Politics and Philosophy BA

Program Overview

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This Politics and Philosophy BA program delves into ethical, political, and philosophical discussions, enabling students to analyze key debates and apply them to contemporary issues. Through lectures, seminars, and diverse assessments, students develop analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills, preparing them for careers in various sectors, including government, the private sector, and education. The program emphasizes real-world engagement through partnerships with policymakers and practitioners, providing valuable hands-on experience.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

This degree gives you the chance to really think deeper about some of the big debates going on in the world right now. You'll discuss questions of ethics, justice, legitimacy and human rights, and use your knowledge of philosophical and political theory to underpin your arguments. You'll learn about the thoughts of major figures such as Plato, Kant and Hegel, and analyse how these theories can be applied to current political issues.

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Outline:

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Title:

Politics and Philosophy BA course structure

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UCAS code:

LV25

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Years:

2024

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First year:

• Core modules:
• Political Analysis 1: An Introduction to Research and Scholarship (20 credits)
• Writing Philosophy (20 credits)
• Ethics and Society (20 credits)
• Mind and World (20 credits)
• Reason and Argument (20 credits)
• Optional modules:
• British Politics (20 credits)
• Introduction to Comparative Politics (20 credits)
• Introduction to Global Political Economy (20 credits)
• Introduction to Western Political Thought (20 credits)
• Planet Politics (20 credits)
• The World's Wicked Problems (20 credits)
• Thinking Politically: Key Concepts (20 credits)
• Death (10 credits)
• Ethics in Antiquity: East and West (10 credits)
• History of Philosophical Ideas (10 credits)
• LGBTQ [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer] Studies (10 credits)
• Philosophy of Religion (10 credits)
• Philosophy of Sex (10 credits)
• Philosophy of Science - Why Trust Science?
(10 credits)
• Truth, Reality and Virtual Reality (10 credits)

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Second year:

• Core modules:
• Political Analysis 2: How to do empirical research (20 credits)
• Optional modules:
• Africa in the World (20 credits)
• Contemporary Security Challenges (20 credits)
• Chinese Politics (20 credits)
• Oppression and Resistance (20 credits)
• Political Theory in Practice (20 credits)
• The Politics and Government of the European Union (20 credits)
• The Political Economy of Global Capitalism (20 credits)
• The Left: Past, Present & Future (20 credits)
• Tackling the World's Wicked Problems: theoretical tools and applications (20 credits)
• The Making of The Modern Middle East (20 credits)
• Ethics: Theoretical and Practical (20 credits)
• History of Political Philosophy (20 credits)
• The Rationalists (20 credits)
• Feminism (20 credits)
• Formal Logic (20 credits)
• Environmental Justice (20 credits)
• Metaphysics (20 credits)
• Philosophy of Education (20 credits)
• Philosophy of Mind (20 credits)
• Philosophy of the Arts (20 credits)
• Religion and the Good Life (20 credits)
• Theory of Knowledge (20 credits)
• Political Philosophy Today (20 credits)
• Life Worth Living (20 credits)
• Bioethics (20 credits)
• Plato (20 credits)

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Third year:

• Core modules:
• Political Analysis 3: Independent Research Through a Dissertation (40 credits)
• Research Project 1 (20 credits)
• Optional modules:
• Animals, Ethics and Politics (20 credits)
• Britain and the European Union (20 credits)
• Britain in a New Age of Crisis (20 credits)
• Civilisation, Empire and Hegemony (20 credits)
• Corporations in Global Politics: Possibilities, Tensions, and Ambiguities (20 credits)
• Contemporary Issues in Latin American Politics (20 credits)
• Conflict, Violence and Security in Africa (20 credits)
• Cosmopolitanism (20 credits)
• Gender Politics in the Arab World (20 credits)
• Global Culture Wars (20 credits)
• Global Politics of Forced Migration (20 credits)
• Hunger in the Global North (20 credits)
• Legitimate and Illegitimate Violence (20 credits)
• Narcopolitics (20 credits)
• Parliamentary Studies (20 credits)
• Public Policy and Democratic Politics (20 credits)
• Party Politics: Competition, Strategies & Campaigns (20 credits)
• Peacekeeping, State-building and International Intervention (20 credits)
• Political Psychology: The Personal Side of Politics (20 credits)
• Practical Politics: How to Make Policy and Influence People (20 credits)
• Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict (20 credits)
• State and Society in China (20 credits)
• Terrorism, Violence and the State (20 credits)
• The Ethics of Political Leadership (20 credits)
• Understanding Elections (20 credits)
• War, Peace and Justice (20 credits)
• Advanced Political Philosophy (20 credits)
• Ancient Chinese Philosophy (20 credits)
• Feminist and Queer Studies in Religion, Global Perspectives (20 credits)
• Free Will & Religion (20 credits)
• Global Justice (20 credits)
• Bodies and Souls (20 credits)
• Ethical Scepticism (20 credits)
• Ethics and Belief (20 credits)
• Moral Theory and Moral Psychology (20 credits)
• Pain, Pleasure, and Emotions (20 credits)
• Phenomenology (20 credits)
• Philosophical Problems 1 (20 credits)
• Plato's Symposium (20 credits)
• Dissertation Project 1 (20 credits)
• Dissertation Project 2 (20 credits)
• Philosophy of Law (20 credits)
• The Science of Consciousness (20 credits)
• Topics in Social Philosophy (20 credits)
• Work Place Learning (20 credits)

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Assessment:

We understand that everyone has different strengths when it comes to assessment. We also use diverse assessment methods so that not only does everyone have a chance to thrive, but also hone key skills and gain practical experience to prepare you for your future in the workplace. Assessments include:

• Exams/quizzes
• Dissertation
• Short and long form essays
• Podcasts
• Editorial style writing
• Book reviews
• Policy reports
• Presentations and group work

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Teaching:

• Lectures take place in one of the large lecture theatres on campus.
These sessions are led by the module leaders, and are designed to provide you with core ideas, concepts, key reading and debates.
• Seminars are smaller group sessions in which you discuss and debate the content that you learned in your lectures.
You’ll prepare for seminars by reading materials, so that you can actively engage with other students and bring your own perspective and research into lively discussions.
• In some seminars, you may have the opportunity to do more practical based learning such as creating websites, videos, posters, podcasts and blogs, so that you can demonstrate how you can creatively communicate your research to different audiences, both independently and in groups.
• We have great connections with policymakers and practitioners from various sectors, and we often invite these external speakers into seminars to share their own experiences or insight on topics that you will be learning about in your modules.

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Careers:

The great thing about studying politics and philosophy as a dual degree is that you will gain a whole host of transferable skills and knowledge that apply to a range of different careers. Alumni have gone on to work in professional, political and administrative organisations across the world, in local, national, and international government, the charitable sector, education, the media, research and the private sector.

• Our staff and students use philosophy to engage with real world issues.
You will be able to use what you learn to make a difference in the community, through projects like Philosophy in the City, an innovative and award-winning programme that enables students to teach philosophy in schools, homeless shelters and centres for the elderly.
• Our students run a thriving Philosophy Society and the only UK undergraduate philosophy journal.
• You may have the opportunity to add an optional placement year as part of your course, converting the three year course to a four-year Degree with Placement Year.
• With our third year Work Place Learning module, you can spend time with an organisation from the Sheffield voluntary or private sector, gaining skills and experience relevant to philosophy in an applied setting.
You can also take part in the award-winning Philosophy in the City group, which introduces school children to philosophical ideas they can apply to everyday life. All of these experiences will help you build a compelling CV.
• Spending time abroad during your degree is a great way to explore different cultures, gain a new perspective and experience a life-changing opportunity that you will never forget.
• You can apply to extend this course with a year abroad, usually between the second and third year.
We have over 250 University partners worldwide. Popular destinations include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong.
• We're proud to be one of the UK’s top departments for research and teaching in politics and international relations.
• The Department of Politics and International Relations is based next to the Wave, the new home for the faculty of Social Sciences.
The Wave features state-of-the-art collaborative lecture theatres, study spaces and seminar rooms.
• Teaching may take place in the Wave, but may also be timetabled to take place within other departments or central teaching space.
Many of the University buildings are close together so it’s easy to walk between them and it’s a great way to get to know the city. They're active researchers so your lectures and seminars are informed, relevant and exciting. We'll teach you how to think carefully, analytically and creatively.
• Number one in the Russell Group
• 92 per cent of our research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent
• Top 50 in the most international universities rankings
• Number one Students' Union in the UK
• Number one for teaching quality, Students' Union and clubs/societies
• A top 20 university targeted by employers

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Please use 2024-25 information as a guide. £9,250Home students 2024 annual tuition fee £22,680Overseas students 2024 annual tuition fee