Philosophy, Politics and International Relations (BA)

Our aim is to support you to become an independent, creative, and critical thinker.

First year teaching provides carefully structured support through lectures and seminar discussions to help you develop key skills and gain confidence. Seminars provide an opportunity to ask questions and discuss key ideas in a small group environment. This helps you to integrate the information and ideas you receive from lectures and readings and to explore issues critically and in depth.

By the final year, you’ll learn through guided independent reading and smaller interactive workshops and seminars, discussing new research with internationally recognised academics who are currently working in that area. You’ll have access to all course materials through our electronic learning environment.

In this supportive environment, you’ll develop your abilities to closely analyse texts and arguments, collaboratively work through problems, construct your own original arguments, and present your ideas clearly to others.  

How will I be supported?

Your main sources of support are your module leaders and your Personal Tutors. You’ll have one Personal Tutor in philosophy and one in politics. Personal Tutors can advise you on academic matters, including study skills, careers, and your academic progress, as well as on pastoral matters and you’ll be invited to meet with your Personal Tutor regularly throughout the degree. They’ll also provide a first point of contact if you experience any difficulties. If you’re a Welsh-speaking student, you’ll have access to a Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor if you choose. Your module leaders have drop-in sessions during teaching weeks that you can attend if you have any questions about course materials or assessments.

The Writing Development Centre provides specialist support for academic writing. You can access online materials, workshops, and one-to-one meetings about any aspect of academic writing to support you with your assessments.

As part of your learning, use will also be made of Learning Central, the University’s Virtual Learning Environment.

Our Undergraduate Teams provide academic and student support and are there to help you with information and guidance if you have any queries. In addition, the University offers a range of support services and events to help you plan your career, manage your emotional, mental and physical health, support you with financial issues, and provide assistance for students with disabilities. These services are located at the University’s Centre for Student Life. Libraries, study spaces and other resource centres will all be available to you.

Feedback

You’ll regularly receive feedback on your progress. Oral feedback in lectures, workshops and seminars will help you assess your understanding of the course material and your critical responses to it. You’ll receive formative comments on essay ideas, and detailed feedback on all marked coursework. If you undertake a dissertation module, you will receive regular feedback on your project from your supervisor.

How will I be assessed?

The programme structure progressively develops your academic study and independent research skills

Your assessments will ensure youdevelop key skills in communication, collaboration, critical thinking and reflection. They include critical analyses of texts and primary documents, writing briefings, essays, exams, quizzes, presentations, group discussion assessments, and reflective assessment of your own skills. Optional modules can offer a wider variety of assessments, including writing for a public audience, or commenting on artwork or a media piece.

In the final year in philosophy, you’ll take part in a large collaborative project that involves writing and presenting for a professional audience.

What skills will I practise and develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will achieve by the end of your programme at Cardiff University and identify the knowledge and skills that you will develop. They will also help you to understand what is expected of you.

On successful completion of your Programme you will be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

• Critically evaluate some of the central theories and arguments, and their applications, in moral, social, or political philosophy.
• Critically evaluate some of the central theories and arguments, and their applications, in epistemology, philosophy of language, or philosophy of mind.
• Critically analyse theories and arguments from contemporary philosophical work, including intersections of different areas of philosophy or interdisciplinary research.
• Apply philosophical research by drafting policy or strategy documents, or action recommendations, in response to a real-world ethical or social problem of contemporary societal concern.
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of core concepts and theories in both politics and international relations. Examples of these concepts and theories include sovereignty, power, governance, justice, human rights, and diplomacy.
• Analyse the evolution and functions of various political institutions across a range of settings.
• Examine how globalisation and transnational issues (e.g., climate change, migration, terrorism) influence both domestic and international political agendas.
• Demonstrate an understanding of political and policy-making processes and their impacts both within individual states and/or the international relations between states and non-state actors.

Intellectual Skills:

• Explain complex and specialised philosophical and political claims and arguments.
• Construct arguments that support a claim in response to philosophical or political questions.
• Apply standard techniques of critical analysis to evaluate philosophical or political claims and arguments.
• Employ relevant and effective research techniques.

Professional Practical Skills:

• Communicate complex information, concepts, and arguments to both specialist and non-specialist audiences in different formats appropriate to different purposes.
• Utilise appropriate digital media effectively as a source of information, a means of communication, and an aid to learning.
• Contribute in a collaborative manner to discussions and team projects.
• Demonstrate an awareness of the ethical considerations and challenges faced in philosophical, political and international relations research and practice.
• Articulate and evaluate your own academic and professional skills.

Transferable/Key Skills:

• Respond to problems creatively, critically and independently.
• Implement task instructions and manage workload effectively to meet deadlines.
• Develop intercultural awareness and communication skills by engaging with diverse philosophical and political viewpoints and perspectives from around the world.
• Deliver and act on constructive feedback.