Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL2026: Political Analysis: Behaviour, Institutions, Ideas

This module descriptor refers to the 2022/3 academic year.

Module Aims

To introduce you to the key approaches to the study of politics and to some of the main theoretical debates on the relationship between political action, structures and ideas. The study of these approaches will be linked to the development of key concepts and ideas in political research. More specifically, the module aims to provide you with an introduction to the nature, limitations and possible applications of various ways of studying political behaviour, political relations and institutions, and political ideologies and values.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. identify, categorise and explain the basic nature, limitations and the study of politics;
2. assess and judge a range of approaches to the study of politics;
Discipline-Specific Skills3. identify and discuss the major concepts in Politics and IR and deploy them in appropriate circumstances;
4. engage in sympathetic interpretation and reasoned criticism of theories and approaches in Politics and IR;
5. use logic and reasoning to evaluate arguments about Politics and IR;
6. construct well-structured rigorous political arguments based on logical deduction;
Personal and Key Skills7. communicate effectively;
8. research and critically evaluate information;
9. apply techniques and theories in appropriate contexts.