Welcome to Political Analysis (Pol105). This module aims to teach students how to think about politics. Its content is thematically grouped around three themes: what is politics? What is power? And what is the state? Each of these themes feature classic debates in political science and also raise some of the most fundamental issues about the way in which political life operates. Is power exercised only in a clash of wills, or is power about shaping the very content of these wills in the first place? Is the state penetrable by a wide variety of agents and interests in society, or is it structurally dominated by particular classes? These theoretical debates will be applied to the analysis of causes and effects of political and economic inequality in the USA (Semester A) and the relative power of US Energy corporations versus Environmental interests groups (Semester B).
A further purpose of the module is to help students develop skills that will help them succeed in their studies and beyond, particularly the ability to read, think and write analytically and critically. Guided by their seminar tutors, we hope that students will develop the confidence and ability to deconstruct and critique scholarly arguments and to clearly articulate their own emerging ideas. Students will also be given the opportunity to develop their independent research skills by pursuing a self-selected project.
A further purpose of the module is to help students develop skills that will help them succeed in their studies and beyond, particularly the ability to read, think and write analytically and critically. Guided by their seminar tutors, we hope that students will develop the confidence and ability to deconstruct and critique scholarly arguments and to clearly articulate their own emerging ideas. Students will also be given the opportunity to develop their independent research skills by pursuing a self-selected project.
