A degree in Politics gives you a flexible qualification for the 21st century, providing you with sought-after analytical and practical skills in research, communication and IT.

Politics is available in all three years of the BA degree, and you may study it as a single, major, or joint honours subject.

Politics is built around three pillars with contributions from the Department of Government, the School of History and the Department of Philosophy.

Year 1 Modules:

PO1001 Introduction to Politics (15 credits); Politics in Ireland;  International Politics and Key concepts in Political Theory

Year 2 Modules:

Core:

PO2001 Political Analysis

Electives:

Comparative European Politics; USA Politics; Elections and Voting; Feminist Philosophy; An Introduction to Political Philosophy; Conflict and Conflict Resolution; Chinese Politics; Northern Ireland;  Applied Ethics; Mediterranean Politics;  Political Economy-Trade; Gender Perspectives on Politics; Knowledge and Reality;  Violence and War;  Citizen Participation; The European Union and the International System; EU: Political and Institutional Development;  Chinese Philosophy, 1989 Revolutions:  Poland & East Central Europe - transition to Democracy;  Model European Union; Ancient Philosophy;  Capitalism & Welfare; History of Philosophy.

Year 3*/4 Modules:

Core:

PO3001  Dissertation

Electives:

Ireland and International Relations; Global Governance; Professional Ethics;  International Relations;  Issues in Irish Politics; Moral Psychology; Nuclear Politics and Proliferation; The Politics of Church and State;  Contemporary Ecological and Anti-Capitalist Politics; Soviet Communism in World Politics;  Politics in Northern Ireland; Contemporary Debates in Ireland;  Political Philosophy in Theory and Practice; Political Ideologies and Social Change; Moral Responsibility;  Democracy: Theories and Innovations;  European Security, Identity & Displacement, History of Philosophy.

*BA International students spend third year studying in an approved foreign university in a country of the student's major language or subject. They will return to complete their final year in UCC in year 4.

See the College Calendar for additional information on the Programme and the Book of Modules for further information on modules.

Refer to CK101 and CK108.

Refer to CK101 and CK108. Students choose Arts subjects when registering for first year. 

Diverse assessment techniques are used throughout the politics programme. Many modules are assessed exclusively through continuous assessment while a small number retain an end of semester written exam.

Core research and communication skills are developed through traditional methods such as reviews, in-class tests and essays but assessments also include more practical and innovative methods such as:

• poster design
• policy reports
• individual and group presentations
• social media analysis reports
• participation in negotiation simulation exercises designed around international institutions
• writing opinion editorials and completing funding applications

The varied assessment profile is designed to ensure that you acquire diverse skills during your degree.

Lecturers from the three participating units – Department of Government and Politics, the School of History and the Department of Philosophy – teach on the Politics course.