All Political & Social Sciences

This course traces the developments, ideas and outcomes of three important revolutions of the modern period. It aims to compare and contrast the influence of each revolution on the development of history. Popular beliefs and notions of the rights of individuals, as well as political constitutions and the theories of Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Jefferson, the Levellers and Tom Paine will be studied. Attention will be paid both to how each revolution influenced and shaped the course of the others, and to the emergence of the modern age. The study trip will combine a visit to the Civil War museum at Abingdon with a civil war walk of Oxford.

Subject areas: History, Political Sciences and Social Sciences
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.

The Anglo-American Special Relationship [Autumn]

This course traces the evolution of the Anglo-American Special Relationship from the days of Churchill and Roosevelt through to the present day. We begin with an introductory session on the bases of the relationship - demographic, cultural, political, diplomatic, strategic, economic and historical. This is followed by seminars on the Special Relationship and the Second World War; the onset of the Cold War; the intensification of the Cold War; the Suez Affair; Peaceful Co-existence; Détente; the New Cold War; and the New World Order. We end with an overall look at the relationship, an assessment as to the extent to which it has been special, and a consideration of whether it has a future.

Subject areas: Political Sciences, Social Sciences, History and International Relations
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.

Europe: From Total War to Political Unity [Spring]
May also meet requirements for Government, History, International Relations.

This course aims to trace the evolution of Europe during the twentieth century from total war (1914-18, 1939-45) to prospective federal state, with the emphasis on the years since 1945. The course begins with geographical, historical and demographical outline of the evolution of Europe from Roman times to the late nineteenth century. We then focus on the impact on Europe of the two World Wars, which have been fundamental to developments in Europe ever since. We turn next to phenomena that were in large degree by-products of those wars, namely the fall of the European empires and the Cold War domination of Europe by the two Superpowers, the latter theme being covered by seminars on the onset of the Cold War and Europe's Cold War security architecture - military, political and economic - on both sides of the Iron Curtain. We then move on to consider why the USSR disintegrated and the consequences thereof for Europe. The culminating focus of the course is the emergence and evolution of Community Europe, including prospects for the twenty-first century.

Subject areas: Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Government, History and International Relations
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.

Modern British Political History [Autumn and Spring]

This course looks at the key political developments in twentieth-century Britain from 1900 to the present. It is designed to provide an overview of general trends and also an in-depth assessment of certain historical events which have impacted the political culture of twentieth-century Britain. The first part of the course deals with general themes in twentieth-century British political history, from the turn of the century to World War II. The second part looks at post-war society and traces the events that have led to the creation of a new British society as well as the continuation of past developments. Students will do specialised studies on various themes in British history such as the decline of the Liberal Party, rise of Labour, women's suffrage, the Irish question (including recent Northern Irish 'troubles') and the decline of the Empire. One recurring theme is the debate about a new Britain compared with a continuation of historical patterns. Students will have an opportunity to visit the Imperial War Museum or War Cabinet Rooms as well as the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London on their study trip.

Subject areas: Political Sciences, Social Sciences, History and Government
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.

Terrorism [Autumn]

Since September 11th 2001 understanding terrorism has become a major concern for both politicians and academics. This course examines terrorism in the context of international and national security. It proceeds by examining the motives of terrorist groups (ethnic, nationalist, religious, ideological) and the methods they use (bombings, hi-jackings, assassinations, hostage-taking). The different approaches to countering terrorism – political, law and order and military – are also examined. Attention is devoted to the psychology of those prepared to kill and die for their cause and the question of what distinguishes a terrorist from a freedom-fighter is addressed. Examples will be drawn from the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe and the Americas, with particular attention paid to the ‘new’ terrorism aimed at the West and the United States in particular.

Individual research forms a major part of the course and students will be required to prepare and present their findings to the rest of the group.

Subject areas: Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Government, International Relations, Government, History.
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.

Irish Nationalisms [Autumn & Spring]

This course examines the development of Irish nationalism, the struggle for Irish independence and the development of a separate identity in the north-east of Ireland. The major focus will be on the partition of the island, the relationship between the two parts of the country and the relationships between the United Kingdom and both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The role of violent Republicanism in the creation of the Irish Republic and in the consolidation of defensive unionist attitudes in the north will be considered. The post-1969 campaign by the Provisional Irish Republican Army in Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom, the response in the unionist community and the political changes which have resulted will be examined in detail. An optional part of this course will be a study trip to Dublin. While ASE subsidises this trip, students will be asked to contribute to their travel and accommodation expenses.

Subject areas: Political Sciences, Social Sciences, History, Government and International Relations
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.

Patterns of Power: Gender, Race, Class and Sexuality in Contemporary Society [Autumn & Spring]

Every theory which attempts to explain relations between people and institutions in contemporary society rests on a notion of power. But power is a much misunderstood concept, variously invoked as constructive, liberating, coercive and conspiratorial. It is used to represent everything from economics and the law to the influence of cultural norms and language – so how can we best understand it?

This course draws on a wide range of interdisciplinary sources, from the theories of Marx and Weber to Foucault, Bourdieu and contemporary scholars tackling the dominant issues of the early twenty-first century. It incorporates the major political and economic models of power, as well as recent theories explaining sociological trends such as the rise of individualism, risk culture, hypermediation, the therapeutic state and the possibilities and implications of new technologies. The course seeks to connect theoretical analysis to the full range of issues arising in today’s political, cultural and media contexts, and students are encouraged to critically examine examples from literary, political and popular culture.

Subject areas: Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Women's/Gender Studies and African-American Studies
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.

Comparative Law and Government [Autumn & Spring]

This course will consider and compare the processes of politics, law and government in the Anglo-American world. The contrast between the politics of a written and an unwritten constitution will be noted, as will the differences between systems of presidential and congressional law-making and cabinet and parliamentary government. We shall look at the two legal systems and how lawyers operate within them as political players and, in some senses, law makers, whether as judges or through tort claims. British and American political parties will be studied, and lessons drawn from the contrast in electoral organization between a federal republic and a devolved but unitary state. The local politics of cities and regions, and the role of personality in political life will be studied through a focus on particular administrations or candidates, with case-studies of the role of religion, rights, the armed forces, and tax in political campaigns illuminating some of the key differences. Britain’s position within the European Union and Commonwealth legal tradition will also be considered.

Subject areas: Political and Social Science.
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.

The Media in Britain [Autumn & Spring]

The media in Britain are unlike any other in the world. While the BBC embodies the rich history of public broadcasting in the UK, playing a role by turns colossal and controversial in modern British history, the national press is characterized as a ‘feral beast’, with daily and weekly newspapers offering an array of political biases to choose from.

This course surveys the history of the British media from the birth of newspapers to the rise of the internet, examining the cultural and political factors which have shaped it, as well as its influence on British life. We will tackle the issues of ownership and political interference, censorship and self-censorship, the peculiarly British culture of journalism, the representation of women and minorities, and the ways in which audiences have changed over time. Drawing on a range of disciplines from political science and sociology to history and cultural studies, the course will also ask students to apply theoretical knowledge to a wide range of contemporary news and popular media phenomena. The study trip takes us to the headquarters of the BBC in central London.

Subject areas: Political and Social Science, History.
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.

Talking Without Words: the Social Psychology of Nonverbal Behaviour [Spring]

We communicate with more than words alone: nonverbal behaviour conveys all sorts of information. Raised eyebrows might tell us that the other person is listening to us; the way someone is clenching his fists might convey that he is angry; a raised thumb that all is well. We have at our disposal a whole arsenal of gestures, many used automatically, without much conscious thought.

In this course we will explore different types of nonverbal behaviour, such as facial expressions, gaze, body movements, postures and gestures, looking at their various functions, such as the expression of emotion and the regulation of social interactions. We will be looking at the work of Paul Ekman, Michael Argyle and other researchers and theorists working in the field of nonverbal behaviour. To help our exploration we will also investigate actual instances of nonverbal behaviour, including occasions where nonverbal communication goes wrong - for example when illness distorts the nonverbal behaviour of one of the interaction partners (e.g. depression or Parkinson’s disease); or where cultural differences create misunderstanding.

Subject areas: Political and Social Science.
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.

War and Peace: Studies in International Peace and Security [Spring]

This course offers students a chance to study the more important of those great issues of universal impact collectively known as international peace and security matters. It begins with a consideration of the question of why conflicts happen: is the answer to be found at the international, national or individual human level? We then look at typologies of conflict: total war, limited war, conventional war, irregular war - guerrilla warfare and terrorism - and asymmetrical war. We also examine how conflicts affect societies and individuals, and at the ethical aspects of the subject: is there such a thing as a just war and, even if there is, should certain moral constraints still be honoured? The course also involves an examination of how humanity might achieve peace. Among the issues covered are: can peace be achieved through disarmament; armament; deterrence (conventional and nuclear); or by stronger international bodies? We conclude the course by projecting into the future: do present trends suggest humanity faces further conflict or will peace prevail?

Great Britain, the USA and Afghanistan [Spring]

This course traces and critically evaluates the evolution of Anglo-American relations with Afghanistan from 1839 to the present day. The first sessions will comprise a study of Britain's pioneering imperial role in the region, culminating in the first three Anglo-Afghan conflicts (1839-42, 1879-81 and 1919). The causes and legacies of the first disastrous Anglo-Afghan war, which culminated in the brutal annihilation of a 16,000-strong Anglo-Indian army in the frozen Afghan passes, will constitute the major primary source-based element. The still controversial roles of key political players such as the enigmatic American adventurer, Harlan, Victorian heroine Lady Sale, doomed diplomats Burnes and Macnaughten and Afghan leader Dost Mohammed, will be re-assessed. The course will go on to examine contrasting Anglo-American policies towards the Mujahaideen in the 1980s and the post 9/11 conflict with the Taleban. Local Afghan responses to recent Anglo-American interventionism, especially attempts at social reconstruction such as the introduction of human rights, the ‘liberation' of Afghan women, and the war against drugs, will be included as part of the overall interpretation and assessment process.

Subject areas: Political and Social Science, History.
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.

Northern Ireland Since the Good Friday Agreement [Spring]

The context and content of the Good Friday (or Belfast) Agreement of 10 April 1998 will be explored, together with the positions and expectations of the main political ‘actors’ in the process. Each student will then choose an aspect of the developing political scene in Northern Ireland for closer examination. Much of the material will be accessed from the internet, using media archives as well as academic, government and political party web sites.

Subject areas: Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Government, International Relations, History.
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.

CSRnetwork (internship) [Autumn & Spring]

This internship involves working with CSRnetwork, a leading social and environmental management consultancy. The company is based in Bath and advises large, multinational companies on corporate social responsibility issues. The team helps to develop and implement strategies, write reports and audit performance. Recent projects have ranged from designing stakeholder engagement guidelines for Vodafone to writing Toyota's North American environmental report. The intern will work as part of the team on current projects, gaining invaluable insight into the workings of a small, international practice. Open to all students with a genuine interest in environmental and social issues and/or wishing to pursue a career in business.

For general information on ASE Internships, please visit The Internship Programme.

Subject areas: Environmental Studies, Business.
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.

Julian House Homeless Shelter (internship) [Autumn & Spring]

This internship offers the opportunity to gain an insight into the complex issues relating to homelessness. Julian House is the leading provider of services to homeless and vulnerably- housed men and women in the region. In addition to its respite facilities the charity also manages several supported housing projects and other specialist services. In addition to seeing and sharing the organization’s work at first hand, there may also be opportunities to experience other strands of the charity’s work, including marketing, life skills training, mentoring and project management. Social science students are likely to find this internship particularly relevant, although applicants are invited from all disciplines.

For general information on ASE Internships, please visit The Internship Programme.

Subject areas: Social Sciences and Business
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.

The Big Issue Southwest (internship) [Autumn & Spring]

Inspired by Street News, the New York street paper, The Big Issue was first launched in the UK in 1991 and is now sold by homeless and vulnerably housed people across the country. A small, dedicated team of full-time employees and volunteers in the Bath office oversees the distribution of the Big Issue Southwest magazine, providing practical and personal support to vendors. Besides working closely with this team in their day-to-day duties, the intern will have an opportunity to help organize fundraising events, develop new services for vendors, and identify fresh business opportunities for the magazine locally. Initiative, good research and report-writing skills, as well as a responsible attitude, and an enthusiasm to work with vulnerable people, are therefore essential.

Subject areas: Political and Social Sciences.
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.

Liberal Democrats Office (internship) [Autumn & Spring]

This placement is a great opportunity to see what the day-to-day life of politics - at a local and national level - is all about. Don Foster, Member of Parliament for Bath, and his team offer the successful applicant ‘real life’ exposure to a busy working environment in which you will receive basic training, take responsibility, and contribute to the success of your placement. Your duties will involve responding to constituents’ problems and questions and may also include a day of ‘shadowing’ Mr. Foster’s activities in Westminster. This placement is likely to appeal to politics majors, as well as those from other academic areas who have a genuine interest in the mechanics of local and national government.

For general information on ASE Internships, please visit The Internship Programme.

Subject areas: Government, Political Sciences, Social Sciences.
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.

Manvers Street Baptist Church / Open House Centre (internship) [Autumn & Spring]

This internship offers the chance to be immersed in probably the most successful city centre church outreach engagement of its type in England. The people we help include parents with babies and under-threes, people with anxiety and learning difficulties, young people, and those who seem excluded from most social provision. You will work at the interface between the church/Christian faith and the issues facing those who live and work in, or visit Bath city centre, becoming a part of this community. Besides assisting with the day to day running of the Centre, there may also be opportunities to help with communications / marketing projects and to carry out useful research.

For general information on ASE Internships, please visit The Internship Programme.

Subject areas: Government, Political Sciences, Social Sciences.
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.

Museum of Bath at Work (internship) [Autumn & Spring]

The Museum of Bath at Work aims both to complement and act as a counterpoint to the many heritage attractions of the city, charting Bath’s fascinating commercial and industrial history, its development as a manufacturing centre as well as a tourist destination. Permanent collections include the contents of a local engineering firm, a hardware shop, a Victorian soft drinks factory, and Bath Stone mine. The museum also has a lively educational programme for schools and colleges, presenting regular lectures, dayschools and workshops. Besides general experience of a heritage attraction, including exhibition preparation, liaison with schools, archival research etc. the placement offers the chance to work on 'behind the scenes' collections management projects.

Subject areas: History, Political and Social Sciences.
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.