Department of International Politics Undergraduate studies in International Relations and Politics 1 Contents Welcome Welcome p.1 Welcome to the world’s first Department of International Politics. Our courses p.3 Studying through the medium of Welsh p.14 The study of International Politics is as seventh in the UK for satisfaction with indispensable for understanding a rapidly teaching in the subject of Politics (Guardian Research p.15 changing world. In a time of political and League Table 2019). Aberystwyth University Parliamentary and Assembly placement scheme p.16 ideological uncertainty, social and economic was also named University of the Year for transformation and increasingly diverse forms teaching quality by The Sunday Times Good Crisis Games p.18 of conflict and violence, everyone has a stake University Guide in both 2018 and 2019. Student societies and events p.20 in how these crucial global challenges are confronted. The Department’s teaching and Our degree schemes provide an outstanding Student profile p.21 research remain true to its founding ideals: education and excellent preparation for a successful career. Some of our graduates Global opportunities p.22 • to seek greater security, peace and justice embark on politics-related professions such How to apply p.24 • in a disordered world. as those found in the civil service, local and national government, international A vibrant student community, working organisations, non-profit and NGO sectors, together with a dedicated staff of leading and the armed forces. Other graduates pursue researchers and teachers, provides a dynamic positions in journalism, the financial sector, environment in which to study international the legal profession, business, and teaching. politics across all levels from the local to the global. As a student in the Department you So if you are interested in exploring the will be well placed to gain a deep, diverse challenges facing international politics, do understanding of these challenges and how come and study it in the home of the discipline. we can manage them in the coming decades. All of us in the Department of International You will explore the big questions and Politics look forward to welcoming you in our concepts of our time, such as the changing Department. distribution of power, conflict, security, democracy, populism and authoritarianism, Patrick Finney climate change, inequality and sustainable Head of Department development, ethics, gender and human rights. The Department’s learning environment welcomes staff and students from all over the world, creating a lively interactive community that makes a vital contribution Important information to the department’s innovative research The programme information published in this brochure was correct GOOD GOOD that underpins new developments in the UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY at time of going to print (May 2021) and may be subject to change. discipline. The department is renowned for GUIDE GUIDE 2020 2019 Prospective students are advised to check the definitive programme providing excellence in teaching and research, WELSH UNIVERSITY information, including entry requirements, that is available on our demonstrated by both its position as a top-ten UNIVERSITY OF THE YEAR OF THE FOR TEACHING website before making an application, to ensure that the programme department for research in the 2014 Research YEAR QUALITY meets their needs. Excellence Framework and its position 2 3 Our courses International Relations BA (Hons) Core module list With integrated year in industry (642L) Below is an indicative list of core modules that you may Single Honours study on this course. With integrated year studying abroad (242L) International Relations p.3 First year: • Exploring the International: Central Concepts and International Relations and Climate Change p.4 International politics is entering a turbulent and fascinating era. The global Core Skills * • Behind the Headlines *. International Relations and Global Development p.6 order is being reshaped by the emergence of new powers and the increasing International Relations and Military History p.7 complexity of politics at the local, national, regional, international and global Second year: • International Relations: Perspectives and Debates *. Politics p.8 levels. Final year: Politics and International Relations p.9 • Dissertation *. Strategy, Intelligence and Security p.10 In studying International Relations at Aberystwyth, you will engage in debates about the key issues and most significant challenges in international politics in the 21st century. You will Optional modules you may select to develop your specialist interests include: Joint Honours p.11 study the concepts, practices, policies, histories and regions that are central to international politics as a discipline and explore the ways in which all these factors are undergoing radical • US Foreign Policy transformation. • International State Building • Justice Order and Human Rights Foundation Opportunities for International Relations students at Aberystwyth include: • International Relations: Perspectives and Debates • Economic Diplomacy and Leadership International Relations p.12 • participating in our renowned ‘Crisis Games’ - a 3-day role playing exercise in political, • Fear, Cooperation and Trust in World Politics economic and diplomatic manoeuvres which will develop your negotiation and • Contemporary Latin America * International Relations and Military History p.13 communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills • The Middle East in the 20th Century • taking part in our prestigious Parliamentary Placement Scheme, which enables you to gain • The Making of National Security Policy • The European Union: Politics, Policies, Problems* valuable experience working alongside an MP (House of Commons, Westminster) or an AM • Trade Wars and the Liberal Order (Welsh Assembly, Cardiff) for a period of 4-6 weeks during the summer. • Justice, Order, Human Rights *. Employability For more details on the optional modules available, Employability is embedded within all our courses. Our degrees provide a solid foundation see the current list on our website, or contact us. for a vast array of careers across a range of sectors. In a rapidly shifting global economy, our * also available partially or entirely through the graduates are adaptable and able to draw on a range of transferable skills, ensuring that they medium of Welsh. are always in demand. Our graduates have been successful in securing roles in the development sector; local and national politics; the Civil Service; Government research; social research; roles in the third sector such as with NGOs; work with international organisations; and journalism, for example. Key Facts Degree type: BA. UCAS Code: 142L (642L with integrated year in Duration: 3 years (642L and 242L are 4 years). industry), (242L with a year studying abroad). 4 5 International Relations and Climate Change BA (Hons) Core module list With integrated year in industry (37LF) Below is an indicative list of core modules that you may study on this course. First year: Climate change is the single most significant and complex challenge facing • Exploring the International: Central Concepts and human social, political and economic systems. International politics is key to Core Skills * understanding this complexity and confronting this global crisis. • Globalization and Global Development * • Climate Change: Impacts, Perceptions, Adaptations * • The Science of Climate. You will develop a distinct multidisciplinary approach to the international politics of climate change, reflecting on ways that states and societies struggle with managing the planet’s resources and Second year: ecological systems and developing effective political and societal solutions. You will also explore • The Governance of Climate Change: Simulation through simulations the experience of decision-making processes, negotiations and the politics Module * • International Relations: Perspectives and Debates *. surrounding contemporary climate governance. Final year: Opportunities for International Relations and Climate Change students at Aberystwyth include: • Dissertation *. • participating in our renowned ‘Crisis Games’ - a 3-day role playing exercise in political, Optional modules you may select to develop your economic and diplomatic manoeuvres which will develop your negotiation and specialist interests include: communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills • taking part in our prestigious Parliamentary Placement Scheme, which enables you to gain • International Politics in the Anthropocene valuable experience working alongside an MP (House of Commons, Westminster) or an AM • People, Progress, Environment: Theories and Histories of Environmental Politics (Welsh Assembly, Cardiff) for a period of 4-6 weeks during the summer. • Refugee Simulation • International Politics and Global Development Employability • Global Inequality and World Politics Employability is embedded within all our courses. Our degrees provide a solid foundation for a • Contemporary Security: Theories and Threats. vast array of careers across a range of sectors. In a rapidly shifting global economy, our graduates are adaptable and able to draw on a range of transferable skills, ensuring that they are always in For more details on the optional modules available, demand. Our graduates have been successful in securing roles in the development sector; local and see the current list on our website,