at one or more locations) is seven calendar months; more usually you would spend 10-12 months with a placement provider. You would normally start sometime in the period June to September of your second year and finish between June and September the following year. Placements can be UK-based or overseas and you will work with staff to plan and finalise the placement arrangements.
You will be expected to find and arrange a suitable placement to complement your degree and will be fully supported throughout by a dedicated member of staff at your academic School and the University’s Skills and Employability Services.
You will have the opportunity to fully consider this option when you have started your course at Bangor and can make an application for a transfer onto this pathway at the appropriate time. If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch.
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