Courses and structure

First year

You take the following four foundation units valued at 30 credits each:

• Ideas, Ideologies and Conflicts is an introduction to political theory and an exploration of why central political ideas and concepts influence our understanding of the world around us.
• Political Economy and Public Policy provides an introduction to the main theories and concepts in economics, and to debates about major issues in public policy that are informed by economic analysis.
• UK and European Comparative Governance and Politics introduces the comparative approach to politics and government, in addition to building a foundation understanding of the politics and governance of four key members of the European Union: the UK, Germany, Italy and France.
• World Politics takes a critical look at the study of world politics, emphasising that there are different and competing perspectives on how to approach the subject, drawing on perspectives from both international relations and international studies.

Each unit is assessed by one essay and a two-hour unseen examination.

Second and third years

In the second year you must take at least one 30-credit Politics unit from a range of choices which currently includes:

• An(other) Japan: Politics and Popular Culture (30 credits)
• An(other) IR (15 credits) (subject to approval)
• Chinese Politics (30 credits)
• Comparative European Politics (30 credits)
• Contemporary International Relations Theories (15 credits) (subject to approval)
• Life: a User’s Manual (30 credits)
• Modern Political Theory (30 credits)
• Political Economy (30 credits)
• Themes and Issues in British Politics since 1945 (30 credits)

And at least one 30-credit Economics unit from a range of choices which currently includes:

• Africa in the Global Political Economy (30 credits)
• Political Economy (30 credits)

And a further 60 credits chosen either from the lists above or 30 credits from the list above and 30 credit unit approved from another department at Goldsmiths.

In your third year you are required to write a dissertation on a subject of your choice in the broad disciplines of politics, public policy and economics.

You must also take at least 30 credits from a range of choices which currently includes:

• Anarchism (15 credits)
• An(other) China (15 credits)
• Art War Terror (15 credits)
• Britain in the EU (15 credits) (subject to approval)
• European Union and Immigration: The Contours, Politics and Economics of New Policy Domain (15 credits)
• Nationalist Conflict and International Intervention (15 credits)
• Party Systems and Electoral Systems (15 credits)
• Politics and Welfare (15 credits)
• Politics of the African City (15 credits)
• Beyond all Reason (15 credits)
• Public Policy Analysis (15 credits)
• Discourse, Power and Politics (15 credits)
• Rhetoric and Politics (15 credits)
• Risk and Politics: Theory and Practice (15 credits)
• Technology and Political Mobilisation (15 credits) (subject to approval)

At least 30 credits of Economics units from a range of choices, which currently includes:

• Political Economy of the European Union (30 credits)
• New Radical Political Economy (30 credits)

And a further 30 credits chosen either from the above lists

Find out more about the units listed above.

To be awarded a degree in Economics, Politics and Public Policy you need to take at least 120 credits of politics units and at least 120 credits of economics units over the entire length of the degree.

Assessment

Most units in the first and second years are assessed by a combination of written essays and unseen examinations. In the third year, there is a greater focus on coursework, and a substantial dissertation on a topic chosen by you.

Skills and careers

Skills

This programme will develop you intellectually, and will enhance your transferable and communication skills – learning to plan your workload, to research solutions, and to express your ideas coherently.

Careers

Our graduates go on to a wide variety of careers. Some go on to postgraduate study or further training in law, accountancy, social work, business administration, or to specialise in one area of their academic studies, whilst others go directly into employment.

Recent graduates have found employment in administration and management; in various departments of central and local government; in finance, in the media; in research and computing; in voluntary agencies; in health, education and housing management; the probation service; in company management, and as lecturers and teachers.

• Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths
• Our alumni

About the department

The Department of Politics

Politics at Goldsmiths focuses on three key themes: conflicts, cultures and crossing boundaries. In tackling conflicts, clashes of ideas and nations. Our emphasis on political culture draws in politics from street-level upwards. By crossing boundaries, we reach beyond the study of Politics to many other disciplines. In doing all of this, we offer a number of exciting specialisms including Asia, Africa, and postcolonialism, as well as political theory and core aspects of British and European politics.

Why study in the Department of Politics?

• The Department of Politics was awarded an excellent 22 points out of 24 in the latest Teaching Quality Assessment of Politics and Economics.
• Our research strengths include Chinese politics, European politics, African politics and political thought, British politics, modern political and social thought, history of ideas, Marx and Marxism, the politics of health, international relations and public administration, the relationship between art and politics.
• You'll benefit from extensive computing facilities, direct access to the campus network, a wide range of packages, including SPSS, Microsoft Office, e-mail, Internet, and other software according to individual needs.
• We have research links with private and public institutions.
• We have external links with bodies including the Home Office, Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions, and representations on the Joint University Council, the European Commission and national bodies.

Staff

Find out more about the specialisms of staff in the Department of Politics.

Student profiles

"As a mature-aged student the decision to return to study after more than a few years out of education was a pretty frightening one. Coming to study at Goldsmiths has been fantastic – the incredibly diverse student body is a real advantage to studying here. The great array of perspectives, ages and backgrounds is a real advantage, especially in a politics course.

The support I’ve received from staff and students alike has made the difficult transition from the ‘real world’ of work to the world of studying quite an easy one. The course itself is interesting, and in many ways it’s quite a non-traditional take on the subject - which is both challenging and enjoyable."

Alistair, BA Economics, Politics & Public Policy