This is an exciting time to study Politics and International Relations. In 2024 almost half the population of the globe (including you perhaps) are taking part in national elections to decide who should lead their country at a time of real turbulence. We face many challenges with terrible conflicts in many parts of the world, increasingly visible impacts of the climate crisis and difficulties ensuring that everyone can afford energy and food and find secure employment. Some might find this uncertainty unnerving, but as a student of Politics and International Relations, I know you will thrive on finding different ways to analyse these problems and think about new approaches to improve our world.

The crises may change (at an accelerated pace it might seem) but we also keep re-evaluating those perennial questions such as how to strike a balance between liberty and security, what obligations we have towards one another, and how do fundamental limits to our personal freedom affect our democracy. Debates about the right to strike, or protest or offend, or the right to asylum or to live and work in another country are never off the agenda. Each generation needs to reflect anew on these questions and draw on the ideas of philosophers and political thinkers through the ages to inform their debates.

We pride ourselves on the warm, vibrant atmosphere and inclusive spirit of our courses and learning environment. Our team of expert lecturers will help you settle in; guide you through your different modules; help you shape your learning in a manner which dovetails to your interests; and, support you in developing your employability and networking skills, thereby ensuring that your university experience will provide you with a competitive edge in today’s demanding job market.

 

Social Media

You can discover more about us, our work and all our activities:

• on our blog Canterbury Politics and International Relations
• You can also keep up to date with what is going on in our Faculty and count down to beginning your studies with us by following us on Instagram

 

Over the course of the foundation year, you will take 6 modules, three in each semester.

Semester 1 (Sept-mid Jan) you will study:

• Contemporary Issues in Sociology
• Contemporary Issues in Politics & International Relations
• Academic Skills 1

In semester 2 (mid Jan-mid May) you will study:

• Contemporary Issues in Psychology
• Contemporary Issues in Applied Criminology
• Academic Skills 2

You will be assessed in a variety of ways including; learning portfolios, essays, reflective diaries, and academic posters. The academic skills modules will support you with these types of assessment and in developing essential study skills required at degree level.

Handbooks for each of the semester 1 modules will be available via Blackboard (the university’s virtual learning environment where staff post information relating to your course of study) when you start in September. These outline the content of each teaching session and the assessment requirements/deadlines.

Over the summer, please keep an eye on your personal email, and once pre-registered your student portal, for any further information that we may send to you.

The first time we will meet is the week commencing 16th September 2024. This is a welcome and induction week, where you will be invited to a number of activities to get you started on our course.

You will also be assigned (and speak with) your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT), who will provide you with academic and personal support and signpost you to other relevant departments for any additional help you may need throughout your time with us.

We know that choosing to embark on a degree course is a big commitment in time, energy and money and we assure you that we are fully committed to helping you to reach your goal….so enjoy and embrace your future. We will be with you all the way!

Your welcome and induction will be w/c 16 September 2024 - we look forward to meeting you then.

 

Community

On the social side, the Student Union (CCSU) has a huge range of clubs and societies – all of which have unique social calendars of their own and offer endless opportunities to make lifelong friends and discover new hobbies. And you can always create your own society and cultivate your own community!

CCSU will be hosting their Welcome Fayre on Wednesday 18th September 2024. Make sure you keep checking the CCSU website for further details and how to get involved.

We understand that you may be nervous about your first few weeks on campus but rest assured - you'll be joining a nurturing and supportive environment where diversity, equality and individuality are part of everything we do.

You can find out more about our welcoming community and making friends

If you are an International Student joining us then please see our International Student Support pages for further information and guidance.

 

We recommend that all students read a good quality newspaper – such as The Guardian, The Independent or The Times – every day to keep informed and up-to-date with global issues and national politics. There are lots of great political podcasts for you to explore too.

If you really would like to read further, why not look at some of our favourite political novels:

• Birdsong – Sebastian Faulks
• Darkness at Noon – Arthur Koestler
• The Dispossessed –Ursula Le Guin
• The Handmaid's Tale – Margaret Atwood
• 1984 – George Orwell
• Americanah – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• Brave New World – Aldous Huxley
• Jingo - Terry Pratchett

There are also some very interesting non-fiction books available for you to read. It’s up to you to decide how credible their arguments are. As you will discover on our course, we like you to read a wide variety of materials without necessarily endorsing their ideas. The aim is to get you thinking! Here are a few suggestions:

• Silent Spring - Rachael Carson
• The Silk Roads: A New History of the World – Peter Frankopan
• Mother of Invention: Katrine Marcal
• PostCapitalism: A Guide to Our Future – Paul Mason
• The Establishment: And how they get away with it – Owen Jones
• Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race - Reni Eddo Lodge
• Nudge: improving decisions about health, wealth and happiness - Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein
• Feminism Interrupted - Lola Olufemi

Pre Course Reading

Psychology

• Martin, G. N., Carlson, N. R., & Buskist, W. (2019).Psychology (6th Edition). Harlow. England: Pearson

Politics

• Edkins, J., Zehfuss. M. (2019). Global Politics: An Introduction, Abingdon: Routledge

Sociology

• Cant, S., and Hardes, J. (2021). How to be a Sociologist. London: Collins

Applied Criminology

• Burke, R. (2014) An Introduction to Criminological Theory. Abingdon: Routledge.

Academic Skills

• Cottrell, S (2019). The Study Skills Handbook Palgrave MacMillan, Basingstoke [Primary]
• Crème, P. & Lea, M. (2008). Writing at University: A guide for students (3rd ed). Maidenhead, UK: Open University Press.

Whilst all textbooks will be available from our University library, it is useful to note that the University Bookshop offers 10% discount on most titles in print and have some price-beating book bundles. They also price match Amazon on core texts recommended in the module handbooks you will receive when you start in September.

Additional Resources:

• British Psychology Society
• The Psychologist
• Crash Course Introduction to Psychology
• Politics: Crash Course to Sociology
• BBC Politics
• British Society of Criminology
• Criminal Justice System Online
• Home Office
• Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge