BA Politics
SOAS University of London
Key Information
Campus location
London, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 9,250 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* full-time fees per academic year: UK £9,250; Overseas £20,350
Introduction
Mode of Attendance: Full-time
The BA in Politics seeks to give students an excellent grounding in the discipline of Politics with a particular focus on Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Students will be introduced to the core subjects of political theory, comparative politics, political economy, and international relations, which are then applied to the analysis of real-world political situations. Through a mix of disciplinary and regional training, students will develop a critical understanding of contemporary geopolitics, transnational social movements, as well as political developments and governance structures in particular countries.
While anchored in the academic field of political science, the programme employs interdisciplinary perspectives on pressing issues of the modern world and offers a wide variety of thematic modules on the politics of culture, nationalism, race, gender, migration, institutions, environmental justice, conflict and war. This range of options helps students to gain a critical understanding of political dynamics in Asia, Africa and the Middle East while acquiring practical analytical and communications skills.
Gallery
Admissions
Curriculum
Structure
BA Politics is a three-year degree programme. Students have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of disciplinary units. In addition, students have the option of taking ‘open’ modules offered by any other SOAS department.
Year 1
Core Modules
Students will take the following 3 core modules (90 credits total):
- Introduction to Political Analysis
- Introduction to Comparative Politics
- Introduction to Political Theory
Optional Modules
Students will take ONE of the following modules OR modules to the value of 30 credits from the Language Open Options list.
- Introduction to Political Economy
- Introduction to Global History
- Introduction to International Relations
Year 2
Students will take the module 'Introduction to Research Methods (15 credits) alongside a minimum of 30 credits each from the Year 2 Disciplinary Modules AND Year 2 Regional Modules lists below.
Remaining credits taken from Second Year Option list OR a maximum of 30 credits the Open Option lists (Language Open Options | Non-language Open Options)
Disciplinary Modules
- Performance and Politics
- Political Parties and Elections
- Concepts in Political Theory
- Politics of development
- Politics of Nationalism
Regional Modules
- Government and politics of China
- Government and politics of South Asia
- Government and politics of the Middle East
- Government and Politics of Island Southeast Asia
- Government and Politics of Mainland Southeast Asia
- The state and politics in Africa
- African Political Thought
Further Options
- International Relations of East Asia
- International Relations of Africa
- International Relations of the Middle East
- Postcolonial theory
- International Relations of South Asia
Year 3
Students will take a minimum of 45 credits from List A AND a minimum of 15 credits from List B.
Any remaining credits to be taken from List C. Students may also take a maximum of 30 credits from the Open Option lists (Language Open Options | Non-language Open Options)
List A
- Politics of Gender
- Politics of the "Miracle" Economies
- Conflict, Rights and Justice
- South Asian Political Thought
- Elections, Gender and Social Movements in Taiwan
- Republicanism, empire and revolution
List B
- Globalisation and global governance
- Taiwan's International and Cross-Strait Relations
- Identity in International Relations
- Palestine/Israel and the International
- Going Global: An Introduction to International Migration
- Decolonising World Politics
- Environment and Climate Crisis
- Key Debates on Neoliberalism
- Final Year Project in Politics
List C
- African Political Thought
- Government and Politics of Mainland Southeast Asia
- Government and politics of South Asia
- Postcolonial theory
- Globalising East Asia
- Government and politics of the Middle East
- Government and politics of China
- Government and Politics of Island Southeast Asia
- The state and politics in Africa
- International Relations of Africa
- International Relations of the Middle East
Important notice
The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. If you are a current student you can find structure information on the previous year link at the top of the page or through your Department.
English Language Requirements
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