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Introduction to Politics: Part 1

Key information

  • Module code:

    4AAOB113

  • Level:

    4

  • Semester:

      Autumn

  • Credit value:

    15

Module description

The aim of this module is to provide first-year students with a grasp of the main conceptual approaches, schools, methods, and sub-disciplines in Politics. All the course contents are framed and taught with reference to contemporary European politics and political systems. The module gives students the toolkit and ability to problematise and reflect critically on common-sense assumptions and understandings of political institutions and processes, and provides a foundation for the analytical skills they will require in subsequent years of the European Studies/Politics degrees or the Liberal Arts programme.

The first semester will cover the nature of politics and power; some of the key concepts, categories and debates in political science, the key approaches to the study of politics and the key perspectives in international relations/international political economy.

The module focuses on institutions, processes and political actors in modern Europe. While most of the course will be devoted to discussing political developments in Western Europe, both Eastern Europe and the EU political system will also be considered.

Assessment details

One 2,000 word essay (100%).  A practice essay could be submitted to the convenor by reading week in semester 1.

Teaching pattern

Two hours per week, one lecture and one seminar 

Indicative teaching schedule

Semester 1 - Politics: Concepts, Approaches and Methods
Week 1: Introduction – Politics: A Contested Terrain
Week 2: Power: a Key Concept
Week 3: The State as a Political and Constitutional Form
Week 4: Democracy and its Critics
Week 5: Political Ideologies
Week 6: Feminism and the State
Week 7: The International System of States
Week 8: Critical Approaches to Global Politics
Week 9: Globalization and International Political Economy
Week 10: An Introduction to Research Methods

Suggested reading list

Garner, R.; Ferdinand, P. and S. Lawson (2016) Introduction to Politics (Oxford: Oxford University Press) 3rd ed.

For the first part of the module, this is also an excellent textbook – although not always easy to read:

  • Marsh, D. and Stoker, G. (2010) Theories and Methods in Political Science(Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan) 3rd ed.

For the second part of the module, you may want to look at:

  • Caramani, D. (ed.) (2017) Comparative Politics (Oxford: Oxford University Press) 4th edition

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.