Politics and International Relations (Placement Year) BA (Hons)

This degree explores connections between political practice and theory and state and society using examples drawn from the most topical issues of global and local concern. In your first year, the modules Politics in the Modern World and International Relations: Theory and Practice will introduce you to some of the core themes concepts involved in the study of Politics and International Relations. Where possible, you will also be able to follow your own interests, choosing modules in either Politics or International Relations or another subject that complements your degree. You'll then move on to subjects such as International Relations Security and Sustainability, Politics of Development and Global Changes and Government and Politics of the United States. In the second and final ear students will be able to choose from a broad range of options, such as Politics and History of the Middle East; International Relations, Security and Sustainability; Politics of Development and Global Changes; Understanding Key Economic Concepts; Issues in Contemporary Politics and Philosophy. For more details and options, please see the PPR department website. You will have the opportunity to spend Year 3 on a placement with a public, private or voluntary organisation in the UK or overseas. This experience should boost your employment prospects and help you to decide on your career direction and the kind of organisation in which you want to work once you graduate. You will be doing a real, responsible job with all the satisfaction that brings. Applying for a placement is a competitive process and our Placements Team will support you in finding and applying for a suitable placement. The preparatory modules you will complete in years one and two are designed to give you the best chance of success in both your placement applications and the placement itself. One of the aims of the placement year is to enhance your understanding of the connections between theory and practice which could benefit your final year of study. Placements provide an exciting opportunity to build up experience and transferable skills, as well as to make contacts with potential employers, which can place you a step ahead in the graduate recruitment market. The University will use all reasonable effort to support you to find a suitable placement for your studies. While a placement role may not be available in a field or organisation that is directly related to your academic studies or career aspirations, all placement roles offer valuable experience of working at a graduate level and gaining a range of professional skills. If you are unsuccessful in securing a suitable placement for your third year, you will be able to transfer to the equivalent non-placement degree scheme and would continue with your studies at Lancaster, finishing your degree after your third year. The University offers a range of shorter placement and internship opportunities for which you would be welcome to apply. In your final year, you can develop your ideas on themes including Britain in the World; United States Foreign Policy since 1945, and Contemporary Issues in the Middle East.