Contemporary Democratic Politics
(MA) Contemporary Democratic Politics
Entry for 2026
FHEQ level
This course is set at Level 7 (Masters) in the national Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.
Course learning outcomes
Demonstrate systematic and critical understanding of how current problems and insights linked to political, economic, technological and environmental changes shape and challenge the study of British Politics, Comparative Politics, Political Economy and Political Theory.
Deploy advanced concepts, theories and methods relevant to political research to analyse local and global political issues, events and processes independently and originally.
Draw from experiential learning to creatively mobilise scholarly insights and frameworks for political problem-solving.
Design, plan and execute independent research using primary and secondary data.
Formulate evidence-based arguments by assessing, processing and analysing a wide variety of sources.
Demonstrate global awareness, sensitivity to complexity and uncertainty in the absence of complete data and responsibility in discussing, analysing and communicating findings about political issues.
Communicate arguments and positions with clarity and depth via different media and tailored to different audiences.
Act effectively autonomously and as part of a team in working towards a goal.
Continuously advance their own knowledge, understanding and skills in increasingly dynamic social and professional environments.
Apply critical insight to the core debates and issues relating to the study of British Politics, European Politics, Political Economy and International Relations, spanning theoretical and empirical questions.
Synthesise understanding of different political systems, the nature and distribution of power, the social, economic, historical and cultural contexts within which they operate, and the relationships between them.
Deploy appropriate advanced concepts, theories and methods relevant to political research in the analysis of political ideas, institutions and practices.
Reflect on a variety of theoretical approaches to, and commentaries about political issues and events in order to evaluate their efficacy in exploring challenges to democracy
Communicate arguments and positions with clarity and depth, tailored to different audiences.
Full-time course composition
| Year | Term | Status | Module | Credits | FHEQ level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Autumn Semester | Core | Democracy Today: Crises and Prospects (974M9) | 30 | 7 |
| Option | Capitalism, Democracy and Inequality (971M9) | 15 | 7 | ||
| Climate Change and Environmental Governance (977M9) | 15 | 7 | |||
| Democratizing Science and Technology (968N1) | 15 | 7 | |||
| Spring Semester | Core | Researching Democratic Politics (972M9) | 15 | 7 | |
| Core | Understanding Populism, Authoritarianism and Post-Truth (973M9) | 15 | 7 | ||
| Option | Activist Media Practice (868P4) | 30 | 7 | ||
| Making Democratic Politics Resilient (978M9) | 15 | 7 | |||
| Social Movements and Radical Democracy (976M9) | 15 | 7 | |||
| State Capture and Grand Corruption (868M9) | 30 | 7 | |||
| Spring & Summer Teaching | Core | Contemporary Democratic Politics Dissertation (970M9) | 60 | 7 |
Part-time course composition
| Year | Term | Status | Module | Credits | FHEQ level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Autumn Semester | Core | Democracy Today: Crises and Prospects (974M9) | 30 | 7 |
| Spring Semester | Core | Researching Democratic Politics (972M9) | 15 | 7 | |
| Core | Understanding Populism, Authoritarianism and Post-Truth (973M9) | 15 | 7 | ||
| Year | Term | Status | Module | Credits | FHEQ level |
| 2 | Autumn Semester | Option | Capitalism, Democracy and Inequality (971M9) | 15 | 7 |
| Climate Change and Environmental Governance (977M9) | 15 | 7 | |||
| Democratizing Science and Technology (968N1) | 15 | 7 | |||
| Spring Semester | Option | Activist Media Practice (868P4) | 30 | 7 | |
| Making Democratic Politics Resilient (978M9) | 15 | 7 | |||
| Social Movements and Radical Democracy (976M9) | 15 | 7 | |||
| State Capture and Grand Corruption (868M9) | 30 | 7 | |||
| Spring & Summer Teaching | Core | Contemporary Democratic Politics Dissertation (970M9) | 60 | 7 |
Please note that the University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver courses and modules in accordance with the descriptions set out here. However, the University keeps its courses and modules under review with the aim of enhancing quality. Some changes may therefore be made to the form or content of courses or modules shown as part of the normal process of curriculum management.
The University reserves the right to make changes to the contents or methods of delivery of, or to discontinue, merge or combine modules, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the University reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the University withdraws or discontinues a module, it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative module.