The University for business and the professions and Sociology Undergraduate courses in International Politics
Detailed course and module descriptions UCAS CODE: L240 ENTRY REQUIREMENT: AAB 2012-13 FEES UK/EU FEES: 9,000 INTERNATIONAL FEES: 9,500* The degree in International Politics at City is significantly different from the traditional International Relations degrees in the following ways: we focus on contemporary global issues; you study international organisations as policymaking structures in each year of the degree; we cover not just the diplomatic relations between governments, but also the economic, social and political relations between societies undertaken by companies and private groups; you will engage in theoretical debate about how we can understand global politics in today s world. International Politics does not just mean knowing about other countries, but studying politics at the level of the global system, which influences all governments and all societies. The skills of International Politics graduates are of direct relevance to all those who need to know how their organisations fit into the world as a whole. This includes not just governments and intergovernmental organisations such as the United Nations, but also international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and multi-national companies. UCAS Code: L240 Entry Requirement: AAB Page: 1 Course descriptions Page: 1 Module descriptions Page: 3 Study format Page: 6 Reading list Page: 7 Career paths Page: 8 Academic profiles Page: 10 Application procedures Page: 12 Why choose City University London Page: 14 BSc International Politics and Sociology UCAS Code: LL23 Entry Requirement: AAB Page: 2 YEAR 1 Actors in global politics Contemporary issues in global politics 20th and 21st century (see p4 for more detail) Theories of global politics. Elective modules: Contemporary issues in media studies History and theory of psychology Introduction to microeconomics and macroeconomics Introduction to sociology Media, history and politics Understanding the modern world. YEAR 2 Change and transformation in global politics (see p5 for more detail) Theories and research in global politics (see p4 for more detail). International Politics elective modules: Global conflict and security International political economy Political change in Europe Religion in global politics Transnational, social movements. Sociology elective modules: Identities and personal relationships Interpreting news and documentary New media challenges Race and ethnicity in Britain Television and sport Understanding social change. YEAR 3 Global Governance (see p5 for more detail) International politics project (see p5 for more detail). International Politics elective modules: American foreign policy International politics of the Middle East The global politics of development Political displacement. Sociology elective modules: Gender and society Global migration process Media, conflict and terrorism Social movements and political action Sociology of human rights Sociology of the margins Transnational communication in Europe. *International fees listed are for 2011/12. Fees for 2012/13 will be listed on our website in due course. City University London Undergraduate Courses in International Politics page 1
Detailed course and module descriptions (cont.) BSc International Politics and Sociology This joint degree combines the main core modules from both Sociology and International Politics. UCAS CODE: LL23 ENTRY REQUIREMENT: AAB 2012-13 FEES UK/EU FEES: 9,000 INTERNATIONAL FEES: 9,500* International Politics at City includes not just intergovernmental relations, but also inter-society relations of non-governmental organisations (such as the Red Cross and Amnesty International) and transnational corporations (such as Ford, Shell and Microsoft) in its work. You will gain a unique approach to each subject and a broad understanding of local, national and global social relations. As with the single honours degree in International Politics, the joint degree is of direct relevance to all those who need to know how their organisations fit into the world as a whole and the role of social forces in governing them. Module descriptions Please note module availability may change slightly from year to year. YEAR 1 Actors in global politics (see p3 for more detail) Introduction to sociology (see p3 for more detail) Theories of global politics (see p3 for more detail) Understanding the modern world (see p3 for more detail). YEAR 2 Sociological research methods (see p4 for more detail) Theories and research in global politics (see p4 for more detail). International Politics elective modules: Change and transformation in global politics Global conflict and security International political economy Political change in Europe Religion in global politics Transnational social movements. Sociology elective modules: Identities and personal relationships Interpreting news and documentary New media challenges Race and ethnicity in Britain Television and sport Understanding social change. YEAR 3 International politics project (see p5 for more detail). International Politics elective modules: American foreign policy Global Governance International politics of the Middle East Political displacement The global politics of development. Sociology elective modules: Gender and society Global migration processes Media, conflict and terrorism Social movements and political action Sociology of human rights Sociology of margins Transnational communication in Europe. Core First Year Modules for both degrees THEORIES OF GLOBAL POLITICS This module raises the theoretical questions that underpin understanding and analysis of international politics. The first part of this module establishes a basic understanding of what politics is and how it is studied, and sets up the debates surrounding the political concepts of power, freedom, democracy, justice, gender, and the State. ACTORS IN GLOBAL POLITICS The aim of this module is to introduce you to a range of actors that can be found in global politics such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation and non-governmental organisations that will form the basis of your conceptual and empirical study of international politics. At the basis of this course are questions as to what constitutes a political actor, how power is organised, and what agency is within international politics. Core First Year Modules and Sociology INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY This module provides a broad introduction to some of the main areas of research and debate in contemporary sociology. It does not presuppose any previous knowledge of sociology. UNDERSTANDING THE MODERN WORLD This module explores social changes that have occurred in the period known as Modernity through the lenses of social institutions (family, religion, the market) and social cleavages (gender, class, ethnicity etc). *International fees listed are for 2011/12. Fees for 2012/13 will be listed on our website in due course. City University London Undergraduate Courses in International Politics page 2 City University London Undergraduate Courses in International Politics page 3
Module descriptions (cont.) TOP TIP View the staff as your friends because in our department we are lucky to have many kind and generous people that are open to suggestions. Former International Politics undergraduate student Core First Year Module for CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN GLOBAL POLITICS 20TH AND 21ST CENTURY These modules introduce you to major developments in international politics during the 20th and 21st century. It begins by providing an overview of approaches to studying historical developments in international politics. We then guide you through major 20th and 21st century developments, including the origins of two World Wars, the Cold War, decolonisation, conflict in the Middle East, and the evolution of globalisation. We will emphasise that each of these developments involve politics within countries, between countries and at the transnational level. In each case, a state-centric strategic analysis will be compared with analysis of a diversity of actors and issues. Core Second Year Module for both degrees THEORIES AND RESEARCH IN GLOBAL POLITICS This module looks at what theory is for in the study of global politics. It then reviews the contending theoretical approaches to global politics, exploring their assumptions and examining the ways in which they try to explain and understand international political life. You will also examine contemporary international normative theory and explore the metatheoretical arguments that have been had in International Relations paying particular attention to the question of how we might start to choose between these contending theories. Core Second Year Module and Sociology SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH METHODS This module provides a basic and practical introduction to the ways in which sociologists collect and analyse research evidence. It aims to enable you to critically appraise the reported results of social research; observe and enquire about the world around you more systematically; and select a method of research that you can use and take further in your third-year project. Core Second Year Module for CHANGE AND TRANSFORMATION IN GLOBAL POLITICS This module examines the issue of transformation in international politics. You will discuss the origins of the Westphalian system and the transformations in the state and global politics associated with capitalism, nationalism and revolution. You will explore two different forms of political authority empire and hegemony ending with the emergence of American hegemony after World War Two. You will then focus on contemporary processes of transformation in three areas: the global economy, identity and cosmopolitanism, encompassing the emergence of human rights, humanitarian intervention and cosmopolitan democracy. Core Third Year Module for both degrees A SUPERVISED PROJECT This module aims to expand your knowledge on subject-specific research methods in International Politics gained from your first and second years and to encourage methodological application and focus on your third year projects. Core Third Year Module for GLOBAL GOVERNANCE You will examine the problems and possibilities of governing issues and process in global politics. In the first term we map the emergence of international organisations and instruments (international regimes and international law) involved in governing global life, and theoretical debates of how we can explain and understand global governance. You will consider the relationship between processes of globalisation and regionalisation, as well as the function of global civil society in addressing the democratic and representation concerns of global governance. In the second term these issues are pursued through a series of case studies HIV/AIDS, corruption, internal displacement, and the Rwanda genocide which examine the origins, operations, practice, and effectiveness of attempts at global governance. City University London Undergraduate Courses in International Politics page 4 City University London Undergraduate Courses in International Politics page 5
Study format TOP TIP I would recommend new students to actively pursue part-time internships or part-time jobs alongside their degree as this stands you in better stead once you have graduated. Find out more now at city.ac.uk/intpol/ug Former International Politics undergraduate student Sample reading list HOW WILL I LEARN? We teach through a combination of lectures, interactive sessions, practical workshops and small group seminars, supported by a personal tutorial system. Lectures provide commentary on and explanation of key content areas. Small group seminars develop your understanding by inviting you to raise questions and participate in the debate and by providing guidance for further study. HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED? Assessment is by coursework (assessed essays and assignments), unseen examinations and your final year project. DURATION: Full-time three years. Provisional University term dates for 2012/13 Please note dates may be subject to change and some courses have different term dates. INDUCTION FOR NEW STUDENTS 17-21 SEPTEMBER 2012 AUTUMN TERM 24 SEPTEMBER-7 DECEMBER 2012 WINTER BREAK 10-28 DECEMBER 2012 (ASSESSMENT PERIOD) (7-18 JANUARY 2013) SPRING TERM 31 DECEMBER 2012-22 MARCH 2013 SPRING BREAK 25 MARCH-12 APRIL 2013 (ASSESSMENT PERIOD) (15 APRIL-10 MAY 2013) MINGST, K AND ARREGUIN-TOFT, I. ESSENTIALS OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. (5TH EDITION). EDKINS, J AND ZEHFUSS, M. GLOBAL POLITICS: A NEW INTRODUCTION. (EDS). FRIEDEN, J., LAKE, D AND SCHUTZ, K. WORLD POLITICS: INTERESTS, INTERACTIONS AND INSTITUTIONS HAY, COLIN. WHY WE HATE POLITICS You will be sent a full reading list before you join. Find out more now at city.ac.uk/ intpol/ug Phone +44 (0) 20 7040 8502 Email socsciug@ city.ac.uk City University London Undergraduate Courses in International Politics page 6 City University London Undergraduate Courses in International Politics page 7
Career paths 81.8 per cent of City International Politics graduates (2010) were in employment or further study within six months of completing their course. Recent employers include: Blackwood Group, Conservative Party, Department for Business, ESA Market Research, London Borough of Islington, Securemycontacts.com Examples of job titles 0f recent graduates: Manager, informal educator, company owner, market researcher, insolvency advisor, parliamentary campaigner, assistant headhunter As a graduate of these two International Politics courses you would be suited to a wide range of career options, from the civil service, NGOs, journalism, teaching to international law, international organisations and the corporate sector. City was an amazing place to study and grow and I am envious of people starting the course now with more choices and options than there were 3 years ago! Here s a sample of what some of our students are doing... Recent BSc graduate A recent BSc graduate is moving to Malawi in a few months to work for a farming company running their development strategy. She volunteered with them during her time at City and her research project was funded by them. She says her City tutors are the reason she got the placement. A recent BSc graduate went back to his home country, Palestine, after completing his studies. One month after arriving in Palestine he was hired as the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded, AMIDEAST implemented, Model Schools Network (MSN) Programme. One of our third year BSc students is currently an intern in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cyprus. City University London Undergraduate Courses in International Politics page 8 City University London Undergraduate Courses in International Politics page 9
Academic profiles See the full list of International Politics academic staff at city.ac.uk/intpol/ug DR SOPHIE HARMAN UNDERGRADUATE COURSE DIRECTOR DR DAVID WILLIAMS HEAD OF DEPARTMENT DR TOM DAVIES LECTURER DR GEMMA COLLANTES-CELADOR LECTURER Dr Sophie Harman, Undergraduate Course Director TOP TIP Keep apace of contemporary political developments by reading The Economist, Foreign Policy, Open Democracy and listening as much as possible to the BBC World Service or Radio 4 s The World Tonight at 10pm each week night. Dr Harman joined the department in September 2008. Prior to this she was a research fellow at the Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation (CSGR), University of Warwick as part of the joint CSGR-UNDP Governance of HIV/AIDS project. Dr Harman s principle areas of academic interest are Global Governance, the World Bank, HIV/AIDS, East Africa, and feminist political economy. She has published three books, The World Bank and HIV/AIDS: Setting a Global Agenda (2010), Governance of HIV/AIDS Response: Making Participation and Accountability Count (2009) and Global Health Governance (2011) and is currently working on two more: Governing the World? (with David Williams) and The New Political Economy of Global Health. Her current research focuses on conditional cash transfers as a means of governing individual behaviour and rationality. Dr Williams joined the department in 2006. Prior to this he was a lecturer in the Department of Politics and International Relations at Oxford University. His main research interests are in international development and global politics and liberal political theory. His most recent book is International Development and Global Politics: History, Theory and Practice. He has previously published The World Bank and Social Transformation in International Politics: Liberalism, Governance and Sovereignty. He is currently working on Governing the World? (with Sophie Harman) and a project on liberal thought and international politics. Dr Davies joined the department in September 2007. His main research interests are transnational non-governmental politics and the contemporary history of international relations. His DPhil research was awarded the 2006 British International History Group Thesis Prize and his first book, The Possibilities of Transnational Activism, was published in 2007. He is currently working on a variety of projects on the formation, evolution and representativeness of international non-governmental organizations. Prior to joining City University London, Dr Davies was a junior research fellow at St Antony s College, Oxford, and a lecturer at St Catherine s and New Colleges in the University of Oxford. Dr Collantes-Celador (MSc LSE, PhD Aberystwyth) joined the department in September 2008. She was previously a postdoctoral research fellow at the Barcelona Institute for International Studies (IBEI), Spain. Her main research interests lie in the field of post-conflict peacebuilding, institutional regionalism within externally-assisted security sector reform in failing and failed states, human security and the Western Balkans. She is preparing a monograph on the relationship between police reform and statebuilding processes in post-conflict scenarios. She has previously published in International Peacekeeping, Crime, Law and Social Change and Revista CIDOB d Afers Internationals and has participated in various edited volumes and projects with the Swedish National Defence College, Chr. Michelsen Institute, CIDOB Foundation, EuroMeSCo and the Human Security Study Group. Dr David Williams, Head of Department City University London Undergraduate Courses in International Politics page 10 City University London Undergraduate Courses in International Politics page 11
Find out more now at city.ac.uk/ intpol/ug Phone +44 (0) 20 7040 8502 Email socsciug@ city.ac.uk How to prepare for an International Politics degree at City University London... Application procedures ENTRY REQUIREMENTS A-Level grades: AAB 340 UCAS tariff points IB: 35 GCSE: Grade C or equivalent in English language and maths or statistics. ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS: Grade B in GCSE (or International GCSE) Cambridge ESOL CPE grade C or above IELTS 6.5 TOEFL (internet based): 100 105 TOEFL (computer based): 250 TOEFL (paper based): 600 HOW TO APPLY Applications to our undergraduate courses open on mid-september and close on the 15th January (30th June for international students). Late applications after this date will still be considered at our discretion. All applications to our undergraduate degree courses, including those from mature students, must be made through UCAS. You can apply through your school or college using the UCAS online system Apply which enables you to apply directly through the UCAS website (www.ucas.com). Independent applicants such as mature and international students can also use UCAS Apply. The institution code for City University is C60, the UCAS course codes are provided in the individual course descriptions within this brochure, as well as within the UCAS handbook and website. If you are still at school or college when you make an application, staff there should be able to assist with this process offering you help and advice. If you are outside the UK when you make an application your local British Council Office should be able to provide assistance. FOUNDATION PROGRAMMES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Foundation programmes offering guaranteed entry onto our International Politics degrees are offered by our partners at: City and Islington College INTO Kaplan International College For more information on these programmes, please see our website or contact our undergraduate admissions administrator: socsciug@city.ac.uk +44 (0) 207 040 8502 Dr David Williams, Head of Department, offers the following advice to prospective International Politics students: Before undertaking your studies in International Politics at City you would gain a head start by becoming lightly familiar with the international politics literature by dipping in to one or two of the classic texts and theorists: Thucydides, Machiavelli, Hobbes or Rousseau; or trace liberal thought through Kant; and glance at the English School with Grotius; or tackle Marxist and postmodern approaches. At the same time keep apace of contemporary political developments by reading The Economist, Foreign Policy, Open Democracy and listening as much as possible to the BBC World Service or Radio 4 s The World Tonight at 10pm each week night. Finally, download the prospectus and familiarise yourself with the interests of international politics staff and their publications. City University London Undergraduate Courses in International Politics page 12
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES City University London Northampton Square London EC1V 0HB Find out more now at city.ac.uk/ intpol/ug Phone +44 (0) 20 7040 8502 Email socsciug@ city.ac.uk 98% 10th for graduate employability, according to the Times Good University Guide (2011) of International Politics students say the course is intellectually stimulating, according to the 2011 National Student Survey DESIGN: PS LONDON www.pslondon.co.uk 57% International Politics undergraduates at City are from outside the UK 0.6miles distance from City to the nearest NGO, Amnesty International The information in this leaflet is correct at the time of going to press. The University reserves the right, arising from unforeseen events or circumstances beyond our control, to add or remove courses and to make changes in regulations, syllabuses, course options and modules, fees etc without prior notice. Fees quoted are for one year only. Complaints concerning the accuracy of information provided by the University in this leaflet and in related course brochures should be made to the Academic Registrar. Any complainants who feel their complaints have not been dealt with satisfactorily may write to the Higher Education Quality Assurance Agency.